Because it is difficult to consume all the folate you need through food alone, the Department of Human Services, along with national and international health authorities, is encouraging women who could get pregnant to take extra folate daily. The easiest way is to take a supplement as well as taking a diet rich in folate . You should check the label on your vitamin supplement to see if it includes folate, and how much. Some multivitamins include 0.2 mg in the mix. This is not enough.
Folate supplements are available at chemists, supermarkets and health foods stores.
A lot of popular vitamin brands produce folate supplements in the range they offer. You should shop around to find what you're comfortable with. If you want more information about folate or neural tube defects, you should speak to your doctor the next time you have an appointment. You can also ask for information at your family planning clinic, local chemist, community health centre or health food shop. Check our Pre-pregnancy Counselling Checklist .