Folic acid is a vitamin (B9) that helps the body make healthy red blood cells. Most women are advised to take a 400mcg supplement every day. You can get these from most pharmacies, supermarkets, and health food shops. Your GP may also be able to prescribe them to you.
If you’re planning to have a baby, it’s important that you take folic acid tablets for two to three months before conception. This allows it to build up in your body to a level that gives the most protection to your future baby against neural tube defects, such as spina bifida.
You can also try to eat more foods that contain folate, which is the natural form of folic acid. However, even a healthy diet does not have enough folic acid for pregnancy so taking folic acid tablets is very important.
If you have a higher risk of having a pregnancy affected by neural tube defects you will be advised to take a higher dose of 5mg folic acid.
You may have a higher risk if:
- you have diabetes
- you or your partner have a neural tube defect
- you have had a previous pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect
- you or your partner have a family history of neural tube defects
- you have epilepsy
- you are a heavy drinker.
To get a higher dose talk to your doctor as 5mg tablets aren’t available without a prescription.