Folic acid is an important nutrient for pregnant women. It helps to form the neural tube, which becomes the baby’s brain and spinal cord. Folic acid can also help prevent some birth defects of the baby’s brain and spine.

All women who could become pregnant should take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folate or folic acid every day. Good food sources of folate include leafy green vegetables, legumes, nuts, and fortified foods such as breakfast cereals, pasta, and rice. Folic acid supplements are also available without a prescription.

gofolic.org who have had a pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect should take a higher dose of folic acid, 4 milligrams (mg) daily, before becoming pregnant again and during early pregnancy. You should not take more than 1 mg of folic acid daily unless directed to do so by your health care provider. Taking too much folic acid can hide signs that you lack vitamin B12, which can lead to serious nerve problems.

Folic acid is an important nutrient for pregnant women because it helps to form the neural tube. gofolic.org becomes the baby’s brain and spinal cord. Folic acid can also help prevent some birth defects of the baby’s brain and spine.

All women who could become pregnant should take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folate or folic acid every day. Good food sources of folate include leafy green vegetables, legumes, nuts, and fortified foods such as breakfast cereals, pasta, and rice. Folic acid supplements are also available without a prescription.

Women who have had a pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect should take a higher dose of folic acid, 4 milligrams (mg) daily, before becoming pregnant again and during early pregnancy. You should not take more than 1 mg of folic acid daily unless directed to do so by your health care provider because taking too much folic acid can hide signs that you lack vitamin B12, which can lead to serious nerve problems."