What’s the risk of not having enough folic acid?
You’ve probably seen the words ‘neural tube’ when reading about folic acid. But what is it and what has it got to do with your baby’s development? The neural tube starts to form in early pregnancy and is essentially the structure that will in the end be your baby's brain and spinal cord. If it doesn’t fully develop or close properly, it can cause defects in the spinal cord and vertebrae, such as spina bifida. Having the right level of folic acid in your body ready for this early development of the foetus can reduce the risk of neural tube defects by up to 70%.3
Why do I need to take folic acid before conceiving? What are the benefits of folic acid for conception? Taking folic acid doesn’t aid conception itself but it does help to prepare your body so you’re ready for pregnancy from day one. Some aspects of the development of your foetus, such as neural tube development, can be well underway before you even realise that you’re pregnant. Taking folic acid ahead of actively trying for a baby ensures you’ve built up healthy levels of this vitamin in advance.