Pregnancy is a very responsible period for every woman. Now the expectant mother should think not only about herself, but also about the little creature in her womb, about another life for which she is responsible. How she will feel for nine months and for a long time after depends on her in many respects. Indeed, during this period, the baby will go through a colossal and rapid development path from an embryo to a full-fledged man.
Particular attention should be paid to the first three months of pregnancy, since at this time there is an active division of the germ cells, the development of the most important organs and systems. Any violation can lead to irreversible consequences for the health of the fetus. The embryo is extremely sensitive to the lack of such a vitamin as folic acid. During pregnancy, it is simply necessary for the fetus.
With its help, the growth of new embryonic cells is carried out. In addition, with the participation of folic acid, DNA replication and the formation of the placenta occur, and if the fetus lacks this vitamin, the risk of developing genetic mutations is several times increased.
Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin, which is mainly supplied to the human body with food. A small part of it is synthesized in the intestine, but this amount is not enough for the fetus and the pregnant woman. Therefore, folic acid during pregnancy should be taken in tablet form.
It is advisable to start her intake a few months before conception in order to saturate a woman's body with these vitamin. But, unfortunately, folic acid during pregnancy begins to enter the fetus only a month after fertilization, when women are convinced of their interesting position.
A lack of this vitamin in the first 20 days of embryo development often leads to such a formidable complication as a neural tube defect. That is why it is so important to prepare in advance for pregnancy and take vitamin complexes in advance.
Possible consequences of a lack of folic acid during pregnancy :
impaired mental and physical development;
dropsy of the brain ;
the beginning of premature labor;
insufficiency of the development of the nervous and vascular systems;
fetal death in the womb;
malformations of organs;
gestosis.
But it is necessary to take into account the fact that folic acid during pregnancy is not absorbed without a sufficient content of vitamin B12. It is recommended to combine them as much as possible. The daily requirement of the future mother in vitamin B9 is about one gram. However, it is not taken into account that some foods also contain folic acid. During pregnancy, you can take up to four tablets of the finished tablet preparation.
What foods are rich in folic acid?
Most vitamin B9 is found in herbs and vegetables: spinach, green peas, pumpkin, legumes, parsley. Rich in folic acid and wholemeal bread, as well as cattle liver and fish. A certain amount of vitamin contains citrus and apricots.
But folic acid is not less important for pregnant women than for the fetus. After all, it affects the functioning of the entire central nervous system and the brain, prevents the development of toxicosis, miscarriages, depression and headaches.