When should pregnant women take folic acid supplements
Release time : 09/06/2025 09:30:03
Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin, and it is widely found in foods from both plants and animals.
Women planning to conceive and pregnant women both need to supplement folic acid. So, when should folic acid be taken? Folic acid supplementation should continue until the end of pregnancy.
Of course, some expectant mothers worry about whether they have been supplementing folic acid during the pre-conception period and whether it may affect their fetuses.
In fact, expectant mothers need not worry excessively about obtaining folic acid supplementation. This is because understanding the importance of folic acid in reducing the risk of abnormal fetal development does not mean that without supplementation, a baby will inevitably be born with developmental issues.
The first three months of pregnancy is the critical period for the development of fetal neural tubes. Pregnant women should supplement enough folic acid to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects and prevent the occurrence of anencephaly and congenital spinal defects in fetuses.
It is suggested that pregnant women with the conditions can take it throughout the pregnancy and lactation to benefit both the mother and the fetus.
Generally speaking, it is recommended to discontinue taking folic acid supplements after the third month of pregnancy.
Women of childbearing age should start to take folic acid 400 micrograms daily before pregnancy. The content of folic acid in the folic acid tablets should be 400 micrograms.
If you cannot accurately assess your situation, it is imperative to seek the counsel of a doctor.
It is best to consume folic acid after breakfast for half an hour to an hour, as morning or early morning are the optimal times for nutritional absorption.
There are two types of folic acid available on the market. One is 5 mg per tablet, and the other is a 0.4 mg per tablet.
Pregnant women should take a small dose daily, one tablet is enough.
Excessive intake of folic acid not only does not prevent fetal malformations, but may also mask the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, interfere with zinc metabolism, cause zinc deficiency or neurological damage in pregnant women.
If you do not get pregnant within three months after taking folic acid for three months, continue to take folic acid until you become pregnant.
What to eat for pregnant women to supplement folic acid, besides taking medication directly. Mothers can also increase the intake of folic acid in their daily diet, let's see which foods contain folic acid.
Vegetables: Carrots, Dragon Root, Vegetable Lettuce, Spinach, Tomato, Lentil, Grain Stalk, Mushroom, Broccoli, etc.
Fruits: strawberries, cherries, bananas, sour jujubes, hawthorns, pomegranates, lemons, peaches, oranges, plums, persimmons, kiwifruit, pears, hazelnuts, apricots, crabapples, grapes, etc.
Meat and eggs: animal liver, kidney, poultry, beef, mutton, and eggs, etc.
Nuts and seeds: Walnuts, cashews, chestnuts, almonds, pine nuts, wheat, wheat germ, brown rice, etc.
It is very important for pregnant women to supplement folic acid as it can effectively reduce the occurrence of neural tube defects in the fetus. So, how much folic acid should a pregnant woman take? According to expert advice, pregnant women should consume at least 400 micrograms of folic acid daily. Folic acid supplementation should start three months before pregnancy and continue until the full term of the pregnancy.
Pregnant women should consume foods and vegetables that are rich in folic acid, such as spinach. Spinach contains Vitamin C and folic acid, which can balance endocrine functions and relieve fatigue.
But oxalic acid in spinach can hurt the stomach. It should be boiled or soaked in milk to eat it, and also not too much, so you should take it in moderation.
Lotus root is rich in B vitamins, vitamin C, protein and a large amount of starch. It can be used to cool and heat the body.
When pregnant women experience sore throat, constipation, they can alleviate symptoms and help with bowel movements. It can also prevent nosebleeds and gum bleeding.
Chinese cabbage is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, minerals, chlorophyll and protein. It is good for oily skin, pigment imbalance, acne and rough skin. It is a secret weapon to keep beautiful during pregnancy.
In addition, there are also rich folic acid in green vegetables such as Chinese cabbage and leeks.
Fruits are some of the fruits that are rich in nutrients and are very suitable for pregnant women to consume.
Consuming pears can clear heat, reduce blood pressure, have the effects of clearing heat and promoting diuresis, moistening the throat, and reducing blood pressure. It can treat pregnancy edema and pregnancy hypertension.
The juice of citrus fruits is rich in citric acid, amino acids, carbohydrates, fats, various vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, iron and other nutrients. It is a food that pregnant women like to eat. And the fruit such as kiwi fruit, plums, strawberries, cherries, pomegranates, grapes are all rich in folic acid.
In fact, most of the nutrition in pregnancy is supplemented from daily staple foods.
Therefore, pregnant women can supplement folic acid in their staple foods.
Baker's yeast, bran, wheat germ, and brown rice are all high in folic acid.
Consumption of foods rich in folic acid not only can supplement the folate, but also has diuretic, blood pressure-lowering, and digestion-promoting effects. Pregnant women should consume more cereals during pregnancy.
Liver contains a large amount of folic acid, which can be consumed once a week by pregnant women in the course of pregnancy to ensure their body's demand for folic acid.
However, animals' livers contain a large amount of Vitamin A, which can be toxic when ingested in excessive amounts.
Moreover, the liver contains a large amount of cholesterol and bile acids. The most dangerous part is that the liver is a processing factory for animal metabolic wastes and exogenous toxins, and improper handling of food can cause various toxic symptoms.
Therefore, it is important to eat in moderation.
Pregnant women should pay attention to folic acid supplementation: Folic acid is a topic of great concern for many pregnant mothers, as it plays a significant role in the growth and development of the fetus.
Pregnant women should not blindly consume folic acid.
What should be noted when pregnant women consume folic acid? First, it is important to understand that folic acid generally does not have any side effects.
The biggest issue with taking folic acid is not the side effects of folic acid, but rather the excess intake. Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin and will not cause poisoning even if it exceeds the minimum daily requirement for adults by more than 20 times.
Any ingested folic acid is excreted in urine.
However, if the human body takes large doses of folic acid tablets, they may also produce toxicity.
For women planning to conceive or during pregnancy, a daily intake of 400 micrograms is generally recommended. It is advisable to refer to the instructions on various folic acid supplements for specific details.
1. Taking folic acid tablets can conceal the early manifestations of Vitamin B12 deficiency and lead to neurological damage.
Taking folic acid 350mg may affect zinc absorption and cause zinc deficiency, which can lead to fetal development delay and increase the incidence of low birth weight babies.
3. Taking folic acid tablets can interfere with the action of anticonvulsant drugs, causing seizures in patients.
4. In some patients, long-term and excessive intake of folic acid may cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as anorexia, nausea, and distension.
5. Excessive intake of folic acid may lead to yellow urine.
*The medical information provided in this text is for reference only.
In case of discomfort, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately for accurate diagnosis and treatment at a face-to-face consultation.