Folic acid for conception. Folic acid: reviews

At the planning stage of pregnancy and immediately after conception, doctors recommend taking folic acid. This appointment has become widespread not so long ago, as a result of which women often doubt the appropriateness. They explain this with known excuses: "Our mothers and grandmothers gave birth without any additives, and everything was fine." But they do not take into account that the same grandmothers grew in different conditions, and in the modern world, for a number of reasons, the risk of all kinds of congenital diseases increases.

What is Folic Acid?

Folic acid, also called vitamin B9, is a water-soluble vitamin necessary for the development of the immune and circulatory system. The name "folic" comes from the Latin word "folium" (in the translation "leaf"), since the vitamin is contained in salads, spinach, beet, sunflower seeds, beans and so on.

Folic acid was first spread in 1931, when it was proved that it helps prevent anemia in pregnant women. Only at that time did not take the pills, but the yeast extract. Later, another important fact was clarified. The fact is that due to vitamin, the risk of developing neural tube diseases of the fetus is reduced by 70%. Moreover, the use of folic acid and completely reduced the incidence of miscarriages, since it does not allow the development of dangerous conditions that are not compatible with the life of embryos.

In most cases, doctors recommend taking folic acid at 0.4 mg per day. This dosage is suitable for those women who did not have previously frozen pregnancies or birth of a child with neural tube defects. If a similar situation occurs, the dosage increases, but a certain amount is set by the doctor, as excessive consumption of vitamin does not bring benefits.

Is folic acid necessary for conception?

At once we will notice, that on efficiency of fertilization the given vitamin does not influence. Its goal is to reduce the risk of developing several diseases.

As a rule, the composition of vitamin complexes for pregnancy planning already includes folic acid for conception. Reviews about such drugs are positive, as they contain all the necessary trace elements.

Many women believe that taking the drug is only after conception. But everyone knows that vitamins in the body accumulate, and for their action, time is needed. That is, if you want to get the maximum benefit from the drug, then its reception should start about three months before the alleged conception. By the end of the first trimester, you can cancel taking the drug, since complex multivitamins are prescribed in which this vitamin is present.

Should I take folic acid if a multivitamin complex is already prescribed?

The benefits of taking folic acid for pregnant women have been proven repeatedly. In most cases, doctors prescribe vitamin complexes, which already contain folic acid. In this case, the dosage of this vitamin is sufficient to prevent the development of neural tube defects. Additional intake of the drug is justified only by strict indications.

The content of folic acid in foods

- Beans: 300 mcg per 100 g.

- Walnuts: 155 mcg per 100 g.

- Brussels sprouts: 132 mcg per 100 g.

- Forest nuts: 113 μg per 100 g.

- Broccoli: 110 mcg per 100 g.

- Melon: 100 mcg per 100 g.

- Strawberries: 62 mcg per 100 g.

- Grapes: 43 mcg per 100 g.

- Oranges: 30 mcg per 100 g.

What is folic acid for?

This substance is necessary for:

- assimilation and decomposition of proteins in the body;

- cell division;

- maintenance of normal blood formation: formation of thrombocytes, leukocytes, erythrocytes;

- assimilation of sugar and amino acids;

- participation in the formation of DNA and RNA, which are responsible for the transfer of hereditary traits;

- prevention of atherosclerosis;

- reduce the risk of food poisoning;

- improve appetite and work the food tract.

Admission of folic acid before pregnancy

Each of us knows that pregnancy for a woman is not only a joyful expectation, but also the emergence of a number of problems. The body spends all its energies on the development of a new life, as a result of which vitamins, useful micronutrients are expended on the child. The future mother remains only what was not used for the baby. Unfortunately, there is not always something to stay. For this reason, folic acid is also needed for conception. To be more precise, it is desirable to take complex vitamins to prevent many troubles associated with deficiency of nutrients. If we talk about folic acid, then its lack can provoke a number of problems:

• Formation of congenital malformations in the fetus (hypotrophy, neural tube defect, mental and physical retardation, anencephaly);
• Miscarriage at an early age;
• Partial or absolute placental abruption;
• Frozen pregnancy.

Of course, this does not mean that without taking this vitamin, you will necessarily encounter the above problems. You only have a higher risk, and nothing more. A detailed picture can show only a blood test, as well as an examination with a doctor.

It is worth noting and the erroneous opinion that folic acid contributes to conception. The vitamin does not affect these processes.

How long should I take folic acid

Not all married couples get pregnant in the first months of planning. For this reason, many women are wondering about how long folic acid is taken before conception. The fact is that this vitamin does not have accumulative properties. This means that the body needs his constant reception. Of course, the dosage should be small, allowing to maintain the acid content in the body at the proper level. If you do not want to take the pill, then limit yourself to frequent use of those foods that contain folic acid. Reviews about the drugs are different, but there are actually no negative assessments. Allergic and other undesirable reactions are not observed, but it is difficult to judge about the positive effects. After all, we do not see if the drug prevented the development of the disease in a particular case. But the main thing is that the kids, whose mothers took folic acid, were born on time without the defects mentioned above.

Multiple pregnancy

As the statistics have shown, folic acid for conception of twins is really used. Of course, this does not mean that you have a twin, but the chances are 40% higher. Unfortunately, none of the doctors will tell you what dosage is needed for this. Each organism is individual, but even if you become pregnant with one, and not two children, then harm from taking the vitamin will still not be.

Folic acid for men

Everyone constantly points to the fact that it is necessary for women to take vitamins, including folic acid. However, few people know that men should take care of their health. In addition, the lack of vitamin adversely affects the sperm cells, their mobility and quality. So it is desirable that folic acid for conception is taken not only by future mothers.

But prescribe the drug, usually only after the identification of problems. Up to this point, very rarely men themselves take vitamins. Despite the comprehensive development of medicine and wide access to information, many men mistakenly believe that the effectiveness of conception depends exclusively on women. Also, the entire responsibility for the health of the future baby is shifted to the mother.

Studies have shown a different picture. Incorrect nutrition, unhealthy lifestyle, congenital diseases, gastrointestinal problems increase the risk of problems with conception. If fertilization has occurred, then the pathology and defects of the fetus can develop. Reduce the likelihood of such problems can be if the time will be taken folic acid. The price for such a drug varies and can be as high as 100, and 300 rubles. It all depends on the manufacturer, the dosage, the packing and the number of tablets, of course. In any case, the cost is quite acceptable, especially if you take into account the positive qualities of this vitamin.

How is folic acid used for conception?

A certain dosage is most often prescribed by a doctor. If you decide to start taking the drug yourself, then follow the instructions. Depending on the concentration of the vitamin in one tablet, the intake scheme also differs. In most cases, 0.4 mg per day is enough to plan for pregnancy. After conception, the dosage is doubled. Excessive diligence in this case is not welcomed, so that more than 0.8 mg per day without a doctor's appointment is not desirable. Excess of vitamins in the body often leads to serious problems, and concerns this and this substance.

Be that as it may, overdoing the dosage of this drug is difficult, because even the daily rate is only partially absorbed. For this reason, you can safely take vitamins during pregnancy planning, as well as after conception.