Did you know that your body, right at this very moment, is experiencing a lack of folic acid? And it's true! According to statistics, from 20 to 100% of citizens need to “refuel” with this useful substance. And by the way, this is quite a serious problem, since vitamin B9 (that is, folic acid) is vital for us.
What is it for? This vitamin, unfamiliar to many, works daily in our body, being responsible for metabolic processes, the functioning of the digestive tract, the production of red blood cells, and also for ensuring that both our immune and our nervous systems work like clockwork. If we block access to B9 in our body, everything can end very sadly - first megaloblastic anemia will come, and then death.
But do not worry - your body will not be completely deprived of folic acid, if only because in a healthy body it is even produced by itself, albeit in miniature doses. Although, of course, our task is not only to spend, but also to replenish these “strategic reserves”. This is easy to do - either choose the right foods, or drink vitamins with B9 in the composition.
Why is folic acid needed during pregnancy?
Expectant mothers need this acid more than other people. This worker-vitamin is included in the formation of the placenta, that is, it is necessary so that you can endure your baby without complications and hospitalization.
In addition, this vitamin, like its "incomplete namesake" - B12, helps to divide cells, so during periods of active growth of your little one, when he becomes a little man from a "strawberry", the importance of these vitamins can hardly be overestimated. Also, as mentioned above, he takes an active part in hematopoiesis (which is important not only for the mother, but also for the baby growing in the belly). And of course, this is an important component of the DNA formation process, which is extremely important when conceiving a future copy of dad or mom.
Finally, vitamin B9 is involved in the formation of your baby's neural tube. If this valuable substance is not enough in the "bins" of your body, the baby will not form as it should, which means that the matter may end in dangerous defects in the baby.
In general, if in the first trimester of pregnancy (and in subsequent trimesters too) a woman is not given folic acid, the fetus is threatened:
- hydrocephalus,
- developmental delay, physical and/or mental,
- cerebral herniation,
- complete absence of the brain,
- spinal defects,
- termination of pregnancy due to spontaneous abortion,
- stillbirth.
Yes, and the mother’s body in this case will also be at risk of anemia, as well as increased signs of unpleasant “pregnant” toxicosis, pain in the muscles of the legs and a depressive state of mind.
When is folic acid needed during pregnancy?
It is difficult to find a “waiter” that does not need vitamin B9. Even doctors who do not welcome the purchase of pharmacy vitamins by pregnant women invariably prescribe folic acid to their patients. Moreover, you need to go to the doctor and start drinking such drugs as soon as you notice two cherished "sticks" on the test. All the processes in which valuable acid is involved occur in the body of your future butuzik in the very early stages of pregnancy, even when you do not even know about the onset of a happy situation.
Yes, the neural tube - the basis of the mental health of the fetus - begins to form as early as the sixteenth day after conception. So do not put off a visit to the pharmacy - in the first three months of pregnancy, you must consume folic acid without fail. And even better if you drink a course of such vitamins even before pregnancy (of course, if you and your husband decide to have a baby consciously and purposefully engaged in family planning). Although if the "stork" flew in unexpectedly, and simply put you in front of the fact that your family will soon replenish, do not worry - it's not scary if you start taking vitamins in the 1st trimester. The neural tube of the baby will have time to "grow".
Dosage of folic acid during pregnancy
A normal, “non-pregnant” body needs about 200 micrograms of vitamin B9 per day. But the needs of the expectant mother increase many times, so the doctors prescribe to the “waiters” to take from 800 to 1000 mcg per day.
The more your body lacks this substance, the higher the dose will be advised by the gynecologist. And, in addition, certain diseases, or the predisposition of the body of a young mother to their occurrence, may require an increase in folic acid intake.
These include:
- the reasons why a particular organism removes acid faster than others,
- diabetes mellitus or epilepsy (in these cases, the child is at risk of developing a neural tube defect),
- problems with the stomach and other organs of the digestive system,
- frequent vomiting at the "waiter",
- malformations with which the next of kin of the unborn child was born.
If you have at least one of the above risks, be prepared to take two to three more tablets per day. By the way, you should drink them after breakfast and / or dinner.
Folic acid overdose during pregnancy
Of course, 1000 mcg sounds very incomprehensible and even threatening. Some mothers are worried - are these vitamins superfluous? However, doctors are sure that it is extremely difficult to overdose folic acid. Excessive can be called except that 30 "pellets" per day. If you eat one or two more than you really need, the unused vitamin B9 will simply be removed from your body without any side effects.
What else pregnant women need to know about folic acid
In an "interesting position" this vitamin is excreted from the body faster than before pregnancy.
If you like strong tea, remember - it brings out the "folk" much faster than water or fruit drinks.
If you have been prescribed medications such as estrogens, zinc-containing medications, antacids (say, Almagel), and anticonvulsant medications (such as Phenytoin), you may need to increase your B9 daily intake.
Sometimes this substance can cause allergies (albeit in very, very rare cases).
This vitamin is found in many vegetables - however, frying or stewing almost completely kills it. But if you like salads, folic acid will enter your body not only from the pharmacy, but also from vegetables.
This substance helps your cells renew themselves.
The lack of B9 is transmitted not only to the fetus, but also to the newborn, who will receive less of this substance, eating mother's milk.
Especially during the planning period, almost every doctor prescribes. Interestingly, even ardent opponents of any drugs during pregnancy, folic acid is favorably treated. And not in vain, because the lack of this vitamin (and folic acid is vitamin B9) in the body of a future mother is fraught with many unpleasant consequences. Folic acid is of great importance during pregnancy, as it takes part in DNA synthesis, participates in the process of cell division and growth, as well as in the process of hematopoiesis, it is essential when laying the fetal nervous system, prevents the appearance of defects in the brain, neural tube, etc. d.
Doctors say that a serious deficiency of folic acid is observed in every second pregnant woman. And it is extremely dangerous both for the unborn baby and for the mother herself. Folic acid deficiency causes:
- the formation of defects in the nervous system (absence of the brain, cerebral hernia, spina bifida, dropsy of the brain);
- possible defects of the cardiovascular system and splitting of the lips;
- violation of the processes of formation of the placenta;
- an increased likelihood of miscarriages, placental abruption, fetal growth retardation and other troubles.
It’s not worth rushing from one extreme to another, and many, unfortunately, do just that: optimists do not believe in the “doctors’ prophecies”, and pessimists after the first paragraph are ready to run to the pharmacy and swallow tons of everything that can eliminate folacin deficiency. But, as they say, in everything you need to observe the "golden mean". In this case, it is better to listen to the doctors and during pregnancy do not refuse to take folic acid. The main thing is to correctly set the dosage of this vitamin, taking into account the needs of your body.
Doctors believe that an adult's need for vitamin B9 is 200 micrograms (0.2 mg). During pregnancy, it naturally increases. The minimum "daily dose" becomes 400 mcg (0.4 mg), and the maximum - 800 mcg (0.8 mg) of folic acid. If the pregnant woman is at risk (i.e. vitamin B9 deficiency is proven), then the daily dose increases to 5 mg of folacin.
But how to understand these dosages and pharmaceutical preparations of folic acid? Firstly, we carefully study the instructions, and secondly, we listen to the recommendations of the doctor.
The most common are folic acid tablets, which contain 1,000 micrograms (1 mg) of folic acid. Doctors recommend taking one tablet of this drug during pregnancy. Overdose in this case is impossible.
However, with a pronounced deficiency of vitamin B9 in the "pregnant" body, most likely you will be prescribed a more "strong" drug: Folacin or Apo-Folic. One tablet of these drugs contains 5000 mcg (5 mg) of folic acid, and these are already therapeutic doses.
You should also consider the composition of other "pregnant" vitamins that you are taking. Usually, all complex vitamin preparations contain the right dose of folic acid. For example, the Folio preparation contains 400 mcg of folic acid and 200 mcg of iodine, in the preparations Materna and Elevit - 1000 mcg each, Vitrum prenatal - 800 mcg, Multi-tabs - 400 mcg, Pregnavit - 750 mcg of vitamin B9. If you are taking any of these or other drugs, you will not need to take folic acid supplements. Unless, of course, there is a deficiency of the necessary vitamin.
And finally, the question of taking folic acid is no less important: is an overdose possible and why is it dangerous for the child and the expectant mother? Folic acid is absolutely non-toxic to humans. Its excess is independently excreted from the body, however, long-term use of high doses of folic acid is fraught with a certain threat: the content of vitamin B12 in the blood decreases, and this can lead to anemia, gastrointestinal disorders may occur, functional changes in the kidneys, often observed increased nervous excitability. This happens if you take 10-15 mg of folic acid daily for 3 months or more. It is unlikely that an adequate woman will swallow 15 folacin tablets in one day.
And for those who are still firmly on the “drug-free” pregnancy, we offer a set of products that contain a large amount of vitamin B9: vegetables with dark green leaves (green peas, beans, lentils, spinach, broccoli, parsley, green onions, cabbage , soybeans, beets, asparagus, carrots, tomatoes), some fruits (watermelon, peaches), wholemeal bakery products, wheat germ, rice, oatmeal and buckwheat, milk powder, kefir, sunflower seeds, cheese, egg yolk, caviar, beef liver. It is no secret that a complete balanced diet makes up for vitamin deficiencies in every body. In any case, even if we are talking about folic acid, and everyone around is saying: It is necessary! - Do not make a decision without consulting a doctor.
Health to you and your peanuts in the belly!
Specially for- Tanya Kivezhdiy
Vitamin B 9 plays an important role in the body. This is especially true for pregnant women. Therefore, doctors often prescribe folic acid (this is a synonym for vitamin B 9), which is so necessary for expectant mothers. This happens in almost every case when a woman carries a child. Vitamin B 9 is involved in many important processes. So, it is responsible for the formation of blood cells, participates in the structure of DNA, helps to strengthen the immune system. Its use is necessary for the formation of the neural tube without pathologies. In the event of violations in the development of the embryo, very negative consequences can appear, leading to difficulties in the physical and mental activity of the unborn child.
With such an extensive value of the drug and its frequent use, many have a lot of questions about how to drink this vitamin. In this article, you can find detailed instructions for use, learn about the required dose, how much time you need to take the drug, and what precautions to take.
What causes a lack of vitamin B 9
According to statistics, about 20% of the total population experience group B hypovitaminosis. However, acid deficiency is not always acutely noticeable. As a rule, only a doctor can reliably establish the lack of this substance.
An insufficient amount of folic acid during the gestation period responds, first of all, to violations in the proper formation and development of the nervous system in the unborn child. Due to this factor, the following defects may appear in the fetus:
- hydrocephalus;
- anencephaly (lack of brain structure);
- cerebral hernia;
- hampered mental and physical development.
In addition, insufficient content of B 9 in the body during gestation contributes to the development of the so-called “open back” syndrome. This implies spinal fusion. Other defects of the spinal column are also possible. With a lack of folic acid, there is a high risk that the child will not be able to endure, since a deficiency increases the risk of premature termination of pregnancy.
Severe folic acid deficiency is quite rare. But the consequences are very severe. So, a lack of B 9 can cause irritability and a deterioration in appetite. Further, the negative consequences progress, and in addition to fatigue, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract appear (they are expressed in the form of diarrhea and vomiting). Hair may fall out intensely and small sores appear in the mouth. The result of a long and acute lack of acid can be fatal, which is caused by megaloblastic anemia.
Normally, a healthy human intestine can independently produce vitamin B 9 in a small amount. However, due to the abundant use of strong tea, various drugs (such as oral contraceptives, antacids, drugs that have an anticonvulsant effect, and those that contain zinc as the main active ingredient), its leaching is accelerated. Also, an excessively rapid withdrawal of folic acid from the body is provoked by pregnancy itself.
Therefore, doctors prescribe to future women in labor the use of vitamin B 9 as an additional therapy. This avoids the risk of developing many pathologies and brings the content of this substance back to normal.
When is folic acid needed?
Everyone needs this vitamin. It becomes especially acute during the bearing of a child. At the same time, folic acid is perhaps the only drug whose need for additional intake is not opposed even by the most convinced fighters with vitamins of artificial origin.
It is worth increasing the content of folic acid in your diet even at the stage of pregnancy planning, because in most cases the mother does not suspect the onset of pregnancy for the first few weeks.
Already on the 16th day after the fact of conception, the formation of the neural tube of the fetus begins. This is where folic acid plays an important role. It plays an equally important role in the process of the formation of the placenta in the body of a woman. In case of any violations, the risk of early or emergency termination of pregnancy increases. Therefore, it is extremely important that vitamin B 9 is in the required amount in the body and during the first 12 weeks of gestation.
But even if it happened that the woman found out about the fact of pregnancy later than it would have been worth to start taking it, you still need to drink folic acid. This is due to the fact that in the first trimester the neural tube undergoes significant changes, for the successful course of which vitamin B 9 is also needed.
Particular attention should be paid to taking this drug in the presence of the following risk factors that may adversely affect the development of the child.
- diabetes mellitus in pregnancy
- epilepsy,
- malformations in close relatives.
Why is it necessaryB9?
Folic acid plays a significant role for the baby. Despite the fact that it is normally produced by the intestines in a small amount, this may not be enough for the development of the fetus. There are a number of important processes that require the participation of vitamin B 9.
- Hematopoiesis. This acid is needed for the formation of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets.
- Formation of DNA and RNA. It is with them that all genetic information is transmitted.
- Together with vitamin B12, acid is essential for successful cell division which is so important for the growth and development of the unborn baby.
It is also worth noting that the pregnant woman herself suffers from vitamin B 9 deficiency. Deficiency causes anemia, acute toxicosis, depression, and pain in the legs.
Thus, folic acid during pregnancy is necessary in order to create conditions for the active growth and development of the unborn baby.
Dosage of folic acid
For normal health and the course of natural processes, there is a certain norm for the content of this substance in the body. So, for an adult, 2 mg per day is enough; for a pregnant woman, this dose doubles to 4 mg per day. If we talk about the presence of folic acid deficiency, then it is replenished with therapeutic dosages - 5 mg per day.
There are two ways to provide the necessary amount of acid in your body:
- taking special drugs;
- balanced diet.
Folic acid is most found in foods of plant origin. Wholemeal flour is especially rich in it. No less valuable in this regard are oranges, lemons, avocados. A lot of B 9 is also found in greens: parsley, spinach, asparagus, onions and green onions. Among animal sources, a large amount of this substance is found in the liver. Less in fish, meat or cheese. As a rule, those who adhere to a vegetarian diet do not face a lack of folic acid in their bodies, but the classic menu can cause beriberi. This is especially acute in the winter season.
The most effective and accurate is to compensate for the lack of B 9 with the help of special vitamins and drugs. The most popular are folic acid tablets. The content of the active substance in the preparation may vary, so it is better to check the dosage with your doctor. Much depends on the overall picture of the health of the future woman in labor. If the deficiency is pronounced, then the daily dose may be increased or another drug containing a high concentration of vitamin B 9 may be prescribed.
If the health of the expectant mother is normal, she is not in the group at risk (these are diabetics and those who suffer from epilepsy), then it is quite possible that there will be no need for an increased intake of folic acid. The dosage that is contained in special vitamin complexes will be enough. They are prescribed by many pregnant doctors. At the same time, while taking individual preparations containing only B 9, it is worth considering its amount in other means that the expectant mother takes. This vitamin is found in the complexes “MultiTabs”, “Pregnavit”, as well as specially developed “Vitrum Prenatal”, “Materna” and “Elevit”.
How to take folic acid
Instructions for use of this drug is very simple. A doctor can also tell you how to drink vitamin B 9. Also, this information is spelled out in the attached description.
It is best to take folic acid in the form of independent tablets. To fill the daily requirement, a small dosage is enough. Tablets should be drunk in the indicated amount after meals, while drinking water.
Overdose and side effects
Like all medicines, folic acid can cause allergic reactions during pregnancy. But this phenomenon is extremely rare, as well as an overdose of the drug. For the latter, daily intake should be ten times higher than the required dose - twenty-five tablets per day and more.
In other cases, an excess of this substance in the body is unlikely, since it is easily excreted naturally. It should be borne in mind that during pregnancy this process is significantly accelerated.
There are no exact studies on whether complications are possible with an increased intake of folic acid. However, in Norway, it was found that in women who took this drug with a significant overdose, children suffered from asthmatic diseases. If you are confused by the amount of folic acid that your doctor has prescribed for you, you can always consult with another specialist on this issue.
Any woman planning a pregnancy is obliged to take care of the health of her own and future baby in advance. For example, drink folic acid during pregnancy, as a vitamin preparation that helps reduce the possibility of developing pathologies in the fetus.
The benefits of the drug
Vitamin B9 or folate is found in many foods, such as yeast, liver, cottage cheese, green vegetables, cereals, and some fruits. But, in order to get the daily norm, it is necessary to use all of them in very large quantities and raw or undercooked, since during heat treatment the vitamin is practically destroyed.
Why take folic acid during pregnancy? At the very beginning of pregnancy, in the first twelve weeks, folates are prescribed. Starting from the second week, the neural tube is formed in the embryo, and acid is needed for its normal formation. Vitamin is required for the formation of red blood cells, and reduce the risk of developing pathologies in the fetus.
Vitamin B9 is needed by the expectant mother to prevent the occurrence of anemia, pain in the legs, and toxicosis. Its intake in the first trimester minimizes the risk of developing anomalies of the nervous system by almost 70%.
At the time of cell division, with the help of folates, the structure of DNA and RNA molecules is formed and develops without mutations and damage. Acid is involved in the development of organs and tissues of the fetus, reduces the possibility of a delay in the mental development of the child, physical defects.
When telling women at a consultation what folic acid is prescribed for, doctors advise starting drinking it, even at the planning stage, at least 90 days before pregnancy.
Dosage and rules of admission
Folic acid intake for an average person per day is at least 50 micrograms. But, when carrying a child, the need for it increases repeatedly, and for expectant mothers, the norm is 400 mcg. The vitamin is available in the form of tablets or capsules.
What is the dosage of folic acid for pregnant women? Many women are interested in how much folic acid a pregnant woman should drink per day. The rate is determined by the attending physician. It is taken as an independent drug, or as part of a multivitamin. Doctors recommend drinking one tablet per day, containing from 400 micrograms to 1000 micrograms. This dose of folic acid is recommended for pregnant women without fear of overdose. If a woman is taking any prenatal vitamins and is not deficient in vitamin B9, then a separate folate intake is not needed.
With a pronounced deficiency of the vitamin in the body, or if there have been cases of the birth of babies with neural tube pathology, the doctor increases the daily dose of folic acid, sometimes up to 4 mg, which is four tablets that you need to drink once or several times during the day. Tablets are taken at the same time, before meals or with meals. In addition to drugs, you can also eat foods containing folates.
How much folic acid should you take during pregnancy? The most important period in which you can not do without vitamin B9 is the first trimester. The whole pregnancy depends on how the fetus develops at this time. Starting from the second trimester, the required amount of acid is supplied in sufficient quantities with the intake of multivitamins.
folate deficiency
Vitamin deficiency during pregnancy can lead to sad consequences not only for the fetus, but also for the mother. With a lack of the drug, the process of formation of the placenta and its nutrition is disrupted, which provokes an early termination of pregnancy or the birth of a premature baby. Causes abnormalities in the development of the infant, the occurrence of mental disorders in newborns.
Deficiency also affects women's well-being. Especially, the need for vitamin B9 arises when its absorption by the body is impaired, or when there is an increased need for it, for example, during breastfeeding.
Symptoms that indicate a lack of acid are:
- chronic fatigue;
- loss of appetite;
- decreased immunity;
- irritability;
- insomnia.
Folate deficiency also occurs when a pregnant woman has severe toxicosis, accompanied by vomiting, which interferes with the absorption of the drug. In order to determine the presence or absence of a vitamin deficiency, a blood test is prescribed to determine its concentration. According to the results obtained, the attending physician will prescribe the optimal dose that should be taken, up to childbirth. The lack of the drug can complicate the onset of pregnancy.
Side effects and overdose
Despite the fact that folates dissolve in water and their excess is excreted from the body, in some cases, with prolonged and uncontrolled intake, an overdose is possible. Its symptoms are manifested by the appearance of a bitter or metallic taste in the mouth, gastrointestinal imbalance, sleep disturbance, and kidney failure. Rarely, an allergic reaction occurs.
In the presence of cardiovascular disease, an overdose can cause heart failure. Caution should also be taken with existing pathologies of the liver or kidneys, with a defect in the gene responsible for folate metabolism.
Sometimes, with an excess of vitamin B9, the birth of children prone to colds, bronchial asthma, and impaired immunity is associated. To get rid of side effects - bloating, nausea, insomnia, it is enough to reduce the prescribed rate. An excess of acid does not cause serious health problems, but it is recommended to call an ambulance.
Accelerates the process of removing acid from the body drinking strong tea. When taking vitamin B9 as an independent drug, its quantitative content in the complex of multivitamins taken is also taken into account to minimize side effects and overdose.
In a healthy woman who is fully nourished, the lack of folic acid practically does not affect her well-being. But, it will negatively affect the embryo and placenta, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy. Therefore, taking vitamin B9, the expectant mother takes care of the health of the child from the moment of conception.
During the planning period and already at the onset of pregnancy, doctors prescribe a woman to take many drugs. One of the almost mandatory during this period is the intake of vitamin B9 or folic acid. Deficiency of this substance, according to WHO, in different age groups is experienced by 40 to 90% of the population, while almost all pregnant women have folate deficiency in the body.
The role of folic acid in pregnancy
Folic acid is involved in metabolic processes in the nervous tissue, derivatives of this substance are involved in the processes of hematopoiesis, the formation of white and red blood cells. Folate deficiency, along with many other substances, leads to the development of anemia, which is especially dangerous during pregnancy.
In addition, folic acid derivatives - folates, also have the ability to stimulate the formation of RNA and DNA, which carry hereditary information in all cells of the body. Therefore, a large amount of folic acid is consumed in the synthesis of new cells, including in a growing embryo.
Also, it regulates metabolic processes, and maintains the constancy of the internal environment of the body.
According to doctors, every pregnant woman is more or less deficient in folic acid, every second pregnant woman suffers from a pronounced lack of it.
It is for this purpose that when planning and onset of pregnancy, an additional amount of folic acid is prescribed in order to cover its deficiency and the constant costs of growth and development of the fetus.
Folic acid deficiency during pregnancy in the mother's body can provoke serious disturbances in the development of the fetus:
- spinal hernias, anencephaly, spina bifida, hydrocephalus and other malformations of the nervous system are formed
- there are defects of the heart or blood vessels, cleft lip and hard palate
- during the formation of the placenta, there are problems with the size and structure
- increased risk of improper attachment of the placenta, low placentation, placental abruption, miscarriage or premature birth, bleeding during pregnancy
- there may be delays in the mental or physical development of the fetus, problems in his health,
- maternal health suffers, and in severe folic acid deficiency, megaloblastic anemia can develop, which is difficult to treat and unfavorable for pregnancy.
Folic acid during pregnancy: dosage and overdose
It is important to remember the importance of folic acid during pregnancy, and not to take information about its deficiency superficially.
Many women believe that they are quite healthy and do not take additional portions of vitamins, do not drink the drugs prescribed by the doctor. But many, having found out that folate deficiency is harmful, take increased doses of vitamins without consulting a doctor.
Everything needs a balance, and taking drugs should be carried out only under medical supervision.
For the most part, folic acid during pregnancy will be required in higher doses, which will require the use of multivitamin complexes with folates or folic acid preparations alone.
Can an overdose of folic acid develop during pregnancy?
It is worth knowing that this substance is not toxic to the body, an overdose can occur in cases of taking drugs that many times exceed the daily requirements, at least 20 tablets per day.
Excess folic acid will be excreted from the body of pregnant women by the kidneys, but, nevertheless, the doses should be adequate to the needs.
Long-term use of high doses can be fraught with such troubles for the body as a decrease in the amount of vitamin B12, which also leads to the formation of anemia (B12-deficient), and digestive disorders, impaired kidney function, a feeling of heat and increased nervous irritability can also develop.
How to take folic acid during pregnancy
According to doctors, the daily requirement for folic acid is 200 mcg per day, during pregnancy this need doubles and is approximately 400 mcg.
With an initial deficiency of folic acid in the body, doses of up to 800-1000 mcg and above may be needed to saturate all organs and systems if the pregnant woman is at high risk for the occurrence of anemic and deficient conditions.
How to take folic acid, and what the drug will be, you should be told by the doctor at the appointment during the consultation.
Today, the most common drugs are "folic acid tablets" at 1000mcg (0.1g).
With a pronounced vitamin deficiency in a pregnant woman, higher, therapeutic doses of the drug may be recommended - folacin 5 mg or apo-falk 5 mg.
Take such doses strictly under the supervision of a physician with a further transition to maintenance doses.
When calculating the doses of folic acid during pregnancy, the daily dosage takes into account the intake of multivitamins for pregnant women, which also usually contain folates. Many modern preparations usually contain a daily dosage of folic acid:
- elevit pronatal - 1000 mcg
- materna - 1000 mcg
- multi-tabs 400mcg
- vitrum prenatal - 800 mcg
- pregnavit - 750 mcg.
Usually, if a woman is prescribed a multivitamin complex, and she does not have a pronounced folic acid deficiency, an additional subsidy of drugs is not required.
Short courses of additional folic acid intake can be prescribed at critical developmental times - these are the first 10-12 weeks of pregnancy with further withdrawal of the drug and switching only to taking a multivitamin complex.
