Every parent wants their little newborn to be smart and healthy. When I was pregnant, I remembered being advised by countless people to take folic acid during pregnancy but never really stated the reason for that. Actually, what folic acid does is that it prevents serious birth defects, and it is vital to consume the pills during the early stages of pregnancy.
Folic acid is actually folate, a vitamin B compound found mostly in leafy greens, oranges and enriched grains. Studies have shown that women who get 0.4 milligrams daily prior to conception and during early pregnancy reduce the risk that their baby will be born with a serious neural tube defect (a birth defect involving incomplete development of the brain and spinal cord) by up to 70%. This vitamin plays a huge part in cell growth and development, as well as tissue formation which is crucial in the formation of DNA.
So if you’re planning to get pregnant or just found out that you are, make sure you start taking folic acid as soon as possible.
(Source: KidsHealth, NutritionExpert)