When should you take folic acid during pregnancy? Science Supplement Guide
Folic acid is an essential nutrient during pregnancy and is crucial for fetal neural tube development. Among the pregnancy topics that have been hotly discussed on the Internet recently, the timing of folic acid supplementation has become one of the issues that expectant mothers are most concerned about. This article will give you detailed answers based on popular discussions and authoritative suggestions in the past 10 days.
1. The best time to supplement folic acid
According to the consensus of experts in obstetrics and gynecology, folic acid supplementation should be divided into three stages: pre-pregnancy, early pregnancy and middle and late pregnancy:
| stage | time range | daily dose | function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-pregnancy supplement | 3 months before planning pregnancy | 400-800μg | reserve folate levels |
| first trimester | 1-12 weeks pregnant | 400-800μg | Prevent neural tube defects |
| second and third trimester | 13 weeks to delivery | 400μg | Support continued fetal development |
2. Top 5 popular questions and answers
According to recent statistics from major maternal and infant platforms, the most concerning folic acid-related issues are as follows:
| Ranking | question | frequency of occurrence |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What should I do if I don’t take folic acid in advance during an unexpected pregnancy? | 32.7% |
| 2 | Can folic acid be taken with calcium tablets? | 25.4% |
| 3 | Which is better, natural folic acid or synthetic folic acid? | 18.9% |
| 4 | What should I do if my morning sickness worsens after taking folic acid? | 15.2% |
| 5 | Do I need to take folic acid during breastfeeding? | 7.8% |
3. Folic acid supplementation programs for different groups of people
According to the latest recommendations from the Chinese Nutrition Society, special groups need to adjust their supplementation plans:
| Crowd classification | Recommended dosage | replenishment cycle | Things to note |
|---|---|---|---|
| healthy women of childbearing age | 400μg/day | 3 months before pregnancy to 3 months of pregnancy | Regular supplement |
| History of childbearing with neural tube defects | 4-5mg/day | 1 month before pregnancy to 3 months of pregnancy | Requires medical guidance |
| Diabetic/obese pregnant women | 1mg/day | Pre-pregnancy to delivery | Monitor blood sugar |
| Epilepsy patients taking medication | 5mg/day | Before pregnancy to 12 weeks of pregnancy | Antiepileptic drugs need to be adjusted |
4. Ranking of foods with folic acid content
In addition to supplements, folic acid in natural foods cannot be ignored. Recent nutritional surveys show that the following foods are rich in folic acid:
| food | Folic acid content (μg/100g) | Recommended serving size |
|---|---|---|
| chicken liver | 1172 | 1-2 times a week |
| spinach | 347 | 100g per day |
| asparagus | 262 | 3 times a week |
| Broccoli | 210 | 50-100g daily |
| avocado | 81 | half a day |
5. Latest suggestions from experts (updated in 2023)
1.Time extension:The latest guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that folic acid supplementation should be continued until the end of the lactation period because breast milk depletes the mother's folate stores.
2.Dosage adjustment:The British Nutrition Foundation recommends that obese pregnant women (BMI>30) should increase their pre-pregnancy folic acid dose to 5mg/day.
3.Joint supplement:China’s pregnancy health care guidelines emphasize that folic acid should be supplemented with vitamin B12, as the synergistic effect of the two is more beneficial to fetal development.
Summary:Scientific folic acid supplementation requires grasping the "golden trimester" principle, that is, supplementation begins 3 months before pregnancy and continues until the end of the first trimester. Special groups of people need to adjust the dosage according to the doctor's advice and pay attention to dietary supplements. It is recommended that all women preparing for pregnancy undergo folic acid metabolism gene testing and develop a personalized supplement plan.
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