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Folic acid and pregnancy

Folic acid is a vitamin believed to prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida in unborn babies. Folate (the natural form of folic acid in food) is found in fortified cereals, breads and yeast extracts, pulses, green vegetables and oranges. For most women of child-bearing age who wish to become pregnant, a daily supplement of 400mcg folic acid is required as well.

You should take folic acid ideally a couple of months before you conceive and for the first twelve weeks of pregnancy, since the neural tube of the developing baby forms very early on, before most women actually realise they are pregnant. If you are less than twelve weeks pregnant and have not been taking folic acid, ask your doctor about taking the supplement straight away. Folic acid is available from most chemists and supermarkets or through your doctor.

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