Take folic acid without being pregnant?
Surely you know that pregnant women are recommended to take pregnancy vitamins in order to ensure the necessary nutrients for themselves and the future baby. What you may not have known is that it is important to start Take these vitamins even before you start searching for the baby.
And because?
Well, because from the moment you start taking the vitamins you have normal blood values and you have absorbed them well, a few weeks pass, that is, it is not instantaneous. It will also depend on several factors such as your Lifestyle, the nutrition that you have as a base, age etc.
In any case, if you are considering trying to get pregnant, It is recommended that you start taking a supplement with folic acid three months before starting the search for pregnancy.
The recommended daily dose for a woman looking to get pregnant is 400 micrograms per day, in this way it is sought to ensure that there are no defects in the neural tube that will form the spinal cord and prevents developmental defects.
What exactly does folic acid do?
Folic acid is a type of B vitamin, these vitamins are essential for the development of the neuronal tube of the embryo. It is important to have adequate levels of this vitamin at the time we get pregnant because The development of this structure (neural tube) occurs during the first weeks of pregnancy. So, if we wait to know if we are pregnant to take the 400 mcg of folic acid, it could be too late and we may not have enough folic acid.
Furthermore, we must keep in mind that the growth of the neural tube and the entire nervous system of the baby is not generated overnight, so it is important to take the recommended amount of folic acid each day, that is, be consistent in taking the supplement folic acid and thus have all the benefits of this vitamin already in the first weeks of pregnancy.
Fertilovit: the benefits of folic acid for couples seeking pregnancy
natural folic acid
Also remember that you can enhance folic acid and obtain it from your diet. Naturally, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables low in ultra-processed products and sugars is already a diet rich in folic acid. However, even if your diet is excellent, take folic acid to ensure optimal dosagea for pregnancy is a good idea.
Foods that are rich in folic acid
Foods that are naturally rich in folic acid are especially fruits and green leafy vegetables.The greener the better. The ideal would be to be able to enter the store and guide your menu according to the colors you see, the more color the better.
Some ideas would be chard, spinach, lettuce... but cereals are also rich in folate, although keep in mind that these cereals must be whole grains, not the ultra-processed ones that would not be interesting to consume for conception or for general health.
Other essential vitamins for pregnancy
Keep in mind that not only folic acid is important for pregnancy and neural tube development. There are many other important vitamins for pregnancy or to help with your hormonal balance and promote your fertility and menstrual cycle. A rich and balanced diet will provide you with all these vitamins and folate, but if you are going to take a fertility supplement, make sure that It not only contains folic acid but also provides you with other vitamins that can be beneficial. such as vitamin D, omega 3 DHA and EPA, inositol, vitamin C, zinc among many others. Ideally, you can personalize taking vitamins to your type of menstrual cycle and your characteristics as a woman.
If I am already pregnant, the vitamins should change
Depends. Folic acid must be constant throughout the search for your pregnancy and also during pregnancy and ideally, also during breastfeeding.
But it is true that The needs will change if we are looking for pregnancy, or if we are already pregnant. or if we are breastfeeding. Different doses are needed since the body will be at different times.
Therefore, a folic acid supplement for pregnancy is interesting if it contains other vitamins that also help you ovulate, your menstrual health, egg quality and to the implantation of the embryo.
The supplement during pregnancy will be more aimed at the entire development of the brain, neural tube, avoiding malformations and preventing any malformation of the spine such as spina bifida. Keep in mind that helping to prevent the defects that we have mentioned just by taking folic acid is a great advantage, so don't miss it and you can start taking folic acid a few months before looking for the positive.
In addition to folic acid, if you are already pregnant you can enhance other vitamins such as omega DHA for brain development and also taking probiotics that will help you have a healthy baby and a birth with the minimum risk of birth defects that we can. Avoid with correct nutrition and supplementation.
If I have been trying to get pregnant for a long time and I am not yet pregnant, can I stop taking folic acid?
If the desired positive is difficult to arrive, keep in mind that you can stop taking your supplements, to take a break for a bit. Not because you can't take them, but because you also deserve to disconnect for a few moments and not always be aware.
The ideal is that you have a healthy lifestyle, without toxins, with exercise and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. If you need it, consult with a fertility doctor and with a nutritionist to follow guidelines adapted to your specific case and find out why pregnancy could not have occurred.
If you are forgetful...
Remember to take your folic acid every day! It helps prevent neural tube problems and helps all women of reproductive age get pregnant.
Associate folic acid with a healthy pregnancy and try to make your supplement the most adapted to your general characteristics.
Remember, supplements are not substitutes for a normal balanced diet, and if you need it, go to a specialist to guide you towards conception.
