I'm planning a pregnancy how to drink folic acid. Folic acid when planning pregnancy. folic acid for conception

Folic acid (B9) is a water-soluble vitamin recommended for expectant mothers and couples planning to conceive. Consider how to drink vitamin B9 correctly, and when to start taking the drug.

properties of folic acid

Vitamin B9 has many properties that are beneficial for the body of any person:

• ensures stable activity of the hematopoietic system;
• participates in the synthesis and division of cells;
• normalizes the exchange of cholesterol, fats in the liver, vitamins;
• activates the exchange of nucleic acids, amino acids, serotonin, norepinephrine, neurotransmitters;
• restores appetite;
• normalizes the work of the digestive tract;
• prevents the development of atherosclerosis;
• accelerates the elimination of toxins and toxins from the body;
• regulates protein metabolism;
• reduces the risk of developing cancer;
• helps fight depression.

Benefits of Vitamin B9 for Future Parents

During pregnancy, the need for folic acid increases. B9 deficiency can lead to malformations of the fetal nervous system and other complications.

Symptoms of vitamin B9 deficiency in the body:

1. The occurrence of megaloblastic anemia.
2. The appearance of bleeding epithelial tissue.
3. Pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, enteritis, esophagitis).
4. Rapid fatigue, general weakness.
5. Headache.
6. Memory impairment, irritability, aggressiveness.
7. Permanent low-grade fever (temperature rise from 37.1 ° to 38 °), etc.

In the first trimester of pregnancy, all organs and systems of the baby are formed. A lack of vitamin B9 can cause fetal growth retardation and other pathologies:

• spontaneous miscarriage in the first trimester;
• intrauterine fetal death;
• delay in mental and mental development in a newborn;
• malformations of the nervous system.

In the first days of pregnancy, a woman may not know about her "position". Therefore, it is recommended to take folic acid in advance, at the planning stage of conception.

Vitamin B9 during pregnancy

Experts advise women to start taking the vitamin three to four months before the intended conception. Folic acid when planning pregnancy should accumulate in the body of a woman in an amount sufficient for the normal development of the unborn child.

Its deficiency can provoke such fetal pathologies:

• defects in the development of the brain (dropsy, hernia);
• abnormal lip formation (cleft lip);
• violation of the development of the sky (wolf sky).

Important! Conducted clinical studies have shown that taking folic acid during pregnancy minimizes the risk of developing these pathologies.

Taking folic acid when planning a conception contributes to:

• the formation of the "correct" RNA, DNA, which are responsible for the transfer of genetic traits;
• the assimilation of a complex of other vitamins necessary for the favorable conception of a baby and its bearing.

Folic acid is also important for the future dad. Vitamin reduces the number of defective spermatozoa, improves the quality of sperm, reduces the risk of gene mutation.

Foods containing folic acid (FA)

A large amount of FC is found in such products:

• nuts;
• seeds;
• greenery;
• liver;
• eggs;
• vegetables;
• fruits;
• beans;
• greens (parsley, dill, cilantro).

Important! Thermal processing of food products leads to a partial destruction of folic acid. Therefore, they are recommended to be consumed raw.

For an adult, the required daily dose of folic acid is 200 micrograms. During pregnancy, the need for vitamin B9 increases to 400 mcg per day.

Folic acid preparations

Some products are not enough to compensate for the deficiency of vitamin B9 in the body. Therefore, medication is recommended. They are divided into:

• preparations containing only folic acid;
• preparations containing several components: vitamin B9 and a complex of other vitamins.

Preparations and mineral complexes containing vitamin B9:

It is forbidden to take FC without consulting your doctor when planning pregnancy. Any medication should be taken under the supervision of a doctor.

You can check the cost of the drug at the pharmacy. Prices may vary by region.

All medicines with vitamin B9 are compatible with hormonal drugs (Dufaston, Utrozhestan), which are prescribed at the stage of pregnancy planning. But alcohol at the time of taking FC should be excluded.

When to start taking?

In preparation for conception, you should visit a doctor. After the examination and testing, the specialist will prescribe a folic acid preparation and a regimen for its administration.

The dose of folic acid is prescribed by the doctor, based on the individual characteristics of patients. An increased dose of the drug is prescribed to people who:

• have nicotine and/or alcohol addiction;
• adhere to strict diets;
• do not consume vegetables, herbs, citrus fruits in the right amount;
• suffer from chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• regularly take steroid (hormonal) drugs.

When planning a pregnancy, the dose of vitamin B9 is 400 mcg per day. In the first trimester of pregnancy, it can be increased to 800 mcg. With a significant deficiency of FA, the dose of the drug can be increased to 5 g per day.

How much to drink folic acid when planning a pregnancy, the doctor determines. It all depends on the health of the future parents.

An overdose of preparations containing folic acid is not possible. Vitamin B9 does not accumulate in the body. However, there is evidence of the occurrence in patients receiving FA in high doses, negative symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract (vomiting, flatulence, loss of appetite) and from the nervous system (irritability, irritability). In such cases, you should contact the doctor who prescribed the drug.

Who should not take vitamin B9?

Folic acid preparations are not recommended in the presence of diseases such as:

• bronchial asthma;
• malignant tumors;
• allergic manifestations;
• B12 deficiency anemia;
• severe kidney disease.

Sometimes taking folic acid preparations causes the following negative reactions in patients:

• vomit;
• nausea;
• heartburn;
• diarrhea;
• muscle spasm;
• pain in the intestines and stomach.

If adverse reactions occur after taking the drug, you should consult a doctor. He will change the dosage or completely stop the drug.

Responsible attitude to your health, planning pregnancy and following the doctor's recommendations is the key to the birth of a healthy baby.

Those who want to give birth and raise a healthy child, have gorgeous hair and nails, shine with beauty, cannot do without this amazing vitamin. Indispensable from birth to old age, it can enter the body with products, in the form of finished drugs. You need to understand how folic acid works, what is its benefit.

Benefits of folic acid

This water-soluble vitamin belongs to group B, comes from food, a small amount is produced by the body - often this is enough for normal functioning. Sometimes you have to take the substance to the required level in a synthetic form. Why is folic acid useful, why is so much attention paid to its quantity and presence?

Vitamin B9 - another name for this substance - helps to solve many problems. Its use helps:

• prepare for conception;
• give birth to a healthy child;
• improve memory;
• slow down aging;
• grow the child's body;
• alleviate the symptoms of menopause;
• relieve irritability;
• prevent the formation of blood clots;
• get rid of anemia;
• normalize the psyche.

It is equally bad for a person to have a deficiency of this substance or an excess. When a vitamin is deficient:

• fatigue comes quickly;
• hair loss begins;
• nails break;
• anemia occurs;
• increased thrombus formation;
• in women, symptoms worsen during menopause;
• in men, sperm motility is impaired;
• a child is born with pathologies.

In case of an overdose of this substance, unpleasant symptoms and serious consequences may appear:

• bitterness, taste of metal in the mouth;
• nausea;
• flatulence;
• vomit;
• diarrhea;
• increased excitability;
• deficiency of zinc, vitamin B12;
• growth of cancer cells;
• violations of the kidneys;
• mental disorder in the elderly;
• development of breast adenocarcinoma;
• occurrence of prostate cancer.

This vitamin is indispensable in solving issues of female beauty. Affordable price helps to use the drug in cosmetology, in addition to ingestion, for the preparation of masks and therapeutic solutions. The tool is used for:

• fight against age spots;
• counteracting hair loss;
• maintaining skin freshness;
• prevent the appearance of wrinkles;
• strengthening nails.

The action of folic acid

Although this drug is available, has a low price, it is indispensable for the body, it greatly affects its work. This vitamin has the following properties:

• takes part in active cell division - helps skin renewal, growth and development of the fetus;
• promotes the processes of hematopoiesis;
• protects the walls of blood vessels, preventing the formation of blood clots.

Equally important is the participation of vitamin B9 for the processes:

• DNA formation - the transfer of hereditary traits;
• carbohydrate, fat metabolism;
• increase immunity;
• synthesis of amino acids;
• the production of enzymes that counteract the formation of tumors;
• muscle recovery in athletes;
• production of hydrochloric acid;
• absorption of iron;
• exchange of adrenaline, serotonin.

Folic acid - instruction

The drug is produced in the form of ampoules for injections, tablets, is part of the complexes of multivitamins and dietary supplements. The vitamin is well absorbed, has compatibility with many drugs. How much should this substance be taken? Instructions for use of folic acid recommends a daily dosage for an adult of 400 mcg. It increases during pregnancy, the complex course of diseases.

Vitamin B9 should be taken as prescribed by a doctor - there are side effects, contraindications for use. Perhaps the appearance of a rash, itching, redness of the skin, bronchospasm. It is not recommended to use the drug in the presence of:

• iron metabolism disorders;
• substance intolerance;
• poor absorption of vitamin B12;
• malignant neoplasms.

Indications for use are:

• anemia;
• infertility;
• rheumatoid arthritis;
• gastroenteritis;
• atherosclerosis;
• mammary cancer;
• schizophrenia;
• migraine;
• osteoporosis;
• weakening of the intellect;
• menopause;
• preparation for conception;
• pregnancy;
• lactation period;
• depression.

During pregnancy

The period of expectation of a child is a huge change in the body. Why do pregnant women need folic acid, why is it necessary to take it? This is due to the formation in the first months of the systems and organs of the fetus. Vitamin B9 for pregnant women helps:

• tissue growth due to cell division;
• transmission of hereditary traits;
• development of nervous tissue;
• the formation of placental vessels;
• creation of the hematopoietic system.

How much vitamin does a pregnant woman need? The woman's body functions for two, and the dosage increases proportionally. It is very convenient that the drug has an affordable price - it is difficult to get the necessary portion of the substance from the products. The daily dosage for a pregnant woman should be 800 mcg. At this time, the drug is prescribed in the form:

• tablets;
• vitamin complexes;
• dietary supplements.

If there is a deficiency of vitamin B9 in the body, the woman and the child may have problems:

• violation of hematopoiesis;
• neural tube defects;
• tendency to thrombosis;
• decreased immunity;
• mental retardation;
• miscarriage;
• the birth of a stillborn child;
• congenital deformities;
• fetal oxygen starvation.

When planning a pregnancy

In order to exclude malformations, a woman needs to plan a pregnancy - start taking the drug three months before conception. This will help to accumulate the required amount for a period of increased stress on the female body. The dosage of folic acid when planning a pregnancy is 400 mcg per day, which will help to avoid complications.

For men

Vitamin intake is important for the male body already in adolescence for proper puberty. With its deficiency, problems with the nervous system and memory are possible. Folic acid is also important for men because it is responsible for the properties - the number, motility of spermatozoa. With a deficiency of the substance, infertility, the development of atherosclerosis are likely.

children

How much and from what age to give this vitamin to children, the pediatrician decides. The price of the drug is affordable, and the importance for the development of the body is enormous. To obtain the required dosage, a folic acid tablet for children is diluted with water, the required amount is drawn up with a syringe. The substance helps:

• body growth;
• creating immunity;
• organ formation.

Folic acid is one of the vital vitamins. As a rule, there is not so much of it in the usual diet, so vitamin B9 deficiency is far from uncommon. To replenish the balance, you need to know the correct dosage of folic acid and be able to properly use additional folates.

Vitamin B9 (medical name - folic acid) is one of the most important nutrients for humans, which is needed for many processes in the body. Folic acid helps cells grow, maintain the integrity of DNA, so the vitamin prevents the development of cancer.

In addition, folic acid is involved in hematopoiesis, helps the heart and blood vessels. By improving blood circulation, acid has a beneficial effect on immunity, improves the functioning of the nervous system and the general condition of the body.

BY THE WAY
Our intestines can produce folic acid on its own, but in very small amounts, so the bulk of this vitamin must come from food.

Reception features

Like any other drug, folic acid should be taken regularly. At the same time, consider its interaction with other drugs. For example, acid reduces the effect of phenytoin, therefore, its dose must be increased.

A number of substances reduce the absorption of folic acid by the body:

• Antacids
• cholestyramine,
• some antibiotics (sulfonamides, chloramphenicol, tetracyclines, neomycin, polymyxin)

Reduce the effect of the action can also:

• cytotoxic drugs ( Methotrexate),
• antibacterial agents (pyrimethamine),
• diuretics (Triamterene).

With this option, doctors prescribe calcium folinate instead of folic acid.

How to take for prevention

For prophylaxis, small daily doses of B9 are used: 400 mcg for adult.

Teenagers this dosage may be prescribed for the prevention of anemia, immunodeficiency, and physical retardation.

Women planning a pregnancy, it is recommended to use 1 mg of acid once a day for medicinal purposes for six months in order to reduce all kinds of fetal malformations.

When is the best time to take

"Folk" must be taken orally after meal, as indicated in all instructions for the drug.

The fact is that taking vitamins on an empty stomach can lead to irritation of the gastric mucosa: like other acids, folic acid increases its acidity. This provokes diseases of the stomach - gastritis, ulcers, etc.

If you take a vitamin while eating, food will be more difficult to digest, since the acid forms an insoluble complex with zinc.

Important: if you miss a pill, you do not need to take a double dose

Admission courses

To maintain optimal levels of folic acid in the body, a daily intake is necessary.

ADVICE:
It is better to drink any vitamins in the morning during breakfast, drinking plenty of fluids. So unabsorbed vitamin surpluses can be easily removed by the body

How many folic acid tablets per day should I take

The number of tablets depends on the mass of the active substance in it, since folic acid is now sold in different dosages.

Most often, pharmacies sell folic acid in a dosage of 1 mg. For medicinal purposes, you need to use 1-2 tablets. per day. Pregnant women - 1 tablet per day for prevention.

Folic acid and vitamin E: regimen

Vitamin E and folic acid - a couple of useful elements that complement each other. Most often, gynecologists prescribe this combination of vitamins to girls from the first stages of pregnancy or to those who are just planning it.

Vitamin E and B9 guarantee the full development of the internal organs of the child and the development of the central nervous system. Vitamin E is directly responsible for the reproductive system, increases the fertility of the girl, reduces the threat of miscarriage in the short term, and prevents the placenta from exfoliating.

When used with folic acid, the intestinal wall is strengthened, the mother's condition improves: working capacity increases, immunity increases, the nervous system is restored.

Optimal dosage:

• Vitamin B9 (folic acid) - 0.8 mg per day.;
• Vitamin E (tocopherol) - 0.3 mg per day..

Is it possible to drink folic acid without a prescription

Any pharmacy will tell you that this medicine is available without a doctor's prescription.

If you find yourself deficient in folic acid, then the smallest daily dose will not harm you, since the excess is excreted by the body on its own.

The best option is dietary supplements, where the composition already contains folic acid. Like vitamin complexes, dietary supplements contain many other useful substances.

ADVICE :
The daily volume of folic acid is determined by various factors: gender, age, lifestyle and body condition; Only a doctor can help you choose.

Despite the widespread belief that folate is easily excreted from the body and its overdose is impossible, it should be borne in mind that the vitamin has a number of contraindications:

• hypersensitivity to B9,
• malignant anemia,
• oncology,
• vitamin B12 deficiency.

Release form

Folic acids in pharmacies can be found in the form of powders or tablets (usually 1 mg, 25 and 50 pieces per pack).

However, there are other forms of release:

100 mcg

• the minimum dosage may be prescribed by a doctor for prevention;
• 100 mcg is how many mg: 0.1 mg

400 mcg

• dosage in tablets 400 mcg:
  1 tab. per day (if there is no deficiency), or half a tablet (1/2 tablet of acid) at a dosage of 1 mg per day - for children over 4 years old and adults as maintenance treatment; pregnant women to prevent fetal defects
• 400 mcg is how many mg: 0.4 mg;
• folic acid 400 mcg how many tablets:
  1 tab. a dosage of 400 mcg or a quarter of a tablet with a dosage of 1 mg is the recommended daily dose for women of childbearing age and during pregnancy.

800 mcg

• dosage in tablets 800 mcg:
  1 tab. or slightly less than 1 tab. a dosage of 1 mg is prescribed during pregnancy and lactation.
• 800 mcg is how many mg: 0.8 mg

1 mg

• dosage in tablets 1 mg:
  1 tab. for the treatment of anemia, pregnant women - from 1.2 to 2.5 tab. per day in the first trimester.
• 1 mg is how many mcg: 1000 mcg

4 mg

• dosage in 4 mg tablets:
  attributed when planning pregnancy. There is no need to be afraid of such doses: if the doctor has prescribed this volume for you, then you or your baby do not have enough B9

5 mg

• dosage in tablets 5 mg:
  adults 1 tab. per day for the treatment of beriberi, children - in smaller doses depending on age
• 5 mg is how many grams: 0.005 g

Dosage of folic acid for children

Folic carbon dioxide is necessary for the growth and proper development of the body, because the body's immunity is developed directly in childhood, the main life-supporting systems are formed, so it is important to give the child all the necessary vitamins for its construction.

baby

Infants are recommended 25 micrograms of folic acid each day. With normal development, the baby receives all the nutrients from mother's milk, but if the doctor has identified a lack of nutrients in the newborn, B9 is prescribed additionally. Often, folic acid is required for premature babies.

Teenager

At a transitional age, B9 is necessary for children for the normal course of sexual development: vitamin B9 helps the young body to establish hormonal balance. In adolescence, many face skin problems of the face and body: acne, pimples, redness. With the help of folic acid, you can fight redness and irritation of the skin.

For the prevention of vitamin deficiency, children at this age are recommended to use 150-200 mcg, this is half a tablet with a dosage of 400 mcg. But we must remember that if the body needs to be restored, then the therapeutic dose of acid is determined by the doctor.

schoolboy

Folic acid for school-age children from 6 to 10 years old is prescribed at a dosage of 100 mcg per day; from 10 to 14 years - 150 mcg.

Schoolchildren need vitamin B9 to regulate brain activity in order to help children cope with the study load and relieve emotional stress.

How much folic acid do children need: summarizing

Daily Value for Women

To maintain the balance of vitamins in the body, an adult woman needs to take at least 400 micrograms of folate per day.

In addition to the fact that vitamin B9 strengthens the body, normalizes internal processes and improves the general condition, folic acid (folka, as mothers like to call it) is of particular importance for women:

• beneficial effect on the reproductive organs,
• stops hair loss, rejuvenates and tones the skin;
• normalizes the hormonal background;
• reduces the symptoms of menopause;

How many times to take per day

Doctors advise taking folic acid (vitamin B9) like all other vitamins according to the scheme: 1 time per day, preferably in the morning, with meals. Drink a small amount of water.

Daily allowance for pregnancy planning

Pregnant doctors necessarily attribute folates. Normally, a woman should receive 400-600 micrograms of acid per day, this is half a 1 mg tablet.

Daily allowance for pregnant women

How many weeks to take folic acid?

Due to the fact that folates do not accumulate in the body, acid is needed already in the first weeks of pregnancy, doctors recommend taking it even at the planning stage of the baby.

IMPORTANT!A woman's body needs vitamin B9 the most in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Daily allowance for breastfeeding mothers

When breastfeeding, a young mother should drink this medicine with a dosage of at least 500-800 micrograms of "folk" per day. It is better to take it as part of dietary supplements or multivitamins, since not only the mother's body, but also the baby needs nutrients at this moment.

Daily Value for Men

If the male body receives at least 700 micrograms of folic acid daily, then the risk of spermatozoa with different types of abnormalities in the chromosomes is reduced by 25-30%.

To avoid infertility in men, B9 is advised to be taken in conjunction with vitamin E.

When a couple is planning a pregnancy, a man needs to drink folic acid 2-3 months in advance.

Conclusion

1. Vitamin B9 ( in other words folic acid) participates in the formation of the circulatory system and immunity.
2. Folic acid is essential women who decided get pregnant, as it participates in the normalization of the process of formation and development of the fetus.
3. folic acid for men necessary for the good functioning of the digestive tract, improving memory, as well as increasing fertility.
4. Folic acid is prescribed children to improve appetite, brain function and boost immunity.

In contact with

Folic acid (other names - vitamin B9, folacin) plays a very important role at the stage of pregnancy planning. It affects the productivity of conception and the full bearing of a strong, healthy baby without deviations and pathologies.

Why take folic acid?

To begin with, future parents should understand why they should drink folic acid when planning a pregnancy - and not only for women, but also for men. Folic acid:

• activates the absorption and breakdown of proteins;
• needed for cell division
• contributes to normal blood formation;
• helps to improve appetite;
• helps to digest amino acids and sugar;
• is important in the formation of DNA and RNA, which are involved in the direct transmission of hereditary traits;
• prevents the development of atherosclerosis;
• protects against food poisoning;
• supports immunity;
• improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
• helps to absorb other vitamins necessary for normal conception and childbearing

What problems can arise with a lack of acid in the body?

If there is too little folic acid, then the following problems are possible:

• pathology of the egg, which either cannot be fertilized at all (i.e., conception will not occur), or will not guarantee the formation of a healthy fetus;
• placental abruption (both partial and absolute);
• spontaneous abortion (miscarriage);
• congenital malformations in a child: anencephaly, neural tube defect, malnutrition, cleft lip, mental retardation;
• anemia;
• loss of appetite, which means that the child in the womb will not receive enough nutrients that he needs for full development;
• irritability and fatigue, as a result of which the baby can be born nervous and capricious.

Folic acid for the future father

Future fathers should know that folic acid is of no less importance when planning a pregnancy for men, since if it is lacking, conception may not occur at all. Vitamin B9 for everyone who dreams of becoming a dad is simply necessary, because:

• reduces the number of defective, low-quality spermatozoa, which initially carry the wrong set of chromosomes (in the future this can be expressed in serious pathologies of the fetus);
• increases several times the chances of conceiving a strong, healthy, full-fledged baby;
• increases the mobility and penetrating ability of spermatozoa.

Now it becomes clear why folic acid is so necessary for both men and women when planning a pregnancy. Very often, conception does not occur precisely because one of the spouses (or both at once) has a lack of vitamin B9. And 80% of the pathologies of the nervous system in newborns are due to the same cause.

When is folic acid most needed?

The body of a pregnant woman needs folic acid most of all in the first month after conception, that is, up to 2 weeks of delay, since the neural tube is formed on the 16-28th day after conception, when the expectant mother sometimes does not even suspect that she is pregnant.

Folic acid in foods

Foods that contain folic acid (vitamin B9) can be divided into products of animal and vegetable origin.

• citrus fruits (most in oranges);
• whole grain products;
• leafy vegetables (eg, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, spinach, broccoli);
• egg yolk;
• beef and chicken liver;
• beans (preferably dry);
• lentils;
• most varieties of cheese;
• special vitamin complexes containing folic acid.

Folic acid in medicines

Regular use of folic acid when planning pregnancy is the key to successful conception and bearing a full-fledged baby. Therefore, expectant parents are often prescribed drugs with its content.

Folic acid tablets

One of the most optimal options for taking folic acid when planning a pregnancy. This medicine has advantages such as price (very inexpensive) and quality. Usually, the dosage in tablets (one contains 1 mg of vitamin B9) when planning a pregnancy is indicated in the instructions and is 1 tablet per day.

Tablets "Folacin", "Apo-folic"

These drugs are also presented in the form of tablets, but they already contain 5 mg of vitamin B each, while the daily dose of folic acid when planning pregnancy is 800 mcg (for women). Therefore, these drugs are prescribed only in cases where one of the spouses (couples) has an acute shortage of this substance. In this case, there will be no harm from an excess of folacin to the body, since everything superfluous will simply be removed from it. These drugs are not recommended to be taken on their own, without a doctor's prescription, as they are considered curative, not preventive.

Tablets "Folio"

A very good drug, as it contains two elements at once, which are necessary for a full-fledged conception and the successful bearing of a child in the future. Contains 400 micrograms of vitamin B9, while the daily folic acid requirement for women is 800 micrograms (i.e., you will need to drink 2 tablets per day), the dosage for men is 400 micrograms (1 tablet per day will be enough), and 200 micrograms iodine. The dose of the active substance in this medicine is prophylactic, i.e. it covers the needs of the female body in the absence of folacin deficiency.

Multivitamin complexes

Folic acid is also contained in all vitamin complexes specially designed for those who are planning a pregnancy. These are "Materna", "Elevit", "Vitrum prenatal", "Vitrum prenatal forte", "Multi-tabs perinatal", "Pregnavit". All these complexes are accompanied by an instruction that indicates the content of folic acid in them. It usually ranges from 400 to 1,000 mcg, which is the prophylactic dosage at this stage for new parents.

There are a lot of drugs, but they raise a sufficient number of questions from future parents: how to take folic acid when planning a pregnancy - as a separate medicine or in combination with other vitamins, in what dosage and for how long. This information should be told by the doctor after the examination, or, in extreme cases, it can be found in the instructions for the prescribed drugs.

How much folic acid should you drink when planning a pregnancy?

A very important question is how much folic acid to drink when planning a pregnancy for men and women. Since the body of the expectant mother will need to give a sufficiently large amount of folacin to the child for the full formation of his nervous system and brain, she will need a daily dose of 800 mcg. For future fathers, for the usefulness, health and mobility of spermatozoa necessary for successful conception, a dosage of 400 micrograms of folic acid will be enough. However, these figures apply only to those who lead a healthy lifestyle and do not suffer from catastrophic vitamin B9 deficiency. Otherwise, the dosage is increased by the doctor depending on the individual characteristics of the organism.

Why is acid not always absorbed?

Very often, despite the fact that future parents actively and on time began to take folic acid when planning pregnancy, the fetus subsequently still has pathologies of the nervous system associated with a lack of this vitamin. This happens because they, taking the right drug, did nothing to ensure that it was absorbed in full.

Folic acid in the body is consumed several times more if a person actively smokes, abuses alcohol, does not get enough sleep regularly, is in a state of constant depression, takes antibiotics or hormonal drugs for a long time, and has problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, both parents are strongly advised to give up all bad habits before conception, start leading a healthy lifestyle, take medicines as little as possible, restore their nervous system and undergo treatment for all chronic diseases.

Do you want a stork to fly to you in a year?

It's time to start preparing for it. We will talk about such an important factor in pregnancy planning and its correct course as taking vitamin B9 - folic (from the Latin "folium" - "leaf") acid.

Folic acid- What is this?

Among all the vitamins studied, group B is the most numerous. Each of the vitamins of this group is “responsible” for the work of some body systems (B1 - gives strength to muscles, B2 - ensures normal vision, etc.). Among all these substances, the most important for you now is vitamin B9, folic acid. Firstly, it is involved in the metabolism and synthesis of many important amino acids and in the synthesis of nucleic acids, which are so necessary for the formation of a healthy egg in the female body, mobile and healthy spermatozoa in the male body, and the correct formation of the fetus. Secondly, it has a stimulating effect on the hematopoietic function of the bone marrow, which ensures the good condition of the woman throughout pregnancy. Thirdly, without folic acid, other B vitamins are poorly absorbed, which are also necessary for a couple who want to have a healthy child.

What foods contain folic acid?

Basically, leafy greens (after all, the name of the vitamin comes from the word “leaf”!): sorrel, dill, cilantro, spinach, legumes, oranges and other citrus fruits, buckwheat and oatmeal, walnuts, almonds. Of the products of animal origin, the highest content of folic acid in the liver. Folic acid is also found in meat, offal - liver and kidney, beef, pork or chicken. It is advisable not to fry the liver strongly, and use leafy greens in the form of salads - during cooking, the loss of vitamin value is very large, sometimes up to 90%. Foods containing folic acid should be eaten daily by future parents. By the way, fish, especially sea fish, cheese and chicken eggs also contain a much-needed vitamin. So any family can build their own diet to taste.

Why is folic acid needed?

Not some other element, namely folic acid, is responsible for the normal development of the so-called neural tube of the unborn child (that is, it prevents the occurrence of such serious and extremely undesirable fetal malformations as cerebral hernias (i.e. protrusion of the child's brain through discrepancies in the skull) , anencephaly (i.e. no brain), cleft palate, cleft lip, and spina bifida). In a word, everything that people do not want even their worst enemy.

How much folic acid to take?

Both parents, and especially the expectant mother, must start taking it even before conception, because all of the above defects are formed during the first four weeks of fetal development, when a woman may not even know about pregnancy. In this case, it is better to play it safe than to be afraid of the whole pregnancy that you have missed something important.

Folic acid - preparation for pregnancy. This is a concern not only for the future baby, but also for the body of the pregnant woman herself. After all, if even before conception or, in extreme cases, in the very first days after conception, a woman did not start regularly taking vitamin B9 in the doses prescribed by the doctor, she develops a specific disease during pregnancy: folate deficiency anemia. Red blood cells leave her bone marrow immature, as a result of which the woman feels nervous, irritable, gets tired quickly, her appetite may decrease and even depression develops, which the expectant mother should not be allowed to do. In combination with high blood pressure in a pregnant woman, the risk of complicated childbirth, up to the development of a stroke, increases.

Let's talk about the positive! How to take folic acid while planning a pregnancy?

A competent young couple, before conceiving a child, undergoes an examination to identify diseases that can adversely affect the course of pregnancy. A few months before conception, both men and women are advised to quit smoking (by the way, nicotine destroys folic acid, which is so necessary for future parents). If possible, the oral cavity should be put in order, chronic diseases should be treated.
Among other measures, the doctor explains how necessary folic acid is for conception, how it positively affects the health of the unborn child. And he determines the dosage (it should not be exceeded - hypervitaminosis is not much worse than a lack of vitamins, as the doctor said, we drink so much!). You can, of course, not take folic acid when planning a pregnancy, but wouldn’t reasonable adults give up nicotine or alcohol for the sake of a child’s health? Understanding that folic acid helps with pregnancy will be a very positive factor in stimulating the intake of this much-needed vitamin.
Folic acid when planning pregnancy is prescribed in tablets, about three months before the couple plans to conceive a child. Both the chances of conception and the likelihood of having a healthy baby increase.

Dosage of folic acid during pregnancy planning.

Men and women are given different doses. For a man, since he is only responsible for conception, it is lower (0.4 g per day). During the preparation for pregnancy, folic acid is prescribed to the expectant mother, as a rule, at a dose of 0.8 g per day. If, when taking an anamnesis, the doctor finds out that there were cases of pathologies in the family of one of the spouses (we listed them above: cleft lip, anencephaly, etc.), the dosage is increased, up to 2 g per day, if pathologies were previously present a child born by this couple - even up to 4 g per day.

How to take folic acid while planning a pregnancy?

The number of doses per day will tell the doctor. For our part, we want to remind you that this is an acid that can adversely affect the gastric mucosa. Therefore, tablets or capsules should be taken after meals. And foods containing folic acid do not need special recommendations - they can be taken in any reasonable quantities.
I hope you have learned well, why take folic acid during pregnancy planning? Have you taken this issue seriously? We are happy for you!

But the pregnancy was confirmed! Should I take folic acid now?

Those who believe that everything will go on by itself are wrong. Yes, folic acid is no longer needed for the future father, if it is not prescribed for him for other indications. And the expectant mother should constantly maintain a normal level of folic acid in the body until the very birth of the child - this will increase the likelihood of easy childbirth, without complications in the form of pressure rise, birth weakness, etc.
Some scientists claim that taking folic acid increases the chance of having twins, almost doubling it. But this point has not yet been thoroughly explored. And in general - "if twins accidentally arrive, no one will tell you, no one will condemn"!
Take this issue seriously - and the stork will definitely visit your house!

Love yourself! Appreciate your health!