This B vitamin has been shown to lower a woman's chance of having a baby with a birth defect such as Spina Bifida.
Folic acid works during cell growth.
If a woman does not have enough folic acid in her body during the time a baby's spinal cord is forming, a birth defect may occur. Eat foods fortified with folic acid, such as cereal, bread, rice, cornmeal products and pastas. Take a multivitamin or folic acid supplement daily. Eat foods naturally rich in folic acid, such as fruits and vegetables, dried beans and peas. This program is being conducted by the Virginia Council on Folic Acid, which was formed in 1999 by the Virginia Department of Health and the March of Dimes, Virginia Chapter.