Prenatal Vitamin

It has always been enthused that folic acid is the best nutrient contained in prenatal vitamins that could benefit a pregnant mother and her unborn child.  Because of this, folic acid is one of the main nutrients that women look for in prenatal vitamins.  But, what is a folic acid, really?  What is its role when it comes to prenatal vitamins? Folic acid is actually a vitamin that falls under the Vitamin B group and is even known by a variety of other names like Vitamin B9, Folate and Folacin.  This B-complex vitamin is water soluble and are usually found in vitamin supplements and prenatal vitamins.  Folic acid is very essential in helping the body create healthy new cells.  Each one of us, not only pregnant women, need folic acid in our daily nutrition.  But, this vitamin though is very important for pregnant women making it an essential nutrient found in prenatal vitamins.  This is because the intake of the proper amount of folic acid through prenatal vitamins can prevent any birth defects to a fetus’ brain or spine. 

Any woman that is of child-bearing age is required to take 400 micrograms of folic acid per day.  This daily requirement should be increased, however, when folic acid is taken as part of prenatal vitamins.  To make sure that your body has the right amount of folic acid before pregnancy, make sure to take prenatal vitamins containing the vitamin when you are still trying to conceive.  You must always keep in mind that neural tube defects that could be avoided through the intake of folic acid through prenatal vitamins usually develop during a pregnancy’s first 28 days.  So, if you are pregnant now and have not paid particular attention to the folic acid in your prenatal vitamins, the best time to start paying attention is now.  The absence or lack of folic acid in the nutrition of a gestating mother could cause defects in the development of the baby’s brain or spinal cord or what are known as the neural tube defects.  These defects usually result to paralysis or mental retardation.  These defects can be avoided if you make sure that your prenatal vitamins have the proper amount of folic acid needed by you and your unborn baby. Aside from taking prenatal vitamins containing folic acid, you should also partake of foods that are rich with the vitamin also.  Folic acid can be found in nuts, green, leafy vegetables, peas, dried beans and fruits.  There are even breads and cereals that are enriched with folic acid. Discover more about calcium, zinc and iron.