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Folic acid (also called folate, folacin, or vitamin B9) is a vitamin that helps grow and protect cells. While folic acid is found is some foods, including fortified grains, lentils, chickpeas, oranges, brussel sprouts, and spinach, it is difficult to get enough folic acid from your diet alone.
Research shows that taking folic acid (in the pill form from the pharmacy) in the three months before pregnancy, can lower the risk of some birth defects, including open spinal cord (neural tube defect), facial clefts, congenital heart disease, limb defects, urinary tract problems, and some paediatric cancers.
It is important that all women of child-bearing age take between 0.4 - 1.0mg of folic acid daily. At minimum, you should begin taking a folic acid supplement three months before trying to get pregnant, but because many pregnancies are unplanned, all women who could become pregnant should take a supplement daily. Talk to your health care provider about whether you are taking the right dose for you. For more information on this important vitamin, check out the links below.