Importance of Folic Acid

All women of childbearing age, with even a remote chance of getting pregnant, should try to make sure they get enough folic acid. The reason is that many pregnancies are not planned. Many women don't know they are actually pregnant early in their pregnancies, and certain birth defects happen in the very early part of pregnancy. Taking 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day will help prevent certain birth defects that happen in the early part of pregnancy. If a woman begins taking vitamin pills in the second or third month of pregnancy, it may be too late to prevent birth defects. Folic acid may also have other health benefits for women besides preventing birth defects.