Folic Acid (Vitamin B9): Should be taken before pregnancy

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Trinh Thi Thanh Huyen - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

Folic acid (Vitamin B9) is an important ingredient in protecting the health of pregnant women. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recommends that all women of childbearing age get 400 micrograms of folic acid per day.

Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, is a substance belonging to group B vitamins. This is a substance that is essential for cell growth and division as well as the formation of blood cells.
Folic acid is found in foods such as green leafy vegetables, fruits, beans, pears and nuts, fermented foods and beef,...

Folic acid is an indispensable element in helping the body produce red blood cells. Because red blood cells are important factors that help carry oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body. The role of folic acid before pregnancy or the first week of pregnancy also helps prevent neural tube defects.
Some studies also show that folic acid can also prevent heart defects in babies and birth defects of the mouth such as cleft lip and palate.

Studies have shown that women who take folic acid supplements one year before becoming pregnant have a reduced risk of preterm birth compared with other women.
When folic acid enters the body, it stimulates the production of new healthy cells. The use of these vitamins before and during pregnancy will help prevent neural tube defects in the fetus as well as reduce the risk of cerebral palsy, mental retardation, chronic lung diseases.

Food supplements
Vegetables and fermented foods and beef are the main sources of folic acid needed by pregnant women. Foods rich in folic acid include:
Legumes such as lentils, black beans, peanuts, .. Green vegetables Asparagus Orange or orange juice Hard boiled eggs Brown rice Black bread Folic acid supplementation with oral medications
In some cases, folic acid supplementation with common foods does not meet the needs of pregnant women. Therefore, the use of oral folic acid supplements is very necessary.
It is recommended that you take a folic acid supplement containing 400 micrograms of folic acid per day before becoming pregnant. During pregnancy, women are advised to take 600 micrograms of folic acid per day. Your doctor may prescribe a prenatal folic acid medication for you. Or you can also buy prenatal folic acid pills without a doctor's prescription. Note that folic acid is recommended to be taken every day from 400 to 600 micrograms, then the excess folic acid will be excreted in the urine. and has little effect on health. In the case of high doses of folic acid over 1000 micrograms per day and for a long time can cause diarrhea, nausea, indigestion, strange taste in the mouth, excitement and heaviness, epilepsy.
During pregnancy, before taking any medication, you should consult your doctor/pharmacist; At the same time, both husband and wife should check their reproductive health 3-5 months before becoming pregnant.
The wife should:
Get vaccinated before pregnancy (especially against rubella because rubella in pregnancy is extremely dangerous ) Genetic testing to screen for genetic diseases before pregnancy Check for secondary infections In particular, women over 35 years of age, if they want to become pregnant (especially if they have never been pregnant), will have to have a very detailed health check because pregnancy at this age often problems: Ovarian failure, premature birth, higher risk of birth defects, placenta previa, preeclampsia. The husband should:
Check reproductive health, detect diseases of testicular atrophy, physiological weakness, weak sperm... Sexually transmitted diseases, especially those that cannot be cured, are extremely dangerous. Vinmec currently has many comprehensive health care programs for couples, pregnant mothers and their unborn babies, including basic pre-marital examination packages, advanced pre-marital examination packages, and maternity packages. . Vinmec has a team of experienced doctors in the fields of obstetrics and gynecology, IVF, stem cells, gene technology, capable of synchronously and comprehensively deploying the most advanced assisted reproductive techniques today.
For specific information about fertility and maternity packages at Vinmec, please contact the hospitals and clinics of Vinmec health system nationwide.