Folic acid is a water soluble vitamin and is mainly found in leafy green vegetables and fruits. It is important for pregnant women because a lack of folic acid can lead to birth defects, including serious neural tube defects. All women of childbearing age should consume 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid daily, in addition to eating a healthy diet that includes folate-rich foods.

Good sources of folate include leafy green vegetables, legumes, nuts, and fortified foods such as breads and cereals. Folic acid supplements are available over the counter and by prescription. A woman should take a supplement containing 400 mcg of folic acid every day, starting at least one month before she plans to become pregnant. If a woman has already had a pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect, she should take a higher dose of folic acid—4,000 mcg daily—starting at least one month before she becomes pregnant again.

Most multivitamins contain 400 mcg of folic acid, so women who take a multivitamin every day usually do not need an additional folic acid supplement unless they are planning to become pregnant. https://gofolic.org/matt-walsh-teenage-pregnancy/ who have had a baby with a neural tube defect or who are at high risk for having a baby with a neural tube defect should consult their health care provider about taking a higher dose of folic acid—4,000 mcg daily—even if they are not planning to become pregnant again right away."