The correct dosage of folic acid in pregnancy
Pregnancy is a wonderful and joyful time in a woman's life. During this period, you need to carefully take care of your health and regularly use vitamins necessary for the normal development of a future child. In a woman's consultation, the doctor along with other drugs necessarily prescribes a woman with folic acid. The dosage of folic acid during pregnancy is something that is very important to know!
Why folic acid is needed
If a woman, only planning a pregnancy, begins to receive a sufficient amount of folic acid, then this reduces the risk of defects in the fetus at an early stage. Studies have shown that the use of folic acid preparations even 3-4 months before the onset of pregnancy, prevents up to 75% of cases of such defects.
The importance of this drug in the period of fetal development can not be overestimated:
- folic acid is necessary for DNA synthesis and normal fetal formation;
- , it actively participates in the process of regeneration and cell division, including cells of internal organs requiring constant updating;
- is indispensable for the formation of the neural tube of the fetus and prevents the risk of developing defects in the brain;
- is involved in hematopoiesis( formation of red blood cells, platelets and leukocytes);
- is essential for the growth and development of placental tissues;
- is involved in the synthesis of ribonucleic acid and amino acids;
- promotes better absorption of iron.
Folic acid dosage
Natural sources of this acid are all vegetables that have a dark green leaf color. These include: parsley, spinach, broccoli, beans, green onions, lentils, beans, green peas, soy, carrots, asparagus, tomatoes, beets.
Some fruits also contain it. This is a watermelon, citrus and peaches. Also rich in this vitamin is buckwheat, oatmeal and rice cereals and millet;tomato juice;sunflower seeds and walnuts;milk powder, kefir and cream.
From products of animal origin it contains: cottage cheese, cheese, cod liver, fish caviar, egg yolk, beef liver.
However, during pregnancy to maintain its normal level in the body, it is not enough to eat only food. Need additional medication.
Folic acid is not able to accumulate in the body, so its stock needs to be replenished daily. The daily dose for pregnancy is 400 mcg. It is very important to receive this amount of the drug, especially in the first trimester.
Dosage may increase to 800 mcg per day if there is a risk of maldevelopment of the neural tube. This risk affects women suffering from diabetes, epilepsy and having relatives with some developmental defects.
Is overdose dangerous?
Sometimes women, especially when a doctor prescribes a lot of vitamins, fear an excess of folic acid. But an overdose during pregnancy is very rare. And it is possible only if you take 20-30 tablets a day, that is, in doses that exceed the body's daily requirement hundreds of times. In other cases, excess during pregnancy is not dangerous, since it is simply excreted from the body. And pregnancy speeds up this process many times. However, folic acid, like all medicines, can cause allergic reactions.
Folic acid is the only drug whose need for reception during pregnancy is not denied even by the most ardent opponents of all kinds of medicines and artificial vitamins. Therefore, if you are not a supporter of "superfluous" drugs, do not refuse completely from taking this drug while the baby is waiting. You need at least a prophylactic dosage of it during pregnancy. This will help in the future to avoid you and your future baby many problems.