Welcome to Gaia! ::

NOTE: I'm sorry if this isn't the right place to put this. I thought of the pregnancy forum, but by the time people go there it's usually too late. I've considered other forums and finally decided that since this applies to all women who have either gone through puberty or are going through it currently, that this was the best place for it. Niko, feel free to move if you feel that my judgement was wrong smile

The following message is from the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Canada (sbhac.ca):

What is folic acid?
Folic acid, also known as folate or folacin, is a B vitamin that is essential for the healthy development of a baby's spin, brain, and skull during the early weeks of pregnancy. Folic acid has been proven to help reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) by more than 70% if taken before pregnancy.

What are neural tube defects?
Neural tube defects are birth defects that affect the brain (anencephaly) and/or spinal cord (spina bifida). NTDs occur when the tissues that form the brain and spinal cord fail to develop properly. These defects occur in the first four weeks after conception - usually before a woman even knows that she is pregnant.

Who is at risk of having a baby with NTDs?
Any woman who could become pregnant is at risk of having a baby with a neural tube defect. About one in every 1300 pregnancies in Canada is affected by a NTD. You may be at greater risk if:
-You have had a previous pregnancy affected by NTDs.
-You (or your partner) have a personal or family history of NTDs.
-You have insulin-dependent diabetes.
-You use certain anti-seizure medications.
-You have clinically diagnosed obesity.

How much folic acid should I take?
All women who could become pregnant should take a multivitamin containing a minimum of 0.4mg of folic acid every day. To help reduce the risk of NTDs, you should take folic acid at least three months prior to conception and throughout the first three months of pregnancy. Women at high risk of having a NTD-affected pregnancy need to take a higher doce of folic acid and should consult with their physician.

It's important to remember that taking a vitamin does not reduce or replace the need for eating a healthy, well-balanced diet. You should eat foods high in folic acid such as asparagus (boiled or canned), broccoli (raw, boiled, or steamed), brussel sprouts, corn (canned, cream style, or niblets), romaine lettuce, spinach (raw or boiled), orange juice (frozen or diluted), liver (of beef or chicken), black beans, kidney beans, white beands, natural peanut butter, dry roasted peanuts, and boiled lentils.

Can NTDs be detected before birth?
Some NTDs can be detected before birth. Talk to your health care provider if you wish to know more about the prenatal blood test or ultrasound test that can give you more information about whether your developing baby has a neural tube defect.

Who should take folic acid?
All women who could become pregnant should take a daily multivitamin containing folic acid. Since many pregnancies are unplanned, and neural tube defects occur before most women even know they are pregnant, all women who could become pregnant should take folic acid.

A note from Kukushka
This is especially important if you are currently using a hormonal contraceptives as these reduce the amount of folic acid your body is naturally able to take from foods.

Also remember that accidents do happen. We all like to think that as long as we do everything by the book we will be safe, but just one look at some of the topics in this guild will tell you otherwise. You could be doing everything right, you could even be doubling up your contraceptives, and you can still get pregnant. Accidents happen. Taking a multivitamin every day is a small way that you can make sure that IF an accident does happen, the result is at least not as bad as it could have been. This is just another way to protect yourself and your future.

Also remember that accidents can happen even if you aren't sexually active. All it takes is one slip up at a party, or, heaven forbid, one rape.

So protect yourself, your body, and your potential children!

Thanks! And your welcome wink