All expectant mothers have heard that during pregnancy the body needs increased saturation with folic acid, but not everyone eventually understood why it is needed in such quantities? How does a lack of folate threaten the body, and who needs it: mother or baby?

To understand the need for folic acid, you need to pay attention to what is hidden under this name water soluble vitamin, called B9. This is a very important biologically active component involved in the process of synthesis, growth and division of cells, the deficiency of which leads to disruption of many functions and systems. The question: does a baby need folic acid is not even in doubt, because it actively influences the growth and proper development of the child. But its most important significance is that it prevents the appearance of pathologies of the fetal neural tube (hydrocephalus, etc.).

A lack of vitamin B9 also affects the general condition of the expectant mother, which is manifested by increased weakness, very rapid fatigue, headaches, and dizziness. The lack of this vitamin affects the functioning of the central nervous system, which gives impetus to the appearance of fainting, manifests itself in irritability and memory impairment. Against the background of a weakening of the body and a deficiency of folic acid, the synthesis of red blood cells is disrupted and anemia develops, externally manifested by pallor of the skin. In addition, B9 is necessary for normalizing liver function.

The human body is not inclined to synthesize this acid; we get this vitamin only from certain foods (sunflower seeds, liver, asparagus, greens), but this is barely enough for one organism. When a woman has a feeling in her heart new life, the intake of folates needs to be increased; for this, folic acid tablets are prescribed to all pregnant women, regardless of their diet. If we are talking about a second pregnancy, then when after the first the child develops a neural tube defect, then the dosage of the vitamin is doubled. The drug is produced by various pharmaceutical companies, its price is affordable, it is freely available in any pharmacy.

How to give birth after IVF: C-section or natural birth

Whether or not to take folic acid and other vitamin complexes is a personal matter, and many women ignore them, based on reviews and advice from friends who managed to give birth to healthy toddlers without vitamins. Before you make this decision, think about the fact that it is easier to prevent health problems than to cure them, and quickly swallowing vitamins before leaving for work is not at all difficult.

People start taking folic acid already at the stage of pregnancy planning, but if the baby is a pleasant surprise, then the drug is necessary at the first sign of an “interesting” situation.

The daily requirement of vitamin B9 at the beginning of pregnancy is 400 mcg and almost all manufacturers include the entire amount in one tablet, so the expectant mother only needs to drink a small tablet once a day during meals or immediately after, which is very necessary for the baby.

Your doctor will tell you how many weeks you will need to take the drug, but it is usually recommended to use it for 12 weeks, despite the fact that the formation of the neural tube occurs from the sixteenth to the twenty-eighth day after conception.

Do not forget to carefully read the instructions for use of the drug before starting a preventive course, and also pay attention to the date of manufacture. The expectant mother is strictly prohibited from taking medications that have expired.

Why do you need folic acid when planning pregnancy?

Doctors recommend starting to take folic acid already at the stage of pregnancy planning, no less than a month, or even three, before the planned event. If you doubt whether it is necessary to take the drug in advance, look at the situation from the other side: the formation of the neural tube in the fetus occurs already on the 16th day after conception, and the expectant mother at this moment does not yet know that pregnancy has occurred. Accordingly, she will not have time to fill the body with the vitamin the embryo needs in time.

Today, doctors strongly recommend prophylactic intake of vitamin B9 for men. Many expectant dads wonder why they need this, but it’s quite simple: folate plays a huge role in cell development, and its deficiency reduces the number of healthy sperm that can survive in the uterus for three to four days while waiting for an egg. Preventive dosage of the vitamin is 400 mcg. Judging by the reviews, the drug is well tolerated and does not affect the speed of reaction when driving (which is especially worrying for men).

These vitamins are compatible with most medications and have virtually no side effects. An exception can only be in the case of individual intolerance and certain disorders in the functioning of the immune system.

Vitamin B9 is well absorbed by the body, but before taking it in dosage form, the expectant mother should give up alcohol and it is advisable to eliminate the passion for strong coffee. These foods interfere with the normal absorption of folate and have an adverse effect on the baby's development.

How to replenish your body with folic acid in the first weeks of pregnancy until birth

Folic acid– vitamin “number one” during pregnancy, and not only in the very first days, but throughout the first trimester (up to 12 weeks). Many expectant mothers, having learned that the formation of the fetal neural tube occurs before the 28th day after conception, mistakenly think that 5 weeks of prevention is enough. This is not entirely true, because vitamin B9 is necessary for cells, the hematopoietic system, and affects the formation of the placenta, i.e. the body also needs it at 39 weeks, but at later there is no need to take it as a separate drug. Usually, its required dose is contained in multivitamin complexes prescribed to all expectant mothers, especially after 30 weeks.

For women planning a child, or already pregnant, doctors prescribe vitamin B9 (folate, folacin). What is it, what does it do, what does it look like in the photo and why is it useful to take folic acid during pregnancy?

Folacin is a water-soluble vitamin that is actively involved in the fundamental processes of the body. It is synthesized by bacteria that live in the intestines large quantities. Therefore, the basic need can only be satisfied from the outside.

Acid is prescribed if there is a shortage in the body. With a deficiency, the processes of hematopoiesis, the formation of leukocytes, platelets, red blood cells, and the absorption of iron are disrupted. The substance is involved in the synthesis of amino acids RNA and DNA, helps the egg mature, and maintains optimal levels of homocysteine, which is responsible for heart health.

At the beginning of pregnancy, acid is prescribed to prevent the development of defects in the nervous system of the fetus; in the later stages, it helps the expectant mother normalize the functioning of the body. This is the valuable effect of this vitamin.

The benefits and harms of folic acid during pregnancy

If it’s prescribed, it means it’s missing

At the beginning of gestation, intensive division of the neural tube of the embryo occurs, the spinal cord and brain are formed. A woman may not know that she has conceived, but things are already happening in her body. important processes the birth of a new life.

At the beginning of pregnancy, acid is especially useful. Taking it prevents spinal fissures, congenital absence of the spinal cord or brain, and cerebral hernias in a child.

A lack of vitamin B9 is harmful because:

• increases the likelihood of mental retardation in a child;
• disrupts the formation of the placenta, provokes abruption, causes spontaneous abortion;
• leads to congenital defects, fetal deformities, pathologies of the cardiovascular system, the formation of cleft lip and cleft palate (cleft palate).

It is necessary to take folacin in late pregnancy. A sufficient amount of it prevents the development of postpartum depression, reduces apathy, and improves lactation.

Problems can be minimized even when planning pregnancy and during pregnancy if you take acid preparations. After all, it is impossible to create a supply of it, and it is difficult to obtain it from food.

According to statistics, folate deficiency occurs in 50% of women. Studies have shown that their regular use during planning and at the beginning of pregnancy reduces the risk of fetal defects by 80%. In large doses, acid is harmful. Therefore, you need to take it according to your doctor’s recommendations.

Symptoms of excess and deficiency of folic acid during pregnancy

B9 deficiency develops rapidly. The first symptoms appear within a week, and a month-long lack of acid leads to a critical condition:

• pale skin;
• irritability;
• nervousness;
• fatigue;
• low performance;
• memory and attention impairment;
• the appearance of age spots and acne on the skin;
• sudden weight loss.

These signs are nonspecific and may indicate stress or be a variant of the norm during pregnancy. But if you do not make up for the lack of acid, this is fraught dangerous consequences for the fetus and the expectant mother.

You can accurately determine the level of folacin in the body by taking a blood test. Normal indicators fluctuate between 7–45 nmol/l.

Very useful for the child too

Instructions for use of folic acid

Vitamin B9 tablets are the same drug as the others. Therefore, you should not take it without a doctor's prescription. The official manufacturers' instructions contain recommended daily and single doses, methods of taking the acid, how long to use it, and how to use it correctly. Therefore, all women must read it.

According to clinical recommendations under order 572n, the daily dose of folacin is 0.4 mg. According to other data, to maintain pregnancy in the first months, you need to take 0.8 mg per day. The doctor decides whether it is too much or too little.

The medication begins 6 months before the planned conception, and the optimal duration is up to 12 weeks of gestation. In the last trimester, doctors also often advise taking acid.

Usually the entire dose is given at one time. This should be done in the morning a quarter of an hour after breakfast, washed down with water. You should not take folacin before meals, as it increases acidity on an empty stomach, causing problems with the gastrointestinal tract. And in pregnant women with toxicosis it can lead to nausea and vomiting.

Doctors prescribe doses higher than prophylactic for pregnant women with established vitamin B9 deficiency, as well as in the following cases:

• the presence of factors that increase folate intake or accelerate its excretion;
• high risk of nervous system abnormalities (epilepsy, diabetes in a pregnant woman);
• presence of developmental defects in the family history;
• disruption of the stomach and intestines.

Take strictly according to prescription

What is the dosage of folic acid for pregnant women

Folacin deficiency is especially critical at the most early stages, in the first 2 weeks. Therefore, doctors recommend starting to take it at the planning stage. But there is no clear answer to how long you need to take the drug. Some prescribe it even in the later months of pregnancy.

Doctors insist that women take vitamin B9 in the first trimester. During this period, it is of maximum importance; even a slight lack of it can negatively affect the fetus.

Many pregnant women are advised not to stop taking it for the entire 9 months. This is especially true for women with pathologies or twins. Here, folacin in the second and even last trimester will not hurt.

Prophylactic doses according to instructions:

• minimum – 400 mcg (0.4 mg)/day;
• maximum – 800 mcg (0.8 mg)/day.

If the deficiency is pronounced, a dosage of 5 mg is needed. Unauthorized consumption of this amount of vitamin is contraindicated, as it can be dangerous.

May be prescribed for prevention

Acid tablets are available in 100, 400, 1000, 5000 mcg. To prevent deficiency, capsules containing 400–1000 mcg are prescribed in an amount of 1 piece daily. The dose of 0.5 mg is therapeutic. Folacin is often prescribed with vitamin E. The substances potentiate each other’s effects during pregnancy.

When to stop taking folic acid

The question of until what week you drink folacin is individual. The doctor decides the period of withdrawal.

Consultation with a doctor is required

Which folic acid is best to take during pregnancy?

Most often, women are prescribed complexes. These are drugs containing preventive doses of vitamins, minerals (E, folacin, ascorbic acid, iodine, iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium). Here are their names and photos:

• Folio;
• Elevit;
• Pregnavite;
• Spirulina;
• Multitabs;
• Centrum.

When taking any of these drugs, the body is replenished with the required daily intake of vitamin B9, as well as other microelements. The advantage of complex products is that you do not need to purchase different medications, since all the substances contain one tablet.

Monopreparations of folacin are often prescribed together with other drugs: Omega-3, Iodomarin, Vitamin E. The patient and the doctor decide which method and regimen to choose.

Rich in vitamin B9

List of foods with folic acid for pregnant women

If a woman prefers to use drugs instead natural sources folate, you need to know which foods are high in folate. This:

• cereals: rice, buckwheat, oatmeal;
• vegetables: carrots, tomatoes, asparagus, beets;
• walnuts;
• cottage cheese;
• powdered milk;
• beans;
• green pea;
• egg yolk;
• wholemeal bread;
• beef liver.

These foods should be included in your daily diet to prevent folate deficiency.

Folic acid has no analogues

Folic acid analogues

Those who are allergic to folacin are wondering what to replace it with to ensure the health of their unborn baby? There are no analogues of vitamin B9. The only way out is to give up drugs based on it and get the required daily amount with food.

Allergy to folic acid during pregnancy: symptoms and treatment

Signs:

• widespread rash accompanied by itching, burning, urticaria;
• Quincke's edema - mucous membrane, skin or tissue, poses a threat to life if it spreads to the larynx;
• anaphylactic shock;
• eczema;
• bronchial asthma.

If a woman notices symptoms, as in the photo, while taking vitamin B9, what should she do? You must stop taking the medicine and consult a doctor. Typically, antihistamines and enterosorbents are prescribed to treat allergies.

Causes allergies in the form of acne and swelling

What are the dangers of overdose?

An excess of vitamin can lead to:

• increased excitability: a woman becomes irritated, prone to insomnia, frequent mood swings;
• digestive disorders: nausea, bitter or metallic taste in the mouth, stool disorders;
• functional changes in the kidneys;
• allergic reactions: skin rash, itching, urticaria.

In pregnant women, an overdose can be recognized by an excessive increase in fetal weight. There is a risk of obesity, diabetes, asthma, and a tendency to allergies in the child.

It is difficult to achieve excess acid, since its excess is excreted in the urine. Usually there is a lot of it in pathologies of the kidneys and liver.

Adverse reactions are rare, folacin preparations are well tolerated, with the exception of people prone to allergies. For them, the product can be dangerous.

Beware of overdose

Should I take folic acid after a frozen pregnancy?

In case of fetal death, it is necessary to observe balanced diet and take vitamins, including folacin, to ensure a normal next pregnancy. This will help improve the health of the body, restore immunity and hormonal levels.

How much does folic acid cost for pregnant women: price in pharmacies

You can buy vitamins containing folate at the following prices:

• Acid in tablets – 38 rubles;
• Folacin – 130 rubles;
• Folio – 690 rub.;
• Elevit – 580 rub.;
• Spirulina – 1115 rub.;
• Centrum – 514 rub.

Folic acid throughout pregnancy: reviews

Ksenia Sumskaya.

I drank Elevit. It contains folk music too. The gynecologist canceled at 20 weeks. She said it was good for the child.

Oksana Surova.

I don't trust doctors. We gave birth before without all these dietary supplements and vitamins. And nothing. And for folk to be in the body, you need to eat buckwheat, eggs and beef liver.

: Borovikova Olga

gynecologist, ultrasound doctor, geneticist

Folic acid is one of the first medications prescribed to all women who find out they are pregnant. Sometimes gynecologists advise taking folic acid even at the stage of pregnancy planning.

In this article, we will analyze the need to prescribe folic acid to pregnant women, the timing of the prescription, the permissible doses of the drug and the duration of use.

Why is folic acid so necessary for pregnant women?

Folic acid belongs to the B vitamins. It is a water-soluble vitamin B 9. IN human body it is capable of being synthesized by the microflora of the large intestine.

But it is synthesized in the intestines in small quantities. This amount is completely insufficient to cover daily requirement in him.

Where to get the missing amount of folic acid? From food. But even with the diversity and proper nutrition a person often receives less daily norm folic acid.

When a product is heated or exposed to sunlight for a long time, vitamin B 9 is destroyed.

Therefore, during pregnancy, a deficiency of folic acid inevitably occurs in a woman’s body. In this regard, even ardent opponents of taking medications during pregnancy do not neglect taking folic acid.

It is especially important to make up for this deficiency in the early stages - during the period of active growth of the fetus, the formation of all its organs and systems. It is in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy that folic acid should enter the woman’s body in large quantities.

Vitamin B 9 is involved in the process of cell division. Without the normal process of cell division, organogenesis (the formation of organs and body systems) is impossible.

Folic acid is also necessary for hematopoiesis and the formation of blood cells (erythrocytes, platelets, leukocytes). And this is also very important not only for the fetus’s body, but also for the mother’s body. After all, anemia during pregnancy is a fairly common problem.

A deficiency of this vitamin can lead to fetal malformations (defects of the spinal column, abnormalities in the development of the child’s maxillofacial region, and others).

The role of folic acid is very important in the formation and formation of the neural tube - the rudiment of the future nervous system of the fetus.

Therefore, among the pathologies of fetal development in conditions of folic acid deficiency, malformations of the nervous system are possible. For example, various disorders of brain development can lead to intrauterine fetal death, stillbirth, or the birth of a sick child.

Folic acid plays an important role in the synthesis of amino acids and nucleotides.

Proteins in the child’s body are built from amino acids.

DNA is built from nucleotides - the carrier of the genetic information of the organism. Therefore, at normal concentrations of folic acid, the structure of DNA molecules is formed without damage or mutations.

If there is not enough folic acid in the body of a pregnant woman, then over time a toxic substance, homocysteine, begins to accumulate. It can damage the walls of blood vessels, which can lead to dire consequences during pregnancy.

Damage to the vascular wall is fraught with premature placental abruption, which can lead to premature birth.

Also, elevated levels of homocysteine ​​can contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases.

Vitamin B 9 takes part in the formation of the placenta and its blood vessels. Therefore, its lack can lead to uteroplacental insufficiency.

With a deficiency of folic acid, the mother's body also suffers. A lack of vitamin provokes the development of anemia, toxicosis, and depression.

Why do you need folic acid during pregnancy planning?

Folic acid affects the structure of cell division, especially cells of the fetal nervous system. The baby's neural tube begins to form on the 16th day after conception. This is the period when most mothers do not yet know about conception.

Therefore, in many countries around the world, gynecologists recommend that women take folic acid in advance, that is, at the stage of planning pregnancy.

It is considered optimal if the expectant mother takes folic acid for at least 3 months before conception.

If a woman did not take folic acid before pregnancy and found out about her situation, for example, at 6-7 weeks of pregnancy, she still needs to start taking folic acid. Since during the entire first trimester the fetal neural tube undergoes further differentiation.

The preventive dose of folic acid during pregnancy planning and during the first trimester is 400 mcg per day. Otherwise – 0.4 mg.

Only a special group of expectant mothers (women at risk) are prescribed large doses of folic acid - 800-1000 mcg per day.

The risk group for having a child with congenital anomalies includes women who:

• there was a history of pregnancy that ended in the birth of a child with a pathology of the nervous system or other developmental defects, or fetal death;
• there are cases of hereditary diseases in the family (even among family members of a distant degree of kinship);
• there are serious diseases - diabetes mellitus, megaloblastic anemia, epilepsy, metabolic diseases, peptic ulcer disease, celiac disease, autoimmune diseases, severe toxicosis.

In the diseases listed above, the processes of absorption and breakdown of folic acid are disrupted.

And medications medications used for such diseases (anticonvulsants, antacids, cytostatics, etc.) impair the absorption of folic acid.

A doctor observing a pregnant woman at risk can adjust the dose of folic acid based on the results of the examination. In some cases, it may be necessary to increase the dose to 2-3 mg of folic acid per day.

It is worth paying attention to the fact that most folic acid preparations contain 1 mg of the substance in one tablet. Therefore, if you are not at risk, you will have to divide the tablet. Or you need to choose a drug that contains a dose that is right for you.

The tablets should be taken orally after meals. It is also acceptable to take folic acid with meals if a woman feels nauseous after taking the pill after a meal.

How not to overdose the drug?

Many women are afraid of high doses of the drug and believe that taking 1000 mcg (1 mg) of folic acid can cause an overdose.

There's really no reason to worry. It is quite difficult to overdose on folic acid. This is a water-soluble vitamin, the excess of which is easily eliminated by the body.

However, you shouldn't get carried away. Long-term use of high doses of the drug can lead to malfunctions gastrointestinal tract, the appearance of a metallic taste in the mouth, sleep disturbances, irritability, anemia (as it leads to a deficiency of vitamin B 12).

Today, there are two opinions among doctors regarding the duration of taking folic acid during pregnancy.

Some believe that taking it for the first three months is enough. And in the future, the pregnant woman is recommended to take vitamin complexes containing folic acid and eat well.

Others recommend taking folic acid throughout pregnancy and continuing during breastfeeding. This is explained by the fact that throughout pregnancy and lactation the need for folic acid increases.

At the same time, a vitamin deficiency in the mother’s body that is not eliminated in time will lead to its deficiency in the baby’s body, since breast milk Vitamin B 9 will also not be enough.

What should you do? Trust your doctor and his opinion. Don't trust your doctor? Change it to someone you can trust.

Folic acid gets its name from the Latin word folium, meaning leaf. Because folic acid was first obtained from leafy greens.

The main sources of folic acid are green plants. These are spinach, wild garlic, parsley, lettuce, beans, lentils, beans, leeks, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, green peas, avocado.

A significant amount of vitamin B 9 is found in whole grain flour (with bran), cereals with an unrefined grain shell, and yeast.

Folic acid is present in liver, meat, fish, and hard cheese, but heat treatment of such products reduces its amount significantly.

It is better to eat vegetables and herbs raw or steam them to preserve their folic acid as much as possible.

If you infrequently consume the above products, then, of course, you should take additional folic acid in tablets or take vitamin-mineral complexes.

Drinking large amounts of tea negatively affects the absorption of folic acid. Moreover, tea accelerates its elimination from the body.

On the pharmaceutical market there are monopreparations containing only folic acid, and drugs with a combined composition.

Regular folic acid tablets (single drug) are available in dosages of 400 mcg, 500 mcg, 1000 mcg (depending on the manufacturer of the drug). Most often this is a dosage of 1000 mcg.

Foliber is a drug containing folic acid (400 mcg) and vitamin B 12 (cyanocobalamin - 2 mcg). Prescribed for the prevention of heart disease and anemia. Can be prescribed to pregnant women in the first trimester or planning pregnancy.

The drug should be used with caution in patients with impaired absorption of glucose or galactose, galactosemia or lactase deficiency, since the drug contains 23 mg of lactose per tablet. Take one tablet once a day.

Folio. The drug contains 400 mcg folate acid and 200 mcg of iodine. This drug contains two important elements for a pregnant woman in a prophylactic dose.

Folio according to the instructions should be taken once a day, preferably during a meal, one tablet. For diseases of the thyroid gland, before taking the drug, you need to adjust the dose of the drugs already used (due to the iodine contained in the tablets).

Doppelhertz active Folic acid is a vitamin complex. Contains folic acid - 600 mcg, vitamin C - 300 mg, B 6 - 6 mcg, B 12 - 5 mcg, E - 36 mg.

The drug is prescribed for the prevention of heart disease, cerebrovascular accidents, and gynecological diseases. Suitable for the prevention of hypovitaminosis during pregnancy and lactation. Prescribed 1 tablet once a day with meals.

Folic acid with B 6 and B 12 (Evalar). The drug contains: folic acid - 600 mcg, vitamin B 12 - 5 mcg, vitamin B 6 - 6 mg. It's biological active additive to food.

Indications for use are the same as for the above drugs. The recommended course of treatment is 4-6 weeks. Take 1 tablet once a day, preferably with the first meal.

Multivitamin complexes such as Elevit Pronatal, Materna, Vitrum prenatal, etc. often prescribed to pregnant women with iron deficiency, deficiency of folic acid and other vitamins when carrying a child and breastfeeding.

Important: do not long time take calcium-containing vitamin complexes for women with excess calcium in the blood.

Folic acid "9 months" and Mamifol contain 400 mcg of folic acid. Prescribed to prevent folic acid deficiency in women of childbearing age during pregnancy planning stages (1-3 months in advance) and to prevent the development of neural tube defects in the fetus. Take 1 tablet per day.

To treat established folic acid deficiency, Folacin or Apo-filik is used. The preparations contain 5 mg of folic acid per tablet.

There are also iron supplements that additionally contain folic acid. These are Maltofer, Hemoferon, Fenyuls Zinc.

These drugs are used mainly for iron deficiency, folate deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. They are not entirely suitable for the prevention of folic acid deficiency during pregnancy, since they contain a dose of folic acid lower than the preventive dose - 300 mcg.

Folic acid preparations are sold without a prescription and always remain affordable. However, a woman should not make her own decision regarding the intake and dosage of folic acid during pregnancy.

Always check with your doctor about the required dosage, duration of use, conditions for taking the drug, and the compatibility of the drug with other medications you are taking. Including vitamins.

Vitamins are also medicines, chemical substances, which, if handled improperly, can, in combination with other substances in your body, give a chemical reaction that will cause irreparable harm to your body and the body of your child.

Be prudent and careful when using medications. Health to you and your children!

During pregnancy, a woman should be especially attentive to her diet and intake of vitamins. After all, for the growth of the fetus, a lot of energy, biologically active substances and microelements are needed, which must come from outside. And folic acid during pregnancy is one of these important components for the development of the child.

Folic acid is a B vitamin. It is also called vitamin B9, vitamin Bc, folacin, pteroylglutamic acid. In the 30s of the last century, this acid was isolated by scientists from yeast. And in the 40s it was artificially synthesized. Pteroylglutamic acid was first used to treat anemia in pregnant women, and later its other beneficial properties were studied.

Why do you need folacin?

A deficiency of folic acid in the diet of mothers can cause developmental abnormalities in the child. For example, he may be born with underdeveloped brain. There are also spinal anomalies of varying severity.

Folic acid is necessary for the fetus for other reasons. It prevents diseases of the heart, urinary tract, cleft lip and palate. The woman herself has vitamin B:

• prevents heart disease;
• participates in the formation of DNA;
• prevents the development of certain types of anemia.

Where to find natural vitamin BC

A woman can receive folacin with the following foods:

• green leaves;
• vegetables;
• fruits;
• cereals;
• all products of animal origin.

But in foods, pteroylglutamic acid is quickly destroyed when exposed to sunlight and at temperatures above 20°C. In addition, the products contain very little of this acid, so its synthesized preparation is much more effective.

Vitamin B is also produced in the human body. It is produced by intestinal microflora. However, any negative factor, such as a busy life or chronic diseases, sharply reduces its production. Pteroylglutamic acid does not accumulate in the body. It is consumed faster during pregnancy, with fatigue, lack of sleep and exacerbation of chronic diseases.

If expectant mother wants to avoid fetal pathologies, it is not enough to take vitamin BC only with food. Experts recommend that pregnant women take folacin tablets.

Folic acid deficiency during pregnancy and how to compensate for it

Why is folic acid prescribed during pregnancy? First of all, folacin is used in cases of deficiency in the body. Vitamin B deficiency manifests itself as:

• prostration;
• decreased desire to eat;
• mood instability;
• brittle nails and hair.

In a woman planning a pregnancy, folacin affects the effectiveness of attempts to become pregnant and forms the foundation for pregnancy healthy child. Therefore, vitamin BC is prescribed at the stage of planning a child, when a woman is just about to become pregnant, and the couple is actively preparing for this.

Research shows that taking folic acid several months before a woman becomes pregnant and three months after fertilization can help prevent birth defects.

Usually, folic acid and vitamin E are prescribed together when planning pregnancy and after conception, since vitamin E is also a good immunomodulator and antioxidant. According to reviews from doctors, it is also successfully used in the prevention of infertility and miscarriage.

When and in what quantity do you take folacin?

The World Health Organization, based on the results of multicenter studies, has developed recommendations on how to drink folic acid during pregnancy. According to international statistics, it is necessary to consume 400 mcg of pteroylglutamic acid per day to prevent neural tube defects in the fetus. And women who have already had a child with some changes in the nervous system should take even larger doses of this vitamin.

A few months before conception. And also in the first months of pregnancy, an increased dose of vitamin Bc is prescribed - at least 800 mcg (0.8 mg) per 24 hours.

From the second trimester of pregnancy. The amount of vitamin depends on the general condition of the woman and the characteristics of the pregnancy. The range of prescriptions can vary from 400 mcg to 5 mg per 24 hours.

The individual dosage of folic acid during pregnancy is determined by the gynecologist. The doctor will be able to answer the question of how much folic acid you need to drink during pregnancy, and until what month you should take it only taking into account the medical history and lifestyle characteristics of the pregnant woman. In addition, the prescription of a vitamin can serve the purpose of both prevention and treatment. For example, a dose of 5 mg is prescribed by a doctor for severe folacin deficiency. The course of treatment in this case lasts three to four weeks.

Based on the prescriptions, it will be possible to calculate how many 1 mg tablets per day should be taken in each case. It is advisable to take an individual dose of the vitamin at the same time of day. It can be done both before and after meals. The tablet does not need to be chewed. Drink with a small amount of water. For better absorption, the acid is drunk together with B12 and ascorbic acid.

Oversaturation of the body with vitamin B prevents the detection of vitamin B12 deficiency in time, if present. Therefore, when taking folacin for a long time, monitoring and supervision by a doctor is necessary.

Can everything be too much

There is practically no overdose of folic acid during pregnancy; vitamin B is not harmful. If the vitamin is not used up in a day, its excess is quickly eliminated from the body. However, the daily limit for consumption of this acid is 5 mg. The number of tablets is calculated based on the fact that the dosage of the vitamin in one tablet is 1 mg. Thus, the highest daily dose is 5 tablets.

Exceeding this limit leads to side effects such as:

• bowel dysfunction;
• changes in kidney function;
• increased excitability.

When is folic acid harmful?

According to the instructions for use, folacin is contraindicated in cases where a woman has an individual intolerance to the drug. Also contraindications are such background diseases as:

• bronchial asthma;
• kidney disease;
• anemia due to lack of B12.

Now it becomes clear why folic acid during pregnancy, along with all the recommendations, is necessarily prescribed by gynecologists. During all 9 months of pregnancy, folic acid is necessary, because at this time the psychological and physiological health of the baby is established.

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Health status expectant mother is one of the most important factors for a favorable pregnancy. A lack of vitamins and beneficial micro- and macroelements is very dangerous during pregnancy. Folic acid is vital during this time. We will talk about the features of this vitamin and its intake in an “interesting” position in this article.

General information about folic acid

This substance belongs to the B vitamins. In the body, folic acid, or vitamin B9 in other words, is produced in very small quantities, so most of it reaches a person with food.
You can often find the term “folate” in some sources. Some people believe that folic acid and folate are the same thing. But it is not so. Folate is a natural form of the vitamin that occurs naturally in foods. And folic acid is a synthetic substance, that is, a product of chemical manipulations by scientists in laboratories.

• parsley;
• spinach;
• salad;
• cabbage;
• beet;
• cucumbers;
• broccoli;
• spinach;
• peas;
• beans;
• lentils;
• oranges;
• bananas;
• apricots;
• wholemeal bread;
• meat;
• liver;
• eggs;
• leaves black currant, raspberries, rose hips and some other products.

Dutch scientists have discovered a connection between folic acid and human mental abilities. In an experiment, it was proven that taking 0.4 mg of vitamin B9 daily preserves intelligence as you age.

When I was pregnant with my second son, I got a new local gynecologist. I was very surprised that she was against prescribing any synthetic vitamins unless absolutely necessary. To all my requests and questions regarding what I should drink from multivitamins, she answered that there is nothing better than a balanced diet. And only she treated folic acid differently and prescribed it in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Vitamin B9 is found in a fairly large number of foods: vegetables, legumes, meat products, etc.

Unfortunately, the diet modern man often does not correspond to the concept of “balanced nutrition”. Therefore, it is not uncommon for certain substances in the body to be lacking. In addition to this, vitamin B9 is practically unstable to exposure environment. It quickly breaks down during storage and cooking.
There is also a category of people who lack the enzyme responsible for the absorption of folic acid. It is not absorbed from food at all, but taking pharmaceutical drugs can eliminate its deficiency.
Normally healthy person folic acid in the blood should be in an amount from 7 to 45 nmol/l. And although these indicators are very small, their slightest fluctuations up or down are fraught with health problems. The main symptoms of folic acid deficiency are constant fatigue, loss of appetite, and severe irritability.

These signs are very similar to those experienced by a pregnant woman in the first months of pregnancy. Therefore, many people often have no idea about the lack of vitamin B9.

But if in normal conditions its lack is not so dangerous, then this problem becomes especially acute when a woman begins to carry a child under her heart. The body of the expectant mother at this time needs much more nutrients. And she needs especially a lot of vitamin B9, since it is involved in the process of DNA synthesis, growth and division of fetal cells, and the formation of the hematopoietic system.
Folic acid is essential for the development of a child’s nervous system. Its deficiency often leads to defects in the brain, neural tube of the embryo, etc. All these organs are formed already in the first weeks of pregnancy. Thus, in the first week after conception, the formation of the fetal neural tube occurs, which is responsible for the correct functioning of the entire body. This is why obstetricians and gynecologists recommend starting to take folic acid 3-4 months before the final decision to conceive is made.

Preparations with “folk”, as expectant mothers affectionately call it, are freely available in pharmacies. They are produced in tablet form. Vitamin B9 can be contained either in single preparations with one active ingredient, or as part of a complex product, combined, for example, with iodine, iron, other B vitamins and other substances.

Vitamin complexes for pregnant women usually contain a whole range of substances necessary for pregnancy. Some may contain folate, a substance obtained from natural foods. And in others - folic acid, which was synthesized artificially. It is believed that folates are absorbed better and faster by the body.
Pharmaceutical factories produce folic acid in tablet form.

The single preparation contains only folic acid. Its name corresponds to the active substance. The auxiliary components are the following:

• lactose monohydrate (milk sugar);
• microcrystalline cellulose;
• povidone (polyvinylpyrrolidone);
• corn starch;
• magnesium stearate.

In the blood, vitamin B9 reaches its maximum value half an hour to an hour after administration. It accumulates in the liver and is excreted in the urine. Folic acid can penetrate to the fetus through the placenta and into breast milk.

Indications, contraindications and side effects

Indications for the use of Folic acid are:

• prophylactic use during pregnancy and lactation in order to prevent its deficiency in the body;
• treatment and prevention of folate deficiency anemia.

The drug should not be taken by persons who have the following health problems:

• individual intolerance to the components of the drug;
• anemia associated with vitamin B12 deficiency;
• lactose intolerance;
• lactase deficiency;
• glucose-galactase malabsorption (impaired absorption of glucose and galactose).

Also, the drug should not be taken by children under 3 years of age. Folic acid should be taken with extreme caution:

• in the presence of a folate-dependent malignant tumor;
• when taking dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors (drugs that slow down the activity of this enzyme).

Side effects may include:

• allergic reactions: rash, itching, erythema (severe redness of the skin due to dilation of capillaries), bronchospasm (narrowing of the bronchi), hyperthermia (fever), anaphylactic reactions;
• from the gastrointestinal tract: anorexia, nausea, bloating, bitterness in the mouth, diarrhea;
• from the nervous system: irritability, sleep disturbance.

With long-term use, there is a risk of developing hypovitaminosis B12.

Folic acid is not compatible with all medications, so you must consult a doctor before taking it. Reduces the absorption of folic acid:

• antacids (drugs that reduce gastric acidity);
• Cholestyramine;
• antimicrobial agents from the sulfonamide class (Arifon, Klopamide and others).

Reduce its effectiveness:

• Methotrexate;
• Pyrimethamine;
• Triamterene;
• Trimethoprim.

The connection between the absorption of zinc and the simultaneous intake of folic acid has not been proven. However, some scientists suggest that their combined use does not allow zinc to be properly absorbed.

Can there be an overdose?

Previously, it was believed that an overdose from taking folic acid could not happen. However, recent research has proven that this is possible. Those pregnant women who took it for a very long time or in large quantities gave birth to children susceptible to frequent colds and bronchial asthma.
The health of a pregnant woman with uncontrolled intake of folic acid is also at risk, since an overdose is often not noticed for a very long time. And it can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency, as well as disruption of the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract.

This is why you should not start taking folic acid supplements on your own. It is important to remember that only a person with medical education and knowledge of the patient’s health condition can prescribe the correct dosage and duration of use of such drugs.

Features of application

According to the data World Organization healthcare, a pregnant woman should receive 0.4 mg of folic acid per day. But each case is individual. And, based on the condition of the expectant mother, the doctor may prescribe a different dosage. It is possible to take 0.8 mg of the drug, and for anemia even 5 mg. Only a doctor can calculate the correct dose. It is he who prescribes the drug dosage regimen.

Typically, a pregnant woman is prescribed to take 1 tablet per day with a concentration of the active substance of 1 mg. But the doctor can make an appointment in a different way. For example, 2-3 tablets of 0.4 mg per day. If the expectant mother has been confirmed to have folate deficiency anemia, then she is prescribed a dosage of more than 5 mg. Typically, this condition is treated with the drug Folacin, which is no longer preventive, but remedy.

When purchasing a vitamin at a pharmacy, you should definitely pay attention to the concentration of the active substance, which varies.

It is better to drink folic acid after meals, as it increases the acidity of gastric juice. And in pregnant women, taking it before meals can cause vomiting. If you take a vitamin B9 tablet with meals, digestion of food will be difficult.

Unfortunately, not all doctors indicate when prescribing the drug the amount of active substance that should be in 1 tablet. This happened to me too. The gynecologist prescribed taking 1 tablet of Folic acid twice a day. Arriving at the pharmacy, I was extremely discouraged by the fact that the dosage could be different. The lack of necessary information led to the fact that I had to visit the doctor again so that she could clarify the amount of folic acid in the daily dose.
For the treatment of folate deficiency anemia, the drug Folacin is prescribed.

At what stages of pregnancy can you take folic acid?

The importance of taking vitamin B9 at the stage when the baby’s life has not yet begun, and at the early stage of pregnancy, was mentioned above. But the need for this vitamin does not disappear even after.

Thus, its lack throughout the entire period of pregnancy can lead to preeclampsia (a complication of its course, characterized by high blood pressure, edema and the appearance of protein in the urine). This condition is very dangerous for the fetus, as blood flow through the placenta is disrupted, which often leads to a lag in birth. physical development child. This pathology can also lead to premature birth and eclampsia, in which arterial pressure becomes critically high, which is dangerous for the life of the mother and fetus.

In the last 3 months of pregnancy, folic acid is important element to prevent too early rupture of the amniotic membrane, as well as the onset of labor ahead of schedule.

Doctors usually prescribe folic acid supplementation in the first 3 months of pregnancy. Subsequently, as a rule, multivitamins are prescribed for pregnant women, which also contain it, but in a smaller dosage. In any case, the need to take any vitamins should be determined only by a doctor based on the available data on the health status of the pregnant woman.

Analogs

Among the complete analogues of the monomedicine Folic acid, the following can be distinguished:

1. Vitrum folicum. One tablet contains 0.4 mg of active substance. Indications, route of administration and dosage correspond to the original drug.
2. Folacin. Contains 5 mg of active ingredient in 1 tablet. It is a therapeutic agent for the elimination of folate deficiency anemia.

Complex preparations that contain other beneficial substances besides folic acid include:

1. Foliber. Also contains vitamin B12. Among the contraindications are individual intolerance to the components of Foliber, lactose intolerance, lactase deficiency, glucose-galactase malabsorption. The dosage of folic acid in 1 tablet is 0.4 mg, and cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) is 0.002 mg, which is the minimum daily dosage.
2. Elevit pronatal. This drug is a combination of vitamins and minerals necessary for the health of a pregnant woman and her baby. It contains 0.8 mg of folic acid. Contraindications for taking this vitamin complex are individual intolerance to the components, excess in the body of one or more substances of the drug, kidney and liver diseases, impaired absorption and excretion of iron, problems with excessive excretion of calcium in the urine.
3. Alphabet Mom's health. The uniqueness of this vitamin complex lies in the fact that all the substances contained in it (namely 13 vitamins with folic acid together, 11 minerals and taurine) are distributed among three tablets in such a way that they do not interfere with the absorption of each other. Vitamin B9 is contained in two tablets of 0.3 mg each. Contraindications include sensitivity to the components of the drug, as well as hyperfunction of the thyroid gland. The manufacturer recommends taking each tablet separately throughout the day. But it is also possible to take all three tablets at the same time. But the effectiveness of taking the drug decreases.
4. Folio. The drug contains folic acid in the amount of 0.4 mg and 0.2 mg of iodine in 1 tablet. Contraindications include individual intolerance to the components. Should be taken with caution by women with thyroid diseases.

In both my first and second pregnancies, I took regular Folic acid until the 12th week of pregnancy. The gynecologist did not prescribe me any further multivitamins for expectant mothers. In my opinion, with full varied diet the body does not require additional sources of vitamins and minerals even when a woman is in an “interesting” position.

Photo gallery: analogues of the drug Folic acid

Foliber, in addition to folic acid, contains vitamin B12. Complex of vitamins Alphabet Mom's Health is distributed between 3 tablets. Vitrum Folikum is a complete analogue of Folic acid. Folacin contains. It is prescribed only for test-confirmed folate deficiency anemia. Elevit pronatal includes a complex necessary for a pregnant woman.
Folio is an additional source of folic acid and iodine for expectant mothers