Taking a vitamin each day can prevent birth defects. Birth defects are problems that babies are born with. Women should take folic acid each day for a month before getting pregnant, and for the first three months of pregnancy. This will help prevent some birth defects.
What are the birth defects that might happen?
- With spina bifida, part of the spinal column does not form all way the way. It leads to damage of the spinal cord. By taking folic acid, women can prevent 40% of these cases.
- Cleft lips and palates look like open spaces in the top lip or the roof of the mouth. By taking folic acid, women can prevent 50% of these cases.
- Some types of heart defects may be caused by lack of folic acid.
It is a B vitamin that helps prevent some birth defects. Foods with a lot of folic acid are:
- fortified cereals
- dried beans and peas
- whole wheat bread
- peanuts
- wheat germ
- liver
- orange juice
- broccoli
- lentils
- spinach
What should women do?
- All women ages 15-44 should take a multi-vitamin each day with a 0.4 milligrams of folic acid. Women should take them one month before getting pregnant and for the first three months of pregnancy. Eating foods that have a lot of folic acid may help too.
- Women who have a family member with spina bifida, cleft lip or palate, or a heart defect need more help. They should talk with a genetic counselor. More folic acid may be needed. Only a doctor can test for this need. Do not take more than 1.0 milligram each day unless prescribed by a doctor.
