During the preparation for pregnancy, women must actively supplement folic acid, which is something that too many women know. However, there are still many women who, for various reasons, did not take folic acid during their preconception period. It is not until they discover pregnancy that they suddenly realize they did not take folic acid during their preconception period, which makes them very nervous. What should I do if I don't take folic acid during pregnancy? How to supplement folic acid during pregnancy?
What should I do if I don't take folic acid during pregnancy
In fact, it is still necessary to take folic acid within 3 months of pregnancy.
Folic acid plays an important role in cell division and growth, as well as in the synthesis of nucleic acids, amino acids, and proteins. It is an essential nutrient for the growth and development of fetuses. The first three months of pregnancy are a critical period for fetal neural development. If pregnant women lack folic acid at this time, it can easily lead to defects in fetal neural tube development, increasing the incidence of spina bifida and anencephaly.
Of course, it is best to start taking folic acid three months before pregnancy and continue until three months after pregnancy. However, there are also many couples who accidentally become pregnant without prior preparation. They do not eat folic acid before pregnancy, which has little impact on the fetus. This is because folic acid is widely present in various fruits and fresh vegetables, such as lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, carrots, oranges, strawberries, cherries, bananas, etc; There are also animal livers, kidneys, poultry meat, and eggs; Beans, nuts, and other related foods. As long as you pay attention to a balanced diet and eat more foods rich in folic acid, you don't have to worry about accidentally harming the fetus due to a lack of folic acid.
How to supplement folic acid during pregnancy
This is mainly because folic acid is present in vegetables, and eating more vegetables can supplement folic acid. It should be noted that when eating these vegetables, do not stir fry or cook them at high temperatures for a long time, avoid fried foods, and wash vegetables that can be eaten raw as much as possible.
Some pregnant women think to themselves, since folic acid is so good, I will continue to supplement folic acid from preparation for pregnancy to the birth of the fetus. This is also unnecessary, as it has no effect after 3 months of pregnancy. Excessive intake of folic acid not only fails to prevent fetal malformations, but also easily leads to zinc deficiency in pregnant women. If zinc deficiency persists, it can easily lead to dementia in babies. Experts from the national health department suggest that the intake of folic acid for pregnant women should be 0.4 milligrams per day. Only pregnant women with a family history of neural tube defects should consult a doctor and increase the dosage appropriately.
There are also regional differences in the supplementation of folic acid. Women in the southeastern coastal areas have a very sufficient intake of fruits and vegetables in their long-term diet, and may not be too deficient in folic acid. However, some women in inland areas may have more severe folic acid deficiency.
This article provides a detailed explanation of what to do if you don't take folic acid during the preconception period, as well as how to supplement folic acid during pregnancy. As a woman preparing for pregnancy, it is best to actively take folic acid. If women during the preconception period do not take folic acid, of course, eating more fresh vegetables and fruits is also beneficial for supplementing folic acid, so there is no need to be nervous about not taking folic acid during preconception.
