Why do women need folic acid before conception and during pregnancy? Why is it so important to take folic acid during pregnancy? How to take folic acid during pregnancy

Folic acid during pregnancy is an essential substance for a woman’s body and pregnancy.

A deficiency of folate compounds or vitamin B9 is dangerous and leads to changes in the blood composition of the expectant mother and child, and disturbances in the development of the placenta. The consequence is the birth of premature babies or children with developmental pathologies.

Importance for the body

Folic acid is found in foods:

broccoli;
green peas;
carrot;
bananas;
citrus;
leafy greens;
yeast;
bread products, etc.

A balanced diet is required to receive the required amount of B9. But even in this case, the development of vitamin deficiency is possible.

The reason is the rapid destruction of folic acid during food storage. Moreover, a pregnant woman’s body’s need for the vitamin increases significantly.

Other causes of folic acid deficiency:

low dietary intake;
genetic diseases (the body does not have enzymes for the absorption and processing of folate);
chronic diseases of the intestines or stomach (normal absorption of the substance is disrupted);
passion for alcoholic drinks;
the use of certain medications - sulfonamides, oral contraception, anticonvulsants, antacids, anti-tuberculosis drugs.

Folic acid during pregnancy

Lack of vitamin B9 is a scourge among pregnant women these days. If the expectant mother has constant weakness, increased fatigue, anemia, dizziness and headaches, irritability, perhaps the reason is a deficiency of folic acid.

The importance of the vitamin in the body is enormous for the production of proteins and nucleic acids. It is necessary for the regeneration of cells and tissues, maintaining the normal state of all organs, and preventing the transformation of cells into cancer.

An even greater role of folic acid during pregnancy. It ensures normal growth and development of the fetus.

Adequate folate levels are important in the 1st trimester. During these months, all organs and systems of the embryo are formed, and most importantly, its nervous tissue and placental vessels.

Why is deficiency dangerous?

The main danger of vitamin B9 deficiency during pregnancy is insufficient development of the neural tube in the embryo.

This leads to the following developmental defects:

fading of pregnancy, that is, fetal death in utero;
hydrocephalus, or dropsy of the brain;
anencephaly, that is, the embryo completely lacks a brain;
spina bifida;
brain herniation;
mental retardation;
physical underdevelopment.

Folic acid is of great importance for the vascular system in the uterus. Consequences of a lack of substance:

premature placental abruption;
spontaneous termination of pregnancy.

Folate deficiency affects the well-being of a pregnant woman. The manifestations are:

toxicosis in the early stages;
rapid fatigue;
weakness;
decreased appetite;
digestive disorders;
headache and dizziness;
leg cramps.

For this reason, doctors recommend drinking folic acid already at the stage of pregnancy planning. In reality, women often find out about conception at 5-6 weeks, and it is during this period that the embryo is especially susceptible to vitamin deficiency.

How to take?

Folic acid is produced in the form of tablets in pure form or in combination with cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) or ascorbic acid. They also produce vitamin complexes and biological supplements containing B9.

The tablets are taken without chewing and washed down with plain water. Take regardless of food.

When to start?

It is better to start taking folic acid before conception. This will prevent possible pathologies.

WHO - The World Health Organization recommends that all pregnant women take folic acid and iron supplements. The dosage is prescribed by the doctor managing the pregnancy. The woman’s medical history and the presence of any chronic diseases must be taken into account.

Until when should you drink it?

Folic acid during pregnancy is especially important in the first trimester, that is, from conception to 12 weeks.

Then you can stop taking the drug, provided that there are no manifestations of its insufficiency. In some cases, a woman is prescribed a vitamin and then in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters.

It is advisable to start taking folic acid when planning pregnancy, then before childbirth and the end of breastfeeding.

The dosage varies depending on the timing:

The period of planning conception – 400 mcg daily.
First trimester of pregnancy – 600 – 800 mcg.
From the 13th week until the end of pregnancy - 800 mcg per day.
During breastfeeding - 400 - 600 mcg per day.

If necessary, the gynecologist can increase the daily dose:

For miscarriages, fetal death, birth of children with developmental defects - 4 mg per day.
For diabetes or epilepsy in a woman - 1 mg.
When taking certain medications - 800 mcg - 4 mg per day (anticonvulsants, sulfonamides, alcohol-based medications, anti-tuberculosis, etc.).

Drugs

Folic acid is produced both in pure form and in the form of preparations:

Folic acid tablets. Contains 1 mg vitamin B9. For prevention, the recommended dosage is 1 tablet per day.
Folio. Contains 400 mcg folate combined with 200 mcg iodine. Taking it prevents the lack of B9 and iodine in the body of a pregnant woman.
Folacin. The content of the active substance in the tablet is high – 5 mg. Therefore, it is used not for prevention, but for the treatment of deficiency.
Gendevit. Polevitamine in the form of dragees. One contains 300 mcg of folic acid.
Mom is complimentary. Multivitamin complex. One capsule contains 400 mcg of vitamin.

Contraindications

Folic acid during pregnancy is contraindicated in the following cases:

allergic reaction or individual intolerance to folic acid;
cancer in close relatives;
vitamin B12 deficiency;
chronic pyelonephritis;
bronchial asthma.

Video about folic acid

Consequences of overdose

An overdose of vitamin B9 during pregnancy is difficult to achieve, since it is a water-soluble substance. Its absorption by the body occurs only in the required quantity, and the excess is excreted through the kidneys.

However, the symptoms of folic acid overdose are as follows:

causeless irritability;
digestive system disorders – nausea and vomiting, flatulence, diarrhea, lack of appetite;
insomnia;
impaired renal function.

An overdose of folic acid is said to occur when a daily dose of more than 15 mg enters the body.

Folic acid during pregnancy is a vitamin necessary to maintain the body of the expectant mother and the proper development of the fetus. B9 deficiency leads to irreversible consequences in the form of defects in the embryo. To prevent complications, it is advisable to start taking folic acid already at the stage of pregnancy planning and continue until the 12th week, and even better until childbirth and the end of breastfeeding.

Most often, folic acid deficiency is due to three reasons:

Insufficient food intake. It should be borne in mind that heat treatment destroys up to 90% of the folic acid contained in raw food. Nevertheless, it is not difficult to ensure a sufficient amount of folic acid from food. In addition to the leaves of garden greens, it is also found in liver, meat, cheese, caviar, egg yolk, legumes, tomatoes, sunflower seeds,
Increased need. The need for this substance increases when rapid growth and tissue renewal predominates: during periods of rapid growth in young children and adolescents, with severe cancer, anemia, skin diseases, etc. The need for folic acid in pregnant women increases as the fetus grows. During breastfeeding, the need for this vitamin is also increased, as is the need for other vitamins.
Impaired absorption of folic acid in the intestine. Diseases of the stomach and small intestine can lead to deficiency due to insufficient absorption, while with normal intestinal microflora the body can synthesize folic acid on its own.

Folic acid, contained in medications, is absorbed much better than its natural counterpart.

Mechanism of action of folic acid

As is known, in order for any living cell to enter into the process of division, its genetic material, enclosed in a DNA helix, must double. It is in the process of DNA doubling that folic acid takes an active part. In addition, it is involved in the synthesis of RNA (ribonucleic acid), amino acids, and promotes better absorption of iron.

Accordingly, a deficiency of this factor is especially dangerous for actively reproducing cells. Folic acid is necessary for the growth and development of all organs and tissues, the normal development of the embryo, and hematopoietic processes. In the early stages of pregnancy, this is especially important, because already in the 2nd week from conception in the embryo it is possible to determine the part from which the brain begins to develop. It is during this period, despite the fact that the woman is not yet aware of her pregnancy, even a short-term deficiency of folic acid is fraught with the development of defects in the development of the nervous system in the fetus.

In addition to participating in the creation of fetal cells, this vitamin is used to replace the cells of a pregnant woman’s body, since human cells are constantly renewed. Folic acid takes part in the formation of all formed elements of blood. In addition, it provides a good mood by participating in the exchange of biologically active substances serotonin and adrenaline, which significantly affect the state of the nervous system, stimulates appetite at the sight of food, participating in the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach,

During pregnancy, folic acid deficiency leads to the formation of neural tube defects: absence of the brain, hydrocephalus (hydrocephalus), the formation of cerebral hernias, spina bifida. In addition, the formation of malformations of the cardiovascular system and cleft lip and palate (cleft lip and cleft palate). A deficiency of this vitamin disrupts the formation of the placenta, increasing the likelihood of miscarriage, partial placental abruption, stillbirth, and delayed fetal development. Studies have shown that about 75% of cases of such defects can be prevented if a woman starts taking folic acid supplements before pregnancy.

It is important to continue the use of folic acid during breastfeeding, when the need for it even exceeds the need of a pregnant woman. Folic acid deficiency has a significant impact on the formation of postpartum depression, apathy, weakness, and causes a decrease in milk supply. In addition, a deficiency of this vitamin in a nursing mother leads to its low content in breast milk and, as a consequence, to its deficiency in the child. In children with folic acid deficiency, in addition to anemia, there is a lag in weight, delayed psychomotor development, decreased immunity, and impaired intestinal function.

Folic acid dosage during pregnancy

The minimum daily requirement for folic acid under normal conditions is 50 mcg, but when the need increases, for example during pregnancy, it can increase several times. In Russia, it is believed that the folic acid requirement of pregnant women without signs of deficiency of this vitamin is 400 mcg per day. For nursing mothers, this requirement is 600 mcg per day. Considering that folic acid deficiency is especially dangerous in the first weeks of pregnancy, it is recommended to take this vitamin in preparation for pregnancy (at least three months), as well as during the entire period of gestation. A standard folic acid tablet contains 1 mg; folic acid content in multivitamins ranges from 300 mcg to 1 mg. Thus, taking one tablet of folic acid per day or multivitamins containing, among others, this vitamin covers the daily need for it by 100-200%. Taking such doses of folic acid is safe.

In women for therapeutic purposes, the dose can be increased to 5 mg per day. The course of treatment is 20-30 days. High doses of folic acid during preparation for pregnancy and in the first third are also prescribed to women who have already had children with folate-dependent developmental defects.

Safety of folic acid use

Folic acid is not toxic to humans. There are studies on long-term use of 15 mg of folic acid per day (40 times the daily dosage), which did not reveal any toxic effects of this drug. However, long-term use (over 3 months) of high doses of folic acid can help reduce the level of vitamin B12 in the blood, which can lead to anemia. Large doses of folic acid sometimes cause gastrointestinal disorders, increased nervous excitability, and functional changes in the kidneys.

Contraindications to the use of folic acid are cases of an individual allergic reaction to the drug.

It is important to take folic acid regularly. However, given that any folic acid supplement covers the daily requirement for it, you should not worry if you miss your next dose. Just take the drug when you remember.

Many medications can affect the absorption, utilization, and storage of folic acid in the body. It is better to take folic acid together with vitamins B 12 and C. Additional intake of bifidobacteria helps to increase the synthesis of folic acid in the large intestine.

On the contrary, when taking alcohol, antacids (drugs that neutralize hydrochloric acid - ALMAGEL, MAALOX etc.), sulfonamides, antiepileptic drugs, the absorption of folic acid in the intestine is significantly reduced. Reception ASPIRIN in high doses, nitrofuran drugs (prescribed for urinary tract infections), oral contraceptives, corticosteroid hormones reduce the concentration of folic acid in the blood.

Checked: no risk!

In the USA, there is a law obliging manufacturers to add fairly high doses of folic acid to flour in order to prevent deficiency of this vitamin in the population. In addition, in the USA, the preventive dosage of folic acid is 2 times higher than in Russia. No negative effects on the genotype of folic acid doses used in Russia have been identified.

Folic acid is a synthetic vitamin recommended for pregnant women.

It is required for the stable occurrence of various processes and the functioning of the intestines and stomach, immune, nervous and other systems.

If the intestinal microflora is normal, the body itself can produce a small percentage of this acid, which needs to be replenished. A deficiency of this vitamin can contribute.

Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin, the content of which is required for the stable development of the circulatory system and immunity.

Derivatives of the substance include di-, tri- and polyglutamates, united under the name folacin.

Folic acid was isolated in 1941 from spinach. This discovery was preceded by research by Lucy Wills. She concluded that the use of yeast extract leads to.

This observation led researchers to the need to isolate and identify vitamin B9. A group of scientists succeeded in synthesizing acid chemically in 1945.

The biological role of folic acid is to design healthy cells and maintain them in normal condition.

The vitamin is especially useful for the intrauterine development of fetal tissues and cells.

The norm of folic acid for women is 250 mcg per day. Pregnant women require much more of this component.

The importance of taking folic acid during pregnancy

Even those who are against synthetic vitamins do not try to dispute the need to take folic acid.

When it enters the body, the acid is converted into tetrahydrofolate, which is recognized as the most important component of enzymes and participates in biochemical processes.

Tetrahydrofolate helps the body produce amino acids that make up proteins.

Folic acid is responsible for the division of molecules that are required for the transmission of heredity traits.

Its use is relevant for pregnant women, because fetal cells must constantly participate in the division process to ensure its stable development. The purpose of acid during this period is due to its participation in the structure of the placental layer.

During embryonic development, vitamin B9 is actively used for hematopoiesis.

This element is necessary for a woman to maintain.

Folic acid is always prescribed in early pregnancy. In the second week, the place where the baby’s future brain will develop is already revealed in the embryo.

The sooner a woman starts consuming a synthetic vitamin, the less likely there is to be pathology in the baby’s nervous system.

The neural tube is formed on the sixteenth day after the baby is conceived. To stabilize this process, the inclusion of folic acid in the diet is required. Otherwise, the following defects of the fetal neural tube will appear:

Hydrocephalus.
and anemia.
Manifested brain hernias.
The process of spina bifida.
Anencephaly (no brain).

Other consequences include:

Cleft lip and palate.
Obvious development of defects in the baby’s cardiovascular system.
Disturbance in the formation of the placenta.
, stillbirth.
Inhibition of fetal formation.

It is important for pregnant women to avoid acid deficiency, because it has a beneficial effect not only on the fetus.

Folic acid can lead to the production of substances that are required for the normal functioning of the nervous system of the female body.

The vitamin is responsible for the normal secretion of gastric juice and the natural functioning of the digestive system.

Apathy, constant weakness throughout the body, sudden mood swings - all this can be triggered by the lack of a normal amount of acid in the body.

If you do not use the vitamin in a timely manner, you can cause active progression of megaloblastic anemia, which often causes the death of an infant.

Dosage

Women carrying a child require a higher dosage of folic acid - from 400 to 800 mcg per day.

If, after examination, a deficiency in vitamin B9 is detected, the dosage will need to be increased in accordance with the requirements of the attending physician.

It was mentioned that it is very important to start taking folic acid in the first weeks of pregnancy. The dosage in the first trimester should be 3 tablets per day, especially if there are clear signs of vitamin B9 deficiency.

There are factors that affect the rapid removal of folic acid from the body or increase its consumption.

These include: a diet on protein foods or a lack of plant foods, vomiting.

In the second trimester and later stages, the dose can be reduced to a tablet per day, provided that the normal content of vitamin B9 is restored. The natural intake rate in the third trimester should not exceed 300-350 mcg per day.

Basic preparations with folic acid

Folacin.

This is a vitamin preparation with folic acid as an active ingredient. The product is available in 5 mg tablets. Folacin is required to prevent defects in the fetal nervous system and nutritional acid deficiency. The recommended dosage is 0.0004 g per day.

Folacin is prescribed in the first months of gestation.

Folic acid tablets.

Tablets are a dosage form of folic acid. The content of the active substance in one tablet is 1 mg or 1000 mcg.

An overdose when consuming folic acid in its pure form is excluded. Tablets are indicated for the treatment of megaloblastic anemia, maintaining the normal condition of the pregnant woman and fetus.

Folio.

It is a vitamin complex that can compensate for the lack of folic acid and iodine deficiency in the body.

It can be classified as a group of dietary supplements.

Folio should also be taken during pregnancy and lactation.

The drug regulates production processes, participates in the synthesis of nucleic acids, preventing the development of neural tube defects in the fetus.

Folic acid in multivitamins

Folic acid is included. Here are the main ones:

Elevit.

Materna.

This preparation contains 1 mcg of vitamin B9. Prescribe 1-2 tablets depending on the content of folic acid in the pregnant woman’s body. It is recommended to take vitamins in the morning on an empty stomach.

Each tablet contains 800 mcg of vitamin B. It is better to take no more than one tablet per day.

Mom is complimentary.

The tablet contains 400 mcg of folic acid. It is better to take 2 tablets depending on the vitamin content. If a deficiency is observed, an increase in dose is likely.

Pregnavit capsules.

One capsule – 750 mcg. The correct dosage is one capsule per day.

Alphabet "Mom's Health".

Contains 300 mcg of vitamin B. It is allowed to take 2 tablets daily - in the morning and evening.

Multitabs Perinatal.

Folic acid in food

The list contains products with the highest content of the component. Concentration per 100 g of product is indicated:

Contraindications and side effects

Many pregnant women worry about overdosing on folic acid medications. But this happens extremely rarely - you need to take about 20 tablets for an overdose to occur.

In exceptional cases, the following may occur: nausea, vomiting, insomnia, diarrhea. Such symptoms require consulting a doctor.

Contraindications include:

Bronchial asthma.
Oncological diseases (inevitably leads to the growth of malignant tumors).
and other kidney diseases

It is recommended to use special products with a very high content of vitamin B9. You should adhere to the dose prescribed by your doctor. Acid deficiency should not be allowed already at the initial stage of pregnancy.

Excess vitamin can be excreted in the urine, which prevents its side effects from appearing.

A lack of useful acid can lead to significant disturbances in the further development of the fetus and termination of pregnancy.

For women planning a child, or already pregnant, doctors prescribe vitamin B9 (folate, folacin). What is it, what does it do, what does it look like in the photo and why is it useful to take folic acid during pregnancy?

Folacin is a water-soluble vitamin that is actively involved in the fundamental processes of the body. It is synthesized by bacteria that live in the intestines in small quantities. Therefore, the basic need can only be satisfied from the outside.

Acid is prescribed if there is a shortage in the body. With a deficiency, the processes of hematopoiesis, the formation of leukocytes, platelets, red blood cells, and the absorption of iron are disrupted. The substance is involved in the synthesis of amino acids RNA and DNA, helps the egg mature, and maintains optimal levels of homocysteine, which is responsible for heart health.

At the beginning of pregnancy, acid is prescribed to prevent the development of defects in the nervous system of the fetus; in the later stages, it helps the expectant mother normalize the functioning of the body. This is the valuable effect of this vitamin.

The benefits and harms of folic acid during pregnancy

If it’s prescribed, it means it’s missing

At the beginning of gestation, intensive division of the neural tube of the embryo occurs, the spinal cord and brain are formed. A woman may not know that she has conceived, but important processes of the birth of a new life are already taking place in her body.

At the beginning of pregnancy, acid is especially useful. Taking it prevents spinal fissures, congenital absence of the spinal cord or brain, and cerebral hernias in a child.

A lack of vitamin B9 is harmful because:

increases the likelihood of mental retardation in a child;
disrupts the formation of the placenta, provokes abruption, causes spontaneous abortion;
leads to congenital defects, fetal deformities, pathologies of the cardiovascular system, the formation of cleft lip and cleft palate (cleft palate).

It is necessary to take folacin in late pregnancy. A sufficient amount of it prevents the development of postpartum depression, reduces apathy, and improves lactation.

Problems can be minimized even when planning pregnancy and during pregnancy if you take acid preparations. After all, it is impossible to create a supply of it, and it is difficult to obtain it from food.

According to statistics, folate deficiency occurs in 50% of women. Studies have shown that their regular use during planning and at the beginning of pregnancy reduces the risk of fetal defects by 80%. In large doses, acid is harmful. Therefore, you need to take it according to your doctor’s recommendations.

Symptoms of excess and deficiency of folic acid during pregnancy

B9 deficiency develops rapidly. The first symptoms appear within a week, and a month-long lack of acid leads to a critical condition:

pale skin;
irritability;
nervousness;
fatigue;
low performance;
memory and attention impairment;
the appearance of age spots and acne on the skin;
sudden weight loss.

These signs are nonspecific and may indicate stress or be a variant of the norm during pregnancy. But if you do not compensate for the lack of acid, this is fraught with dangerous consequences for the fetus and the expectant mother.

You can accurately determine the level of folacin in the body by taking a blood test. Normal values range from 7–45 nmol/l.

Very useful for the child too

Instructions for use of folic acid

Vitamin B9 tablets are the same drug as the others. Therefore, you should not take it without a doctor's prescription. The official manufacturers' instructions contain recommended daily and single doses, methods of taking the acid, how long to use it, and how to use it correctly. Therefore, all women must read it.

According to clinical recommendations under order 572n, the daily dose of folacin is 0.4 mg. According to other data, to maintain pregnancy in the first months, you need to take 0.8 mg per day. The doctor decides whether it is too much or too little.

The medication begins 6 months before the planned conception, and the optimal duration is up to 12 weeks of gestation. In the last trimester, doctors also often advise taking acid.

Usually the entire dose is given at one time. This should be done in the morning a quarter of an hour after breakfast, washed down with water. You should not take folacin before meals, as it increases acidity on an empty stomach, causing problems with the gastrointestinal tract. And in pregnant women with toxicosis it can lead to nausea and vomiting.

Doctors prescribe doses higher than prophylactic for pregnant women with established vitamin B9 deficiency, as well as in the following cases:

the presence of factors that increase folate intake or accelerate its excretion;
high risk of nervous system abnormalities (epilepsy, diabetes mellitus in pregnant women);
presence of developmental defects in the family history;
disruption of the stomach and intestines.

Take strictly according to prescription

What is the dosage of folic acid for pregnant women

Folacin deficiency is especially critical in the earliest stages, in the first 2 weeks. Therefore, doctors recommend starting to take it at the planning stage. But there is no clear answer to how long you need to take the drug. Some prescribe it even in the later months of pregnancy.

Doctors insist that women take vitamin B9 in the first trimester. During this period, it is of maximum importance; even a slight lack of it can negatively affect the fetus.

Many pregnant women are advised not to stop taking it for the entire 9 months. This is especially true for women with pathologies or twins. Here, folacin in the second and even the last trimester will not hurt.

Prophylactic doses according to instructions:

minimum – 400 mcg (0.4 mg)/day;
maximum – 800 mcg (0.8 mg)/day.

If the deficiency is pronounced, a dosage of 5 mg is needed. Unauthorized consumption of this amount of vitamin is contraindicated, as it can be dangerous.

May be prescribed for prevention

Acid tablets are available in 100, 400, 1000, 5000 mcg. To prevent deficiency, capsules containing 400–1000 mcg are prescribed in an amount of 1 piece daily. The dose of 0.5 mg is therapeutic. Folacin is often prescribed with vitamin E. The substances potentiate each other’s effects during pregnancy.

When to stop taking folic acid

The question of until what week you drink folacin is individual. The doctor decides the period of withdrawal.

Consultation with a doctor is required

Which folic acid is best to take during pregnancy?

Most often, women are prescribed complexes. These are preparations containing preventive doses of vitamins and minerals (E, folacin, ascorbic acid, iodine, iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium). Here are their names and photos:

Folio;
Elevit;
Pregnavite;
Spirulina;
Multitabs;
Centrum.

When taking any of these drugs, the body is replenished with the required daily intake of vitamin B9, as well as other microelements. The advantage of complex products is that you do not need to purchase different medications, since all the substances contain one tablet.

Monopreparations of folacin are often prescribed together with other drugs: Omega-3, Iodomarin, Vitamin E. The patient and the doctor decide which method and regimen to choose.

Rich in vitamin B9

List of foods with folic acid for pregnant women

If a woman prefers to use natural sources of folate instead of medications, she needs to know which foods are high in folate. This:

cereals: rice, buckwheat, oatmeal;
vegetables: carrots, tomatoes, asparagus, beets;
walnuts;
cottage cheese;
milk powder;
beans;
green peas;
egg yolk;
wholemeal bread;
beef liver.

These foods should be included in your daily diet to prevent folate deficiency.

Folic acid has no analogues

Folic acid analogues

Those who are allergic to folacin are wondering what to replace it with to ensure the health of their unborn baby? There are no analogues of vitamin B9. The only way out is to give up drugs based on it and get the required daily amount with food.

Allergy to folic acid during pregnancy: symptoms and treatment

Signs:

widespread rash accompanied by itching, burning, urticaria;
Quincke's edema - mucous membrane, skin or tissue, poses a threat to life if it spreads to the larynx;
anaphylactic shock;
eczema;
bronchial asthma.

If a woman notices symptoms, as in the photo, while taking vitamin B9, what should she do? You must stop taking the medicine and consult a doctor. Typically, antihistamines and enterosorbents are prescribed to treat allergies.

Causes allergies in the form of acne and swelling

What are the dangers of overdose?

An excess of vitamin can lead to:

increased excitability: a woman becomes irritated, prone to insomnia, frequent mood swings;
digestive disorders: nausea, bitter or metallic taste in the mouth, stool disorders;
functional changes in the kidneys;
allergic reactions: skin rash, itching, urticaria.

In pregnant women, an overdose can be recognized by an excessive increase in fetal weight. There is a risk of obesity, diabetes, asthma, and a tendency to allergies in the child.

It is difficult to achieve excess acid, since its excess is excreted in the urine. Usually there is a lot of it in pathologies of the kidneys and liver.

Adverse reactions are rare, folacin preparations are well tolerated, with the exception of people prone to allergies. For them, the product can be dangerous.

Beware of overdose

Should I take folic acid after a frozen pregnancy?

If the fetus dies, it is necessary to maintain a balanced diet and take vitamins, including folacin, to ensure a normal next pregnancy. This will help improve the health of the body, restore immunity and hormonal levels.

How much does folic acid cost for pregnant women: price in pharmacies

You can buy vitamins containing folate at the following prices:

Acid in tablets – 38 rubles;
Folacin – 130 rubles;
Folio – 690 rub.;
Elevit – 580 rub.;
Spirulina – 1115 rub.;
Centrum – 514 rub.

Folic acid throughout pregnancy: reviews

Ksenia Sumskaya.

I drank Elevit. It contains folk music too. The gynecologist canceled at 20 weeks. She said it was good for the child.

Oksana Surova.

I don't trust doctors. We gave birth before without all these dietary supplements and vitamins. And nothing. And for folk to be in the body, you need to eat buckwheat, eggs and beef liver.

: Borovikova Olga

gynecologist, ultrasound doctor, geneticist

Between 20 and 100% of the population is deficient in folic acid. At the same time, they may not even realize that they have a similar problem, and they cannot even imagine what this means for them. Vitamin B9 (aka folic acid) is one of the most essential for the human body. Moreover, it is a vital vitamin. But this is what is most often missing. Especially in children and pregnant women.

Folic acid deficiency can go unnoticed. But over time, a person loses his appetite, becomes irritable, gets tired quickly, then diarrhea begins, vomiting, and, in the end, ulcers appear in the mouth and hair falls out. Metabolic processes, the formation of red blood cells, the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular, immune and nervous systems - vitamin B9 is involved in many processes. Severe vitamin B9 deficiency inevitably results in megaloblastic anemia, which can be fatal.

Why does your baby need folic acid?

Each organism, with a normal state of intestinal microflora, can produce a small amount of folic acid. However, it does not cover the needs for this vitamin. So we all must ensure that we receive it along with food and vitamin complexes.

During pregnancy, the need for folic acid increases significantly. Just like its importance. This vitamin is actively involved in the formation of the placenta, so its deficiency can cause placental insufficiency and cause premature termination of pregnancy. Together with vitamin B12, folic acid is necessary for cell division, which is especially important for tissues that are actively dividing - that is, during the formation and growth of the embryo. It is involved in hematopoiesis (in the formation of red blood cells, leukocytes, platelets) and is necessary for the formation of nucleic acids (RNA and DNA) involved in the transmission of hereditary characteristics.

Folic acid plays a very important role in the formation of the fetal neural tube. Vitamin B9 deficiency is fraught with the development of very severe defects in the fetus. The risks for him with folic acid deficiency during fetal development (especially in the early stages) are very high:

hydrocephalus;
anencephaly (absence of the brain);
cerebral hernias;
delayed mental and physical development;
congenital deformities;
spinal column defects;
premature termination of pregnancy;
stillbirth.

Pregnant women also suffer from a lack of folic acid. Vitamin B9 deficiency causes leg pain.

When is folic acid needed during pregnancy?

Folic acid is necessary for absolutely every pregnant woman. This is the only vitamin whose importance and the need for additional intake during pregnancy are not denied even by the most ardent opponents of artificial vitamins.

All processes that occur with the participation of folic acid during the formation of the fetus, the development of its organs, physical and mental health, occur in the very early stages of pregnancy - when the woman does not even know about it. On the 16th day after conception, the neural tube begins to form. This process is especially important and, as we have already said, a sufficient amount of vitamin B9 is necessary for its normal completion. It is most important that it enters the body of the expectant mother in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Therefore, it is ideal to take.

But even if you found out about pregnancy much later than you would like, it is still not too late and you really need to take folic acid. The neural tube undergoes various changes throughout the first trimester.

Sources of folic acid for pregnant women

"Folium" means "leaf" in Latin. So folic acid speaks for itself. The most vitamin B9 is found in wholemeal flour and green leafy greens: spinach, parsley, lettuce, onions, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, as well as green peas, avocados, citrus fruits and juices, melon, pumpkin, apricots, beans, yeast. Therefore, vegetarians, as a rule, do not lack it. However, if you consume little plant foods (especially in winter), you definitely need to take an additional vitamin. Of the animal sources, the richest is liver. Significantly less B9 in meat, fish, cheese.

If the health of a pregnant woman is in order and there is no need to take folic acid in high doses, then for the normal development and course of pregnancy the amount contained in vitamin complexes for pregnant women is sufficient. If you are prescribed it additionally, you should always consider its content in your vitamins and set the dosage with this in mind.

Daily dose of folic acid during pregnancy

An adult needs 200 mcg of folic acid per day for normal functioning. But during pregnancy, the need for it doubles - up to 400 mcg. And according to some data, it may be 800 mcg. Many women are embarrassed by what they consider to be high numbers. But there is no reason to worry. An overdose of folic acid can only occur when a person takes hundreds of times the dose of the drug - this is approximately 25-30 tablets per day. In other cases, excess folic acid is simply eliminated from the body without any consequences.

A larger prophylactic dose is required when a pregnant woman is deficient in folic acid, as well as for certain health problems and predisposition to their occurrence:

if there are factors that increase the consumption of folic acid or accelerate its excretion;
if there is a high risk of developing neural tube defects (in women with epilepsy, with);
if there are any developmental defects in relatives;
problems with the gastrointestinal tract;
vomiting in pregnant women.

If at least one of the listed circumstances is present, the dose of folic acid should be increased additionally to 2-3 tablets per day. The tablets should be taken orally after meals.

Overdose of folic acid during pregnancy

Many women are embarrassed by what they consider to be high numbers. But there is no cause for concern, doctors assure. An overdose of folic acid can only occur when a person takes hundreds of times the dose of the drug - this is approximately 25-30 tablets per day. In other cases, excess folic acid is simply eliminated from the body without any consequences.

However, a scientific experiment was conducted in Norway, which established the following fact: women whose blood plasma had an increased level of folic acid were one and a half times more likely to give birth to children prone to asthmatic diseases. Unfortunately, there are no specific doses at which an excess of vitamin B9 occurs during pregnancy.

If you are concerned that your dosage is too high, talk to another doctor about this. But, as we have already mentioned, a slight excess of the dose is not dangerous.

What else do pregnant women need to know about folic acid?

The removal of folic acid from the body accelerates during pregnancy.
Strong tea accelerates the removal of folic acid from the body.
The need for folic acid is increased by some medications: antacids (Almagel, Phosphalugel), estrogens, anticonvulsants (Carbamazepine, Phenytoin), zinc preparations.
As with any other drug, allergic reactions to folic acid can also occur.
In addition to participating in the creation of cells of the fetal nervous system, this vitamin is spent on “repairing” and replacing about 70 trillion of the mother’s cells, since human cells are constantly renewed.
Folic acid deficiency is transmitted from mother to fetus or newborn baby due to insufficient folic acid levels in the mother's body during pregnancy and a lack of folic acid in breast milk.
To preserve the folic acid in vegetables, eat them raw or steamed.

Especially for - Elena Kichak

From Guest

The gynecologist also prescribed me folic acid, it is part of Folionorm. It’s convenient that just 1 tablet contains the necessary vitamins for my doll.

From Guest

In general, it’s good to start taking folk music at the planning stage. About three months before the expected conception. The doctor prescribed me folic acid for 9 months, it has a very convenient dosage - 400 mcg, exactly the daily norm. No hassles, just take one tablet a day. And already during pregnancy, as prescribed by your doctor, you can take 2 tablets. In any case, it is very convenient and beneficial compared to the same angiovit. The article is very correct because many people still underestimate the importance of taking folic acid before and during pregnancy. But this is the baby’s health!

From Guest

I also took vitamin B9 both before and during pregnancy. I liked folic acid for 9 months the most, because I don’t need to bother with the dosage and calculate, I took one tablet a day and that’s it! I believe that the fact that our daughter was born healthy is thanks to this drug. And of course, a healthy lifestyle in general is also very important!

From Guest

Folic acid is a B vitamin, prescribed when planning pregnancy, treating anemia. I think many of us took it during pregnancy. I took the German drug Folio (folic acid + iodine in one tablet) in the first trimester of pregnancy, and during the period when breastfed. Folic acid almost halves the incidence of congenital malformations in newborns. It is necessary for the formation of blood cells, accelerates the healing of wounds, and is necessary where constant cell division occurs. Therefore, it is very important to take Folio in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. pcs., reasonable price, German quality, ease of use (once a day in the morning). This is why I chose this drug.

From Guest

Angiovitis is a drug that was prescribed to me by the supervising doctor during pregnancy. As the doctor explained, this drug contains folic salt, which is necessary for the unborn baby. Especially in the early stages of pregnancy, when it is determined what mental and physical health will be. This drug also contains vitamin B9, which is necessary for fetal development in the first three months of pregnancy. I started taking the drug as soon as the delay began, but in general doctors recommend taking Angiovit while planning a child. By the way, absolutely all doctors recommended this drug to me, so I can safely take it.

From Guest

I learned about the drug "Angiovit" from my older sister. At forty-five years old, she was on the verge of a heart attack. Her condition often frightened us. Whatever we did to help her. And so they bought her a ticket to a sanatorium, where she could treat her heart. They arrived from the sanatorium cheerful and clearly with positive results. There were amazing doctors and procedures there. The cardiologist prescribed her to take "Angiovit" for one month, and we saw the result after two weeks of taking the drug. When she finished taking this amazing drug, her heart problems also ended. We now advise everyone, if they have heart problems, to take a course of "Angiovit", of course, after consulting with their doctor first... This drug is recommended for pregnant women to take to control the level of homocysteine in the blood.

From Guest

Folic acid during pregnancy is like brilliant green for a wound, the simplest thing you can think of. Now there is a more advanced remedy, when I was in conservancy, the doctor prescribed me the vitamin complex Angiovit. A partially targeted and safe drug for pregnant women, it has a good effect on the circulatory system of mother and baby, and is also good for the heart. Contains the daily requirement of all essential vitamins, which cannot always be obtained from regular food, and some are completely impossible. I took the full course, I felt much more cheerful and better, I recommend it.

From Guest

In general, folic acid, according to my gynecologist, should be taken before pregnancy, during it, and after, when breastfeeding. They didn’t prescribe it to me in its pure form, I took it in the drug Angiovit, in addition to it there are several other substances useful for pregnant women. And the prices are not outrageous, I took about 150 rubles, which is quite inexpensive compared to other analogues. I took the course 2 times, in the first trimester and before giving birth. There were no side effects, and the tests were always good

From Guest

Oh, I don’t know, girls, I’ve heard completely opposite opinions about this folic acid. It's better not to take risks, I think so. Now there are a lot of alternatives, for example, Angiovit. A very good drug for supporting the heart and blood vessels in general. With our ecology and weather changes, even a healthy person, like it or not, needs support for the body. It is also suitable for pregnant women; even at the stage of fetal formation, it helps to avoid the development of various diseases in the baby, and regulates the level of homocysteine in the mother. Of course, you need to see a doctor, but the drug is good, I repeat.

From Guest

My friend felt very bad during pregnancy and didn’t know what to do. The doctor prescribed her Angiovitis due to elevated homocysteine levels. After the first trimester she felt better. In general, angiovitis is usually prescribed because of folic acid, which is in the composition.... Her weakness disappeared, she felt light, wanted to move more, and the swelling went away. The baby was born on time and healthy.

From Guest

This drug was recommended to me by my gynecologist before planning a pregnancy. It contains vitamins that have a good effect on the condition of blood vessels. It normalizes microcirculation of the walls of capillaries and all blood vessels. I have been taking Angiovitis for almost two months now. Afterwards, my emotional state improved and I became less nervous. My sleep improved and I became more alert. It is intended to prevent vitamin deficiency in the body.