Today, young couples are more responsible in planning pregnancy. After visiting the doctor and taking the necessary tests, they receive a number of recommendations and appointments, among which the main place is given to taking folic acid. What is the reason for this need? What is the dose of folic acid when planning pregnancy and how long to take this vitamin? The answers to these and other questions can be found in the next article.
The benefits of folic acid for the body
The name of this vitamin has Latin roots and comes from the word folium, which translates as "leaf". Indeed, folic acid is found in large quantities in leaves of spinach, lettuce and other green vegetables. All these products are very beneficial for humans.
The beneficial properties of folic acid and its need for stable functioning of the body are as follows:
- normal course of hematopoiesis;
- red blood cell formation;
- synthesis of proteins and DNA;
- cell division of all organs and tissues;
- normal fetal development in the first trimester of pregnancy and at a later date;
- active participation in the production of serotonin, which is considered a hormone of joy;
- prevention of dementia, depression, neurosis.
It is worth noting that folic acid is known to many under a different name - vitamin B9. The human body receives it with certain products, and is also independently produced in the upper part of the small intestine by its normal microflora. And this amount is usually usually enough to cover the daily requirement for vitamin B9. That is why people so rarely feel its deficiency. But this vitamin cannot be dispensed with during pregnancy and in planning. The dose of folic acid during these periods should be increased several times, since its deficiency negatively affects the health of the expectant mother and baby.
Norms of vitamin B9 for the human body
To fully satisfy the need and need for folic acid, absolutely all people, regardless of gender and age, should receive it additionally in the form of tablets. Severe deficiency of this vitamin in the body can lead to growth retardation in children, immunodeficiency, prolonged healing of wounds, exacerbation of chronic diseases. The most acute shortage of folic acid is experienced by pregnant and lactating women, the elderly and small children.
Daily intake of folic acid for people of different ages:
- children under 1 year - 65-85 mcg;
- from 1 to 3 years - 150-300 mcg;
- from 4 to 13 years - 200-600 mcg;
- from 14 to 18 years old - 600-800 mcg;
- adults from 18 years of age and older - 400-600 mcg;
- pregnant and lactating - 800-1000 mcg.
When planning pregnancy, the daily dose of folic acid is similar to the norm of vitamin for women during the period of gestation and during lactation. And do not give up products in which there is a lot of folic acid, for fear of an overdose. Vitamin B9 is water soluble. This means that the required amount is absorbed by the body, and excess is excreted.
Folic Acid for Pregnancy Planning
A woman is obliged to prepare for carrying a baby in advance: to take general tests of shelter and urine, check hormones, and make pelvic ultrasound. All these manipulations at the planning stage are aimed at making sure that the body is ready for the most responsible mission in its life. Not only a woman, but also her partner should be more responsible for their health. A few months before the planned conception, it is recommended to give up cigarettes and alcohol, reconsider your diet in favor of proper nutrition, etc.
When planning a pregnancy for a woman, folic acid is prescribed 3-4 months before a possible conception, so that by the time the fertilized egg is attached to the uterus, she does not have a deficiency of this vitamin in the body. Further, the administration of preparations containing folacin should be continued for at least 12 weeks. After this period, the pregnant woman can still drink folic acid until birth and get vitamin B9 only with food.
Why is folacin needed at the planning stage? Vitamin B9 in the body provides prevention:
- miscarriages;
- spontaneous abortion;
- placental abruption;
- other complications.
With insufficient intake of folacin from food, there is a high risk of fetal death in the early stages.
Folic acid in different trimesters of pregnancy
B9 is the only vitamin that every woman who carries a child must take. That is why, as soon as a pregnant woman finds out about her situation, she should start drinking folic acid tablets. If a woman took this vitamin at the planning stage, she simply continues to take it until at least 12 weeks of gestation.
Starting from the 13th week of pregnancy, many doctors cancel folic acid for their patients. From the second trimester, women are usually prescribed special multivitamin complexes. They contain all the set of vitamins necessary for a pregnant woman, including folic acid. If a woman for some reason does not take such complexes, she is advised to continue taking vitamin B9 at least until the very birth. But since lactating mothers also often lack folic acid, they can also drink such drugs during lactation.
Typically, a deficiency of vitamin B9 is associated with the following symptoms in a pregnant woman:
- constant fatigue;
- depression;
- anxiety, irritability;
- lack of appetite;
- insomnia;
- memory impairment;
- peeling of the skin and hair loss;
- stomatitis;
- apathy;
- pain in the legs.
The lack of vitamin B9 is dangerous with all sorts of malformations, primarily defects in the neural tube of the fetus. That is why it is so important to start taking preparations containing folacin, even before pregnancy, when planning.
What is the dose of folic acid to a woman, you can find out if you take a blood test to determine the concentration of vitamin B9 in the human body. If a deficiency is revealed by the results, the dosage of the vitamin for the pregnant woman will need to be increased 5 times.
What is the dose of folic acid when planning pregnancy?
The norm of vitamin B9 per day for an adult is 400 mcg. This amount is enough to cover the daily need for folic acid. Excesses are known to be excreted on their own, as this vitamin is water soluble.
When planning, the dosage of folic acid for women who previously had no miscarriages and cases of giving birth to children with neural tube defects is 0.4 mg per day. That is, it is enough for her to take vitamin B9 in the same amount as an adult. If a woman has a history of miscarriages or births of children with defects in the formation of the neural tube, when planning the dose of folic acid, she needs to be increased to 1000-4000 μg. In addition, if a pregnant woman takes medications that slow or hinder the absorption of vitamin B9, her daily intake should also be increased. In such cases, the dosage can be determined by the doctor individually.
After confirming the fact of pregnancy, all women should continue to take folic acid until 13 weeks in the same amount as when planning. In some cases, the appointment of a doctor is recommended up to the very birth.
How much do you plan to drink folic acid?
Preparations containing vitamin B9 are prescribed not only for expectant mothers, but also for their partners. The dosage of folic acid for a man is determined by the doctor individually. Usually it is 400 mcg and corresponds to the daily norm for an adult.
Another question that worries future mothers and fathers is how much folic acid should be taken when planning a pregnancy. Based on the recommendations of most doctors, vitamin B9 is prescribed to drink for 3-4 months before the proposed conception. Take medicines with folic acid 1 time per day after meals.
The need for vitamin B9 in men
Studies have shown that when planning folic acid for men is no less important than for women. A high concentration of vitamin B9 reduces the risk of maturation of defective sperm. And this, in turn, increases the chances of conceiving a healthy baby. Statistics show that in men who took folic acid during planning, the number of spermatozoa with defects, that is, with the wrong number of chromosomes, decreased by 20%. This is a very good prevention of the birth of children with genetic abnormalities and malformations.
Men who want to increase the likelihood of having a healthy baby should definitely include foods high in folic acid in their diet. In addition, they are additionally advised to take folacin preparations or other dietary supplements.
When planning men, as well as women, folic acid is prescribed in a dosage of 400 mcg. However, this rate can be increased to 800 mcg per day. The dosage of folic acid after drinking large amounts of alcohol is usually doubled, since alcohol leaches vitamin B9 from the body.
What is the danger of folic acid deficiency?
Vitamin B9 is essential for every person, without exception, for the natural division of cells and tissues in his body. To maintain its normal structure, dead cells are replaced by new, intact ones. And the most active cell division, during which all organs and tissues are laid, occurs just after conception, during the growth and development of the embryo in the first 12 weeks of gestation. That is why it is so important to observe the dose of folic acid prescribed by the doctor when planning pregnancy.
Deficiency of vitamin B9 in the body threatens with the following:
- the formation of defective sperm and egg cells;
- the formation of malformations in the embryo;
- increased risk of miscarriages, anembryony, placental abruption;
- deterioration of the skin (dryness, sagging, peeling);
- diseases of the stomach and intestines.
Active cell division, which results in the formation of organs and systems, begins immediately after a fertilized egg is introduced into one of the walls of the uterus. Often at this moment the woman does not suspect that she is pregnant. Meanwhile, during the growth and development of the embryo, it is extremely important for her to receive all the necessary vitamins, including folic acid. And so that the body does not experience a deficiency in it, tablets should be taken several months before pregnancy.
Scientists have found that taking folic acid during the planning period and during gestation reduces the likelihood of developing disorders of the fetal nervous system by more than 70%.
Folic Acid Medicines
In a network of pharmacies, women who are planning pregnancy, like men, can be offered a number of drugs that have different names and with different dosages of vitamin B9:
- "Folic acid". One tablet of this drug contains 1 mg (1000 mcg) of folic acid. Excipients: powdered sugar, potato starch, stearic acid.
- "Folio". This biologically active food supplement is indicated for women planning maternity, pregnant and breastfeeding. One folio tablet contains 0.4 mg of folic acid and 0.2 mg of iodine (potassium iodide), which is no less important for the full development of the fetus.
- "Folacin." One tablet of this drug contains a therapeutic dose of folic acid (5 mg). According to the instructions, planning women are recommended to take 2.5 mg per day for 4 weeks before the expected pregnancy. The drug should be continued throughout the entire I trimester.
You can find out how much folic acid you should take when planning with your gynecologist. It will help you choose the most optimal dosage, taking into account the state of health of the mother.
Vitamin B9 in Food
In addition to taking preventive doses of folic acid, it is recommended that you review your menu when planning pregnancy. It is imperative to add vitamin B9-rich foods to your diet. A lot of folic acid is found in the following foods:
- parsley and beets;
- spinach;
- leaf salad;
- carrot;
- onion;
- cauliflower and brussels sprouts;
- oranges, grapefruits;
- beef liver and kidneys;
- buckwheat;
- oat groats;
- millet;
- Beans
When compiling the menu, it should be noted that during the heat treatment of products the amount of vitamins in them decreases. And this means that it will be much more useful to eat a salad of fresh vegetables than a pound of boiled beans.
Folic acid is perhaps one of the most important vitamins during pregnancy, which must be taken before it occurs. It is quite difficult to get it exclusively from food. Therefore, do not completely ignore the recommendations of the doctor or consciously reduce the dosage of the prescribed drug. Exceeding the daily norm of folic acid has not hurt anyone, but its deficiency is fraught with serious consequences for the mother and child.