What is folic acid, and do I need to take it?
It is important to take enough folic acid, around 400 micrograms (400 mg or .4mg), both before and during your pregnancy to help ensure the proper development of the baby’s spine. Women who don’t get enough folic acid during pregnancy are more likely to have a baby with serious problems of the brain or spinal cord. It’s important to take folic acid before becoming pregnant because these problems develop very early in pregnancy–only 3 to 4 weeks after conception.
