It helps to protect the unborn baby against birth defects of the spine and brain. In order to be effective in preventing birth defects such as anencephaly and spina bifida, women should start taking a multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid everyday, at least three months before conception. During pregnancy, at least an amount of 600 micrograms is recommended. Women should consult a physician before deciding on the exact amount. It is important to take folic acid before and early in the pregnancy when the neural tube of the baby is developing.
Neural tube develops into the spinal cord and brain in the first four weeks of pregnancy.
Neural tube defects occur when the spinal cord does not close completely during the first weeks of a baby's development. These defects can be prevented by adequate intake of folic acid. Many pregnancies are unplanned, so it is important for all women of childbearing age to get enough folic acid. Waiting until the pregnancy has occurred to take this supplement may be too late to avoid a serious neural tube defect in the fetus. Folic acid deficiency is very common around the world.