Folic acid during pregnancy - what foods to treat yourself to

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 12:45

Pregnancy is a very important period for every woman. Now the expectant mother must think not only about herself, but also about the little creature in her womb, about another life for which she is responsible. It largely determines how he will feel for nine months and for a long time after. Indeed, during this period, the baby will go through a colossal and rapid development path from an embryo to a full-fledged little man.

Special attention should be paid to the first three months of pregnancy, as during this period there is an active division of germ cells, the development of the most important organs and systems. Any violation can lead to irreversible consequences for the he alth of the fetus. The embryo is extremely sensitive to the lack of such a vitamin as folic acid. During pregnancy, it is simply necessary for the fetus.

With its help, the growth of new embryonic cells is carried out. In addition, with the participation of folic acid, DNA replication and the formation of the placenta occur, and if the fetus experiences a lack of this vitamin, then inthe risk of developing genetic mutations increases several times.

Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin that is mainly supplied to the human body with food. A small part of it is synthesized in the intestines, but this amount is not enough for the fetus and pregnant woman. Therefore, folic acid during pregnancy should be taken in tablet form.

It is advisable to start taking it a few months before conception in order to saturate the woman's body with these vitamins. But, unfortunately, folic acid during pregnancy begins to enter the body of the fetus only a month after fertilization, when women are convinced of their interesting position.

And the lack of this vitamin in the first 20 days of embryo development often leads to such a formidable complication as a neural tube defect. That is why it is so important to prepare in advance for the onset of pregnancy and take vitamin complexes in advance.

Possible consequences of a lack of folic acid during pregnancy:

• impaired mental and physical development;
• dropsy of the brain;
• beginning of premature labor;
• underdevelopment of the nervous and vascular systems;
• fetal death in the womb;
• malformations of organs;
• preeclampsia.

But it is necessary to take into account the fact that folic acid during pregnancy is notabsorbed without sufficient vitamin B12. It is recommended to combine them as much as possible. The daily requirement of the expectant mother for vitamin B9 is about one gram. This does not take into account that some foods also contain folic acid. You can take up to four tablets of the ready-to-use tablet during pregnancy.

What foods are rich in folic acid?

Most of vitamin B9 is found in greens and vegetables: spinach, green peas, pumpkin, legumes, parsley. Wholemeal bread is also rich in folic acid, as well as cattle liver and fish. Citrus fruits and apricots contain some of the vitamin.

But folic acid is just as important for pregnant women as it is for the fetus. After all, it affects the functioning of the entire central nervous system and brain, prevents the development of toxicosis, miscarriages, depression and headaches.