Folic acid

• Folic acid may help prevent certain birth defects.
• Folic acid may work only if taken before and during early pregnancy.
• Take a daily multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid.

What's the best way to get the right amount of folic acid?

Before pregnancy, take a multivitamin that contains 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day. If women of childbearing age take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day before and during early pregnancy, it may help reduce their baby’s risk for birth defects of the brain and spin called neural tube defects (NTDs). During pregnancy, you need at least 600 mcg of folic acid very day. Your prenatal vitamin should have this amount. Talk to your provider about taking a prenatal vitamin.

Last reviewed November 2012