Folic Acid and Pregnancy

Taking the synthetic form of folic acid can help prevent birth defects called neural tube defects (NTDs). NTDs are defects of the spine and brain. NTDs take place in the first month after conception, before most women know they are pregnant. The two most common forms of NTDs are spina bifida and anencephaly. Babies born with spina bifida may be paralyzed or have many other problems. Babies with anencephaly do not develop a brain or have only a partial brain. These babies die before birth or soon after they are born. Up to 70 percent of NTDs can be prevented by taking folic acid before and during early pregnancy. Because the risk for NTDs is not totally eliminated by using folic acid, routine prenatal visits with a health care provider during pregnancy are still important.

Although it is not proven, folic acid also might help prevent heart disease, stroke, and colon cancer, and other kinds of cancer. Recent research suggests it also might help prevent high blood pressure during pregnancy.