Your Health' Topics About This Site Dictionary Bulletin Board Service Directory Links Taking a vitamin supplement called folic acid can help prevent serious birth defects in your future baby.
Folic acid is the man-made version of a B vitamin called folate.
These birth defects may result in the need for life long medical attention or, in some cases, death. The most common neural tube defect is spina bifida . Approximately 1 out of every 1000 babies born in Canada have neural tube defects. These defects occur between the 3rd and 4th week after becoming pregnant, before most women even know they are pregnant. The only way to ensure that we are getting enough folic acid to protect our babies is by taking a folic acid supplement everyday.