Folic acid when planning pregnancy is a must for expectant mothers and fathers. Folic acid when planning pregnancy: why and how much to drink

Folic acid - vitamin B9 or folate. It is a water-soluble vitamin, necessary during the planning period,

Vitamin favorably affects the vital processes of the body and prevents the development of fetal abnormalities.

It synthesizes DNA responsible for heredity, participates in the formation of all blood elements, in the formation of uterine vessels, normalizes hemoglobin levels, and prevents miscarriage.

Folate contributes to the development of the fetus without abnormalities and pathologies.

How much does the body need

According to statistics, girls have a shortage of this element, so literally everyone is advised by doctors to use it, especially if motherhood is planned.

A gynecologist will be able to tell a woman about the required individual amount during preparation for pregnancy, a urologist or a proctologist for a man.

Before pregnancy

Takes part in the development of the placenta and prevents premature birth.

During pregnancy

It is especially important in the early stages: it promotes the formation and growth of organs and tissues, blood cells.

After breastfeeding

Having stopped breastfeeding, you do not need to stop taking vitamin B, otherwise apathy, weakness will be acutely felt, a lack of the mother's vitamin will lead to its deficiency in the baby.

At this time, it is customary to increase the standard dosage in connection with the need of the body.

During lactation

Do not stop taking the vitamin during lactation. Folic acid with milk will be passed on to the baby, which will have an extremely positive effect on his health.

Need for conception

Vitamin is prescribed to girls to prevent the appearance of severe malformations in the fetus. It does not affect conception.

Indications

It is necessary to take vitamins long before the first attempts to get pregnant, preferably half a year. Acid is needed to prevent the development of the following anomalies:

  • spinal pathology;
  • cleft lip;
  • brain;
  • hydrocephalus;
  • anencephaly.

These diseases are formed at the very beginning up to 30 days from the moment of conception.

At this time, many do not suspect an "interesting situation", so they do not take vitamins.

You need to take B9 if you have the following diseases:

  • diabetes;
  • epilepsy.

You should also definitely drink a vitamin if there are even the most minor disturbances in the work of the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract).

Contraindications

  • increased sensitivity to components;
  • there are malignant formations;
  • pernicious anemia;
  • cobalamin deficiency;
  • hemochromatosis;
  • hemosiderosis.

In some cases, patients note such consequences as: bloating, intestinal upset. Rarely, respiratory disorders are possible. Taking vitamin complexes can often contain synthetically produced vitamins. An allergic reaction cannot be ruled out.

Helps to get pregnant

For women who could not get pregnant for a long time, doctors prescribed folic acid. After the course, 70% of the girls managed to get pregnant and there were no problems with bearing. Folate is also closely related to male fertility. The number of abnormal sperm in men taking acid for three months or more was reduced by 30%.

As you know, the better the quality of sperm, the higher the chance of conception, the lower the likelihood of chromosomal abnormalities. In the event that pregnancy is planned in the near future, folic acid should be taken by both a man and a woman. Vitamin B9 is essential to prevent the risk of malformations in the fetus and to keep the pregnancy going.

When is it prescribed to take an analysis: indications

In order to correctly determine the need for acid, a woman is prescribed a blood test. It should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach, while water intake is unlimited. The result allows you to perform the correct appointment and the required dosage.

Indications

Folic acid intake is mandatory at the planning stage and in the process of bearing the fetus.

Vitamin B9 helps to reduce the risk of pathology in the development of the child, and also helps to avoid oxygen starvation of the fetus, reduces the development of neural tube defects in the fetus, and prevents impaired absorption of vitamins, minerals and nutrients from the intestines. Acid is prescribed for excessive physical exertion of the expectant mother, mental stress.

Also indications for the appointment of B9 are some diseases. You should definitely take a vitamin if you have the following deviations and ailments:

  • alcoholism;
  • hepatitis;
  • dementia;
  • reduced hemoglobin and red blood cells;
  • chronic dysfunction of the pancreas;
  • elevated homocysteine ​​levels.

Folic Acid Deficiency: Causes

The main causes of vitamin deficiency in the body:

  • reduced intake of foods containing B9;
  • taking drugs that impair the absorption of folates;
  • dysbiosis (decrease in the amount of beneficial intestinal flora);
  • inflammatory processes;
  • taking antibiotics.

Consequences of lack

In case of folic acid deficiency, there is:

  • infertility;
  • depression;
  • during pregnancy - premature birth, fetal growth retardation syndrome;
  • delayed physical and mental development in children born.

Excess vitamin: causes

Excess is extremely rare because the vitamin is water soluble and is excreted in the urine. An excess is observed in violations of the kidneys and liver. The occurrence of excess B9 in pregnant women is dangerous, as it increases the weight of the fetus, the likelihood of diabetes, asthma, and allergies.

In men, a glut of folic acid provokes insomnia, irascibility. Often, people who have an overabundance of the vitamin feel a metallic bitter taste in their mouths.

How to take: dosage

Such defects and pathologies as placental abruption, stillbirth, fetal growth retardation can be avoided. This can be prevented if you follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

When planning a pregnancy before conception

If there are no deviations in the development of reproductive function, 400 mcg of this element should be taken. In the case when there are violations or pathological abnormalities, the dosage is increased to 4000 mg.

During pregnancy

During breastfeeding

The average dosage is approximately 400 mcg per day.

Tablets or food?

The lack of B9 is easy to make up for by taking special complexes, dietary supplements and drugs. To purchase them, you do not need a referral from a specialist, but before you buy the drug, you should visit a doctor. He will perform an analysis and determine if there is a need for admission.

Products containing folic acid: list

To saturate the body with folic acid, it is not at all necessary to take dietary supplements and tablets. Vitamin B9 contains the following products:

  • green leafy vegetables;
  • dried beans, peas;
  • citrus fruits and juices;
  • bread;
  • celery;
  • carrot;
  • cherry, etc.

In order not to guess whether it is worth taking folic acid or not, it is advisable to take an analysis. Also, to avoid mistakes, the following tips may be useful:

How to use?

If vitamin B9 deficiency is detected, vitamin complexes and foods containing it should be taken.

It is not possible to determine the dosage on your own. Specialist consultation is required.

How to determine the dosage?

To correctly determine the dosage, you need to visit the attending gynecologist.

For the full formation of the nervous system and the fetal brain, a girl preparing to become a mother should take an increased dose of vitamin B9.

A man at the same time is half as much. Note that these indicators are effective only in the case of absolute health of both partners.

When to start drinking?

If you want to become parents, you should consume folic acid for at least six months before the cycle in which conception is planned.

What affects absorption?

To avoid various pathologies, in particular, the fetal nervous system, it is not enough to take folic acid, the main thing is that it is absorbed by the body.

In the case when a person has a negative habit of smoking, often drinks, takes antibiotics or hormonal drugs, this vitamin is consumed in the body several times more.

In contact with

Perhaps any couple who wants to conceive a baby knows about a vitamin called folic acid. Moreover, gynecologists strongly advise starting a course of vitamin B9 (another name for “folk”) just before pregnancy. With its help, the female body prepares for conception.

At what dosage should women take folic acid for conception when planning a pregnancy? This issue requires detailed consideration.

Modern women are deliberately preparing for the appearance of crumbs (read the article about). Following the recommendations of the doctor, they undergo a medical examination and. Regardless of their results, the gynecologist will advise you to drink folic acid when planning a pregnancy.

A woman planning to conceive a baby should make an integral part of her life. It is important to use medications that contain synthetic vitamins, and eat foods rich in natural trace elements. Affects conception and what lifestyle young parents lead: at this time it is important to give up bad habits.

Before taking synthetic vitamin complexes, you should consult with a gynecologist. Their uncontrolled use can cause malfunctions in the normal functioning of the female body. In this case, vitamins can harm, not help.

However, their importance cannot be ignored. For example, folic acid is necessary for conception.

We list the properties of folacin:

  • helps proteins to digest;
  • promotes cell division;
  • affects blood circulation;
  • prevents the development of atherosclerosis;
  • improves appetite and general well-being.

Waiting for a miracle

When planning a pregnancy, folic acid is needed both by the expectant mother (for hormonal levels) and by the unborn baby. In the early stages, this vitamin is involved in the formation of the neural tube. Moreover, in order to get pregnant quickly and live this happy time without problems, you need to drink vitamin B9 much more than always.

Gynecologists unanimously agree that folic acid helps to get pregnant. In addition, "folk" will help eliminate many deviations from the normal functioning of the fetus in the mother's body.

Fetal defects occur in the first weeks of pregnancy, when women are usually unaware of conception. Therefore, it is important to start taking folic acid when planning a pregnancy, and not after it has occurred.

If, before conception, the female body did not accumulate the required amount of folacin, the pregnant woman will face many other troubles that can occur with a lack of folic acid:

  • placental abruption;
  • miscarriage in the early stages;
  • frozen pregnancy;
  • the appearance of multiple malformations.

Taking "folka" before pregnancy contributes to the proper growth and development of cells and tissues.

The value of vitamin B9

If there is a vitamin deficiency in food, the result will be noticeable after a few months: folate deficiency anemia will begin to develop in the body. It provokes the appearance of immature red blood cells and a decrease in hemoglobin. Because of this, the woman becomes irritable, her appetite decreases, she quickly gets tired and suffers from depression.

These characteristic symptoms after a while can be supplemented by hair loss, vomiting and diarrhea.

Folacin does not have accumulative properties, therefore, there is always a need for a vitamin. A woman needs to regularly replenish B9 supplies so that the body works correctly and the reproductive system does not fail.

When planning a pregnancy, folic acid should be in the right amount in the body already 2-3 months before conception occurs.

Gynecologists suggest that this time is enough for a woman so that the lack of the vitamin does not affect pregnancy.

But the dosage of folic acid when planning pregnancy is selected taking into account the characteristics of the body of each woman.

Contraindications

Like any drug, B9 has a number of contraindications. In particular, hypersensitivity to this vitamin.

If a woman has the diseases indicated in the annotation, then folic acid intake when planning pregnancy and its dosage will be determined by the attending gynecologist.

The instruction indicates that folacin cannot be combined with certain drugs (click to enlarge the instruction).

Not always taking folacin will help the fetus to form correctly. This may be due to incomplete absorption of the vitamin.

The body "does not accept" folacin or assimilates it partially under such conditions:

  • woman smokes;
  • suffers from alcohol addiction;
  • lives in regular stress;
  • does not get enough sleep;
  • takes hormonal drugs;

How and how much to take

The norm of folic acid is 200 mcg every day (provided that the person is absolutely healthy). If a woman wants to conceive, then the dose of folic acid should be increased.

How much folic acid to drink when planning a pregnancy? Only a personal gynecologist can answer this question. After the examination, the doctor will indicate the right amount of vitamin for a particular woman.

In large quantities, folic acid is needed for women who have impaired functions of the gastrointestinal tract. An unbalanced diet is another reason why folacin is not absorbed by the body.

Folic acid is found in many multivitamin complexes and supplements, so its amount in tablets varies. In the absence of special medical recommendations, when planning fertilization, it is necessary to take 400 mcg of "folk" every day. If during previous pregnancies there were pathologies of fetal development, then the dose can be increased to 1200 mcg. But the doctor must prescribe the therapeutic dose. It is advisable to start taking three to six months before conception, at least a month. If pregnancy occurs, vitamin supplementation should be continued for at least 12 weeks.

Doctors say that it is quite difficult to overdose on B9, since its excess is excreted from the body. Therefore, it is better to slightly overdose than to create a deficit.

Medicines that contain folacin

There are many complexes that have "folk" in their composition. The content of B9 in them is different: from a preventive dose to a therapeutic one.

The gynecologist will advise the patient on the right drug, since only a doctor can calculate how much folic acid a woman needs.

  • "Folic acid". This medicinal product contains 1 mg of vitamin B9.
  • The drug "Folio" is very popular when planning a pregnancy. Its popularity is due to the fact that it contains folacin and iodine. They are necessary for the proper development of the fetus and the well-being of the expectant mother. The dosage of these trace elements is preventive, so most women successfully use it to compensate for folic acid deficiency.
  • "Folacin" and "Apo-Folic" - preparations with folic acid. The content of the vitamin in them is increased. They are taken when a lack of folacin is detected. That is, the dose contained in these drugs is therapeutic.
  • All multivitamin complexes for pregnant women contain folic acid.

In addition to taking prophylactic doses of the vitamin, it is important to introduce foods rich in folacin into the diet.
These are fresh vegetables, herbs, legumes. There is a lot of this vitamin in pumpkin and buckwheat, as well as in some fruits. There is also folacin in animal products, but there is much less of it.

The amount of folacin decreases during cooking, so it is better to eat a green leaf salad than a pound of boiled beans.

Many couples, especially mature couples (over 30), have begun to take children more seriously. They prepare in advance for the upcoming pregnancy, so they take folacin, folate, or vitamin B9, called folic acid, together. The substance plays a critical role in the mechanisms of conception and subsequent development of the fetus.

Why take folic acid when planning a pregnancy?

The chemical compound in question produces a lot of positive effects:

  • stimulates cell division;
  • activates the absorption and proper breakdown of proteins, amino acids and sugars;
  • improves appetite;
  • promotes the processes of hematopoiesis;
  • protects against intoxication;
  • prevents;
  • normalizes digestion;
  • strengthens the immune system;
  • helps the proper absorption of other vitamins.

Another important reason why drinking folic acid before conception lies in its direct participation in the formation of DNA and RNA structures. The described substance is responsible for the transfer of correct genetic information to the baby. when planning pregnancy, it guarantees the normal formation of all organic systems of the embryo. Additionally, it prevents the development of serious diseases in the intended mother and fetus.

Folic acid for women when planning a pregnancy

A severe deficiency of vitamin B9 is associated with egg pathologies, due to which fertilization may not occur. Other consequences of folacin deficiency for the mother:

  • anemia;
  • loss of appetite;
  • lack of absorption of proteins and amino acids by the body;
  • increased fatigue;
  • irritability.

Most congenital fetal problems occur within 4.5 weeks after the introduction of the egg, when future parents are not yet happy about the start of a new life. For this reason, it is important to take folacin in advance, and not after confirmation of fertilization. The norm of folic acid when planning pregnancy effectively prevents the following disorders:

  • anencephaly;
  • hypotrophy;
  • miscarriage;
  • neural tube defect;
  • frozen pregnancy;
  • hydrocephalus;
  • cleft lip;
  • defective formation of the spinal cord;
  • fetal hypoxia;
  • developmental delay or herniation of the brain.

Recent foreign studies in the field of reproductive medicine have found that even in perfectly healthy young people without addictions, 4% of sperm has defects. This phenomenon is called aneuploidy, it is characterized by the wrong number of nucleoprotein structures (chromosomes) in the spermatozoon. This pathology prevents conception and can cause Shereshevsky-Turner, Down or Klinefelter syndrome in the fetus.

Taking pure folic acid when planning a pregnancy significantly reduces the level of aneuploidy (by about 30%). If the dad-to-be receives additional vitamin B9 from food, the number of defective spermatozoa becomes even smaller, and the quality of the seed increases. Based on the above facts, men are prescribed folic acid in parallel with women - the use of a chemical when planning a pregnancy helps to conceive an intellectually and physically healthy baby. It is important to use folacin correctly, as directed by your doctor.

Dosage of folic acid when planning pregnancy

The portion of folate taken depends on the life and nutritional habits and the general condition of the organisms of the future parents. Only a doctor can decide how much folic acid to drink when planning a pregnancy. A married couple who does not have harmful addictions and eats a balanced diet can do without the additional intake of folacin. The diet of partners should be rich in such products:

  • beef liver;
  • cottage cheese;
  • buckwheat, rice, oatmeal;
  • Cod liver;
  • spinach;
  • nuts, especially walnuts;
  • milk;
  • rye flour products;
  • beet;
  • eggs;
  • peaches;
  • cream;
  • fatty sea fish;
  • cabbage;
  • watermelons;
  • almond;
  • apricots;
  • beans;
  • kefir;

Most future parents do not have the opportunity to systematically and regularly consume these meals, so they are recommended (mandatory) folic acid when planning a pregnancy. In thermally processed food, vitamin B9 can be destroyed, which suggests the need for additional replenishment of its deficiency in body systems.

Folic acid planning pregnancy - dosage for women

Each manufacturer of preparations containing folacin uses dosage forms (tablets, capsules) with different concentrations of the active substance. The standard female dose of folic acid when planning pregnancy is mainly from 800 to 1100-1150 mcg per day. An excess of vitamin B9 is also undesirable and even dangerous, so you need to strictly follow the advice of a specialist. An increase in the portion is permissible only in case of an acute deficiency of the specified chemical.

Folic acid for men when planning pregnancy - dosage


A future dad who scrupulously monitors his own physical health and eats well, is not addicted to alcohol and does not smoke, 400-700 micrograms of folacin every 24 hours will be enough. Otherwise, the daily dose of folic acid when planning pregnancy is slightly increased (0.8-1.15 mg). The standard recommended serving is 1 mg, which can be divided into 2 doses or taken immediately. Folic acid is prescribed to a man before conception in parallel with a woman. It is advisable to use products with vitamin E. Tocopherol stimulates sperm production and improves its quality.

What folic acid to drink when planning a pregnancy?

Demanded and inexpensive drug are vitamins of the same name. Pharmacy folic acid before conception is the best choice in terms of both cost and dosage. Each tablet or capsule contains 1 mg of the active ingredient, which corresponds to the basic daily serving. If desired, you can purchase similar products that contain folacin and other useful ingredients (vitamins B6, B12).

Vitamins with folic acid when planning pregnancy

The acute deficiency of vitamin B9 revealed during the examination of the couple provides for the appointment of special drugs with the highest possible concentration of the described substance, Apo-Folic or Folacin, for future parents. Folic acid in the preliminary planning of pregnancy in the amount of 5 mg helps to quickly compensate for the lack of vitamin.

When the level of folacin in the body is close to normal, standard complexes with a moderate content of the component in question are recommended. Folic acid intake when planning pregnancy is carried out through such drugs:

  • Folio;
  • Multi-Tabs Perinatal;
  • Elevit;
  • Materna;
  • Pregnavit;
  • Vitrum-Prenatal (Forte);
  • Femibion;
  • BlagoMax.

The following options have been developed specifically for men:

  • Speroton;
  • SpermPlant;
  • SpermActive V.I.P.

How to take folic acid when planning a pregnancy?

The use of folate depends on its form and the needs of the body. The instructions for the purchased medicine should clearly indicate how to drink folic acid when planning a pregnancy. An acceptable method is to take the tablets with water immediately after meals, preferably in the morning. With food, the chemical compound is well absorbed. The frequency can be 1-3 times in 24 hours, according to the concentration of folacin in the capsule.

How much folic acid to take when planning a pregnancy?

The duration of the therapeutic course is assessed individually for each couple. Advance use of folic acid is recommended when planning pregnancy. It is advisable to start the use of vitamin B9 12-13 weeks before the targeted attempts at conception or even earlier. It is important not to make even short-term breaks in the reception.

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How and how much to take folic acid when planning a pregnancy. Why drink folic acid and what is the norm of folic acid in the body Daily dose when planning pregnancy.

Vitamin B9 is found in foods such as citrus fruits, beans, greens, lettuce, eggs, green peas, liver, and wholemeal flour products.

The norm of folic acid (vitamin B9) in the body is 5-20 mg. However, up to 80% of women suffer from a deficiency of this substance. This condition is especially dangerous when carrying a child who needs vitamin B9 for normal development. Therefore, it is necessary to start making up the deficit as early as possible. How much folic acid do you need when planning a pregnancy? How and when should it be taken to give birth to a healthy baby? A woman who has decided to become a mother needs to consume vitamin B9 1-2 months before conception. If the pregnancy is sudden, it is important to start taking Folin as soon as you become aware of an interesting situation. The body does not produce this substance on its own. However, it is vital in the first weeks of pregnancy for the formation of the embryo.

All folic acid preparations come with instructions indicating that you need to take the vitamin immediately after eating. You can not combine it with the following drugs:

  • painkillers;
  • anticonvulsants;
  • antibiotics;
  • cytostatics.

All gynecologists prescribe folic acid to their patients, and its intake should continue after childbirth. It is advisable to donate blood for analysis to determine the level of vitamin B12. In combination with folin, it normalizes the functioning of the glands and stimulates the formation of new red blood cells.

Dosage of folic acid

How much folic acid to drink when planning a pregnancy depends on the characteristics of the body. So, a serious deficiency of this important vitamin is observed with malfunctions in the intestines, hormone intake, lack of vegetables and herbs in the diet, addiction to alcohol.

The average daily dose when planning pregnancy is 1 mg. However, doctors often recommend that their patients drink 2 or even 3 times more vitamin B9. It rarely causes an overdose, but due to its deficiency, problems with pregnancy may occur.

Folic acid for men

Men need less vitamin B9 than women. However, the lack of this substance dramatically reduces the likelihood of conception. This explains why you should take folic acid while planning a pregnancy.

Vitamin B9 stimulates cell synthesis, including spermatozoa. If it is small, the volume and quality of seminal fluid are reduced. In rare cases, the proportion of dead spermatozoa increases, the mobility of the rest worsens, and against this background, infertility eventually develops. This proves that folin intake is important for future parents.

A man in the planning period of pregnancy is usually prescribed from 0.7 to 1.1 mg of vitamin B9 per day. It should be taken immediately before conception. Like women, men are often prescribed vitamin E along with folin, but already for the reason that more sperm is produced under its influence.

What are vitamins with folic acid

Nowadays, not everyone is in good health. Therefore, multivitamins are prescribed to the expectant mother to prevent problems in her and in the fetus. They can also be prescribed for medicinal purposes - in case a woman had complications during past pregnancies or she suffers from gynecological, endocrine diseases, has been on diets for weight loss for a long time, and suffered from a cycle disorder.

  • Folic acid contains 1 mg. During the period of conception and pregnancy planning, as well as in the first trimester, jn 1 to 3 tablets per day are prescribed.
  • Foliber. These pills are most often prescribed for pregnant women. Contains only folic acid and vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin). Each tablet contains 400 mcg = 0.4 g of the vitamin. Assign 3 tablets per day. From this amount there can be no overdose, it serves as a prevention of beriberi for the expectant mother.
  • Folic acid with B6 and B12 from Evalar contains folic acid - 600 mcg, vitamin B12 - 5 mcg, vitamin B6 - 6 mg. It is a biologically active additive.
  • Folic acid "9 months" consists only of folic acid - 400 mcg.
  • Folacin. Unlike the previous ones, it has a higher price and dosage of the active substance - 5000 mcg = 5 mg. This dose is excessive for the body. This is not dangerous, but also of great benefit as well - excess folic acid is excreted in the urine.
  • Folio. The drug contains B9 in the amount of 400 mcg and iodine - 200 mcg. The tool has a preventive focus and can not be used for beriberi.
  • Complex vitamin preparations, which contain folic acid in different quantities: Multi-tabs perinatal (400 mcg), Vitrum Prenatal (800 mcg), Pregnavit (750 mcg), Elevit (1000 mcg), Materna (1000 mcg).

Special complexes for pregnant women contain carefully selected dosages of various vitamins. They provide the body of the expectant mother with useful substances that the fetus needs. Multivitamins for pregnant women contain a loading dose of folina. The fact is that with its shortage in the female body, serious complications in the fetus can develop:

  • malformations;
  • anemia;
  • neuropathy.

These conditions jeopardize pregnancy. A baby may simply not be born if he does not receive the right amount of vitamin B9.

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Many mothers do not know why folic acid is needed when planning a pregnancy, and therefore do not take this vitamin at such a crucial period of development in their bodies of a new life. In fact, this is a huge mistake, because with a lack of folic acid, not only conception can be disturbed, but also the further proper development of the unborn baby.

Benefits of folic acid

Folic acid is rightfully considered one of the most important components for the favorable bearing of a child. Why do you need folic acid when planning a pregnancy , and also what dosage is most suitable for women, let's figure it out together.

Important! To ensure optimal conditions for pregnancy planning, you need to drink folic acid not only for women, but also for men. This is especially true for those families who want to become parents after thirty years.

You need to drink folic acid when planning a pregnancy due to the following properties of this component:

  1. Effective and fast strengthening of the body's immune system.
  2. Protecting women from all kinds of food poisoning.
  3. Help in the proper process of cell division.
  4. Normalization of the protein digestion process.
  5. Important in the formation of DNA, which in turn is responsible for the transmission of all hereditary relationships and diseases as well.
  6. Improving the appetite of future parents.
  7. Effective prevention of atherosclerosis.
  8. Improving the process of hematopoiesis.
  9. Improving the functions of the digestive tract (reducing the likelihood of constipation, diarrhea, bloating and other signs that often worry expectant mothers).
  10. Normalization of the assimilation of other vitamins that are needed for the favorable bearing of a child.

In addition, it has been proven that taking this component when planning a pregnancy helps to avoid the development of a number of pathologies in an infant, namely:

  1. Protection from all kinds of pathologies of the brain, underdevelopment and miscarriage. It has been proven that those women who took folic acid were less likely to give birth to children with mental retardation, Down's syndrome and problems with the central nervous system.
  2. Protection against intrauterine fading of pregnancy and all kinds of defects in the development of the child's nervous system.
  3. Help in the nutrition of the cells of the embryo, so that the fetus develops stably, without the occurrence of deviations.
  4. Prevention of mutations in genes that can lead to oncological pathologies.
  5. Reducing the likelihood of developing pathologies such as cleft palate or cleft lip in a child, which in turn can bring a huge amount of trouble and need for surgical interventions to the child in the future.

In the event that future parents do not drink folic acid, the risk of the following problems increases:

  1. Anemia in a woman, which can lead to hypoxia in the fetus (it will simply suffocate).
  2. The appearance of congenital pathologies in the fetus, such as mental retardation, malfunctions in the central nervous system, etc.
  3. Fading pregnancy and miscarriage. At the same time, this can happen in any trimester of the course of pregnancy, regardless of the primary clinical indicators of the success of the process of bearing a child.
  4. Detachment of the placenta.
  5. Loss of appetite in a woman, which will directly affect the development of the fetus - the child will not receive all the necessary nutrients and vitamins from the diet.
  6. Increased nervousness and irritability in a woman, because of which the child can be born capricious and restless.
  7. Reducing the likelihood of normal conception (even if fertilization occurs, there are no guarantees for the development of a full-fledged healthy baby).

Foods with vitamin B9

In the event that both future parents are healthy and do not suffer from any chronic pathologies, they may not be prescribed folic acid in the form of drugs. To saturate the body with this substance, it will be enough to enrich your diet with foods containing vitamin B9.

Most vitamin B9 is found in the following foods:

  1. Nuts, especially almonds and walnuts. You can eat them both separately and in addition to other dishes (cereals).
  2. Liver, kidney, lean chicken and turkey.
  3. Fish. Most of all, vitamin B9 is found in fresh sea fish. It is better to cook it for a couple, bake or boil.
  4. Kashi. Folic acid is found in large quantities in oatmeal, buckwheat, and rice porridge. To quickly increase the level of this vitamin in the body, it is recommended to consume them at least five times a week.
  5. Greens (dill, spinach, parsley, lettuce). The greens themselves can be used both as seasonings for main dishes, and eaten separately, in the form of fresh vegetable salads seasoned with olive oil.
  6. Bean cultures. Especially useful for expectant mothers are fresh peas and beans.
  7. Fruits (watermelon, peach, lemon, orange, pineapple). Also rich in vitamin B9 are freshly squeezed juices from these fruits.
  8. Dairy products (low-fat kefir, cottage cheese, cream, cheese).
  9. Eggs. It is best to eat them boiled, because this is how they retain the greatest amount of nutrients.
  10. Vegetables (pumpkin, eggplant, potatoes, cucumbers, carrots, onions). These vegetables can be used to make casseroles, mashed soups, stews and other dishes. As for carrots, it is desirable to use them raw (in addition to salads).

Important! You should be aware that with increased heat treatment, folic acid partially loses its beneficial properties. That is why it is better to eat more foods with its content in raw form (greens) or cook such food for a couple (fish, meat).

To really enrich your body with this vitamin, you should eat a balanced diet and minimize the consumption of junk food, namely:

  1. Alcohol.
  2. Sweet carbonated drinks.
  3. Fast food and semi-finished products.
  4. Sausages and fatty cheeses.
  5. Chips and crackers.
  6. Sweet candies, fatty creams, pastries and cakes.
  7. Salty fish.
  8. Canned food and canned vegetables.

Meals rich in folic acid should be taken at least four times a day. At the same time, portions should not be large. So a woman will avoid overeating, and at the same time, saturate her body with all the useful substances.

Preparations with vitamin B9

Very often, even with a full diet, the body of an adult does not have enough folic acid. To create normal conditions for the conception of a child, future parents may be prescribed a number of drugs with this vitamin. The most effective and safe means of this direction are:

  1. The drug "Folic acid". This tool is considered the most affordable and popular when planning a pregnancy. It has a low cost, and at the same time quite good quality. The dose of folic acid in one such tablet is 1 mg, so it will be enough for a woman to take 1 tablet per day.
  2. Tablets "Folacin". The dosage of folic acid in them is 5 mg. Future parents can prescribe such a remedy only if they have an acute shortage of vitamin B9. It is impossible to take Folacin on your own without a doctor's recommendation, since this drug is considered more therapeutic than prophylactic.
  3. Folio drug. It contains not only vitamin B9, but also iodine, so it will be doubly beneficial for future parents. Also, the advantage of this tool is that it is available in different dosages, so it will be convenient to take it for both women and men.

  1. Combined multivitamin preparations. It can be Elevit, Vitrum or Prenatal Forte. It is necessary to take these funds strictly according to the instructions, since they are available in different dosages. The duration of such therapy should also be determined by the doctor on an individual basis.

Many parents are wondering how much folic acid to drink before pregnancy and how exactly it is best to take it - alone or in combination with other drugs. At the same time, it must be said right away that the observing specialist should decide the features of taking vitamin B9, depending on the specific condition of people who want to become parents.

How to take folic acid when planning a baby

Taking this vitamin requires the following recommendations:

  1. The regularity, dosage, as well as the specific form of the drug must be agreed with the doctor, because sometimes it happens that a woman has enough vitamin B9, a man does not. In this case, the doctor must correctly combine the dosage of the vitamin for future parents.
  2. With prolonged use of this vitamin, it is imperative to control the level of vitamin B12 in the blood.
  3. The daily norm of this vitamin for future parents is 400 mcg, however, when buying different drugs, this dosage may be different for them. This must be taken into account so that the body receives a sufficient amount of the vitamin, but at the same time, an overdose does not occur.
  4. If a woman has already given birth to children with pathologies, then the dosage of this vitamin should be doubled.
  5. With an increase in dosage, it is necessary to cancel the use of hormonal contraceptives.
  6. Due to the fact that a woman needs more folic acid, the dosage of this substance for her may be higher than for a man. In any case, the individual demand of the organism of future parents in such a vitamin is determined by blood tests that need to be taken even during the planning of pregnancy.

How much to drink

The dosage of taking such a vitamin is determined by individual calculations for each person separately. Initially, future parents are assigned a series of tests to accurately determine the level of vitamin B9 in the body. Based on the results of the studies, the specialist will select the desired dosage of drugs.

The doctor needs to carefully select the dosage of this vitamin in the following conditions of patients:

  1. The presence of severe chronic diseases of the liver, intestines, kidneys or heart.
  2. Diseases of the circulatory system and blood vessels.
  3. Hormonal disruptions in the body caused by various factors.
  4. Individual intolerance to foods containing vitamin B9.
  5. Concomitant treatment with antibiotics or hormonal drugs.
  6. Cases when the first pregnancy ended with a fading of fetal development, miscarriage or the birth of a child with obvious pathologies associated with an acute shortage of folic acid.
  7. Depressive state of a woman.

In addition, the doctor must take into account the specific period of pregnancy: whether this process is still at the planning stage or conception has already occurred and the woman is carrying the fetus. In both these cases, the dosage of the vitamin should be different. Thus, when planning pregnancy, the daily dose should be no more than 400 mcg, and after conception - up to 800 mcg.

It is best to take folic acid in the form of medicines and vitamin complexes after meals, since this is how the vitamin will be best absorbed. Drinking such drugs on an empty stomach is prohibited.

It should be noted that already in the first weeks of pregnancy, the foundations of the future organs and systems of the child are laid, therefore, vitamin B9 should be started from the first days of gestation.

Moreover, if even before the moment of conception and in the first trimester of pregnancy, a woman and a man did not take vitamin complexes, then the probability of improper formation of the nervous system in the fetus increases significantly. In order to prevent this, in addition to folic acid, it is also important to take additional vitamins, which the observing doctor will definitely prescribe.

As the observations of doctors show, if a woman has enough vitamin B9 in her body, then a healthy placenta is formed in her, which significantly increases favorable conditions for the growth and development of the fetus.

Indications and contraindications for admission

In addition to the pregnancy planning period, vitamin B9 is indicated in the following cases:

  1. The development of anemia, which was associated with the influence of various factors and causes.
  2. Chronic disorders of the digestive system, including constipation, flatulence and diarrhea.
  3. The period of breastfeeding a child, especially if a woman has all sorts of gynecological problems after childbirth, as well as not enough milk.
  4. Radiation exposure of a person at different stages.
  5. Diseases that were provoked by a sharp decrease in the patient's immune system.
  6. An acute shortage of such a substance.

At the same time, it should be understood that this substance is not generally allowed to be taken, so you need to drink it strictly according to the indications.

Refuse to use drugs with folic acid should be in such cases:

  1. Individual intolerance to the body of vitamin B9, when it provokes side effects and all kinds of allergic reactions in a person.
  2. The period of acute diseases of the digestive, nervous, respiratory, vegetative and other body systems that require antibiotics, painkillers or hormonal drugs.

When is the best time to start taking vitamins?

Due to the fact that folic acid is not able to accumulate in the body, it is very important to choose the right specific time to start taking it. Thus, the attending physician needs to accurately determine the optimal period for conceiving a child and prescribe vitamin B9 three months before that moment.

If future parents start taking such a substance already during pregnancy, then the effect of it will not be as great as it would be with the correct calculation of the time of admission. It is for this reason that it is necessary to enrich your body with folic acid strictly after the appointment of an observing specialist.

What Not to Do

In order not to provoke unwanted reactions and side effects, folic acid intake should not be combined with the following groups of drugs:

  1. Antibacterial drugs of any group.
  2. Cytostatics.
  3. Anticonvulsants.
  4. Analgesics.
  5. Hormonal drugs.

Important! With prolonged use of this vitamin, the patient's condition must be monitored by an observing doctor. When the first deterioration in well-being appears, you should immediately consult a doctor. Self-medication is unacceptable.

In the event that a woman becomes ill while taking this vitamin, then before taking antibiotics, analgesics and other types of drugs, she must inform the doctor about this. If necessary, the specialist will reduce the dosage of the vitamin or prescribe approved medications that can be combined with folic acid.

What affects the absorption of vitamin B9

It often happens that future parents took folic acid before conception, as well as during pregnancy, but subsequently the child still has CNS pathologies that are directly related to a lack of vitamin B9. This happens not because they took the wrong dosage, but because of the lack of auxiliary measures for the absorption of the vitamin.

Much less folic acid is absorbed if a person often takes alcohol, smokes, overworks, and is also in a period of depression.

The intake of potent hormonal and other types of drugs greatly affects the poor absorption of this component. That is why, before planning a pregnancy and starting to take vitamins, a person needs to normalize his psycho-emotional state, give up bad habits and treat chronic diseases.

Is there a risk of overdose

A distinctive feature of vitamin B9, unlike vitamin e and other microelements, is that with an excess, it begins to be actively excreted from the body, so the likelihood of an overdose is very small. Moreover, even if a person accidentally takes a large dose of folic acid, the side effects from this will not be dangerous to health.

Despite this, the good tolerance of vitamin B9 does not mean at all that it can be taken uncontrollably, because then instead of the expected benefits for pregnancy, only harm will be delivered to her.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the intake of folic acid as part of combined vitamin preparations. In this case, future parents should follow the exact instructions and dosage.

Otherwise, additional components of the product can provoke indigestion, poisoning and other unpleasant consequences.

Benefits for men

When planning pregnancy, men need folic acid due to its following properties in relation to the body of the future dad:

  1. Increased motility and penetration of spermatozoa.
  2. A significant increase in the likelihood of conceiving a strong, healthy child.
  3. Reducing the risk of further pathologies in the fetus.
  4. Reducing the number of low-quality spermatozoa that can disrupt the DNA structure and express themselves in pathologies in a child.
  5. Reducing the likelihood of passing genetic diseases from father to child.
  6. A significant reduction in the likelihood of pathologies of the nervous system in the unborn child.

According to the latest observations of doctors, it was found that the effect of this vitamin on men is also important, and on women, therefore, men should approach the issue of saturating the body with vitamin B9 very seriously and responsibly.

The optimal dosage of such a substance for men is 400 mcg per day. If necessary, the supervising physician can adjust the duration and dose of vitamin intake.