Many things can affect a baby, including family genes and things women may come in contact with during pregnancy. Taking folic acid cannot guarantee having a healthy baby, but it can help. 

What is folic acid?
Folic acid is a B-vitamin that helps build healthy cells. During periods of rapid growth, such as pregnancy and fetal development, the body's requirement for this vitamin increases. Research has shown that if all women who could possibly become pregnant were to take a multivitamin with folic acid, the risk of neural tube defects like Spina Bifida could be reduced by up to 70%. Since Spina Bifida occurs early in pregnancy, often before a woman knows she is pregnant, it is important to take folic acid every day. Taking folic acid before and during early pregnancy reduces the risk of Spina Bifida and other neural tube defects. 

Where can I get folic acid?
Folic acid is in most multivitamins and many foods, for example leafy green vegetables, such as broccoli and spinach, or fruits and juices such as orange juice. Some foods also have folic acid added to them, like certain breakfast cereals and other bread and grain products. A diet rich in folic acid is important, however the average American diet does not supply enough. The surest way to get the amount of folic acid you need everyday is to take a vitamin with folic acid. 

How much folic acid do I need?
SBA urges women to follow the 1992 U.S. Public Health Service folic acid recommendations: 

• Women who could become pregnant should take 400 mcg (micrograms) of folic acid through a vitamin. (This amount is also written as 0.4 mg (milligrams).) 
• Women at increased risk for Spina Bifida (women who have a child or had a pregnancy affected by Spina Bifida or have Spina Bifida themselves) should take 4000 mcg (micrograms) of folic acid by prescription for 1 to three months before becoming pregnant. (This amount is also written as 4.0 mg (milligrams).) So, it's important for these women to plan any future pregnancy.

Please speak with your health care provider about folic acid. 

This information does not constitute medical advice for any individual. As specific cases may vary from the general information presented here, SBA advises readers to consult a qualified medical or other professional on an individual basis.