Folic Acid for Every Woman (Spina Bifida Awareness)

Fact: Approximately 2,500 infants are born each year in the U.S. with a neural tube defect. About half these cases are thought to be related to inadequate folic acid intake by the mother (source).

In college, I took Nutrition 100 and loved it. I learned that certain vitamins are very important to pregnant women. One of them is folic acid. When our doctor told us Jacob had spina bifida, I knew what spina bifida was because of my nutrition class. I had been taking a prenatal vitamin, but I felt so guilty – what if I had forgotten to take it one day? And that’s what caused it? The doctor reassured me that it wasn’t my fault, but I’m not taking any chances anymore. I will always take my prenatal vitamin. Everyday.

 

About Folic Acid

Folic Acid is a B Vitamin that our bodies need to make new cells. Folic acid and folate (the anion form) are forms of the water-soluble Vitamin B₉. These occur naturally in food and can also be taken as supplements. Folate gets its name from the Latin word folium for "leaf" (source).

Folic acid is very important because it can help prevent spina bifida and other birth defects by 50% to 70%

Everyone who can get pregnant should be taking a prenatal vitamin with 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid. Daily. No matter what. Even and especially if you’re on birth control (see next paragraph). The center for disease control recommends taking folic acid at least one month before trying to conceive.

I’ve done a lot of reading about spina bifida. One thing I’ve learned, that no doctor ever told me, is that oral contraceptives can deplete your B vitamin and folic acid stores (source). There is now an oral contraceptive approved by the FDA that contains folic acid (source). If you’re taking a birth control pill, it’s extra important to take folic acid along with it.

 

Where to Get Folic Acid

You can get low priced over-the-counter folic acid or prenatal vitamins at your grocery store or at Wal-Mart.

You can also get a prescription prenatal vitamin that contains metafolin, and is more expensive, like this one:

Metafolin is a type of folic acid that is easier to metabolize. (Talk to your doctor before buying it online – Prenate with metafolin is prescription only). According to the “Prenate” website:

“Metabolizing ("breaking down") folic acid to its active, protective folate form is difficult for some women. Up to 1 in 2 women may have this difficulty due to common genetic mutations, according to the British Medical Journal.”

I take Prenate with metafolin AND 4 mg of folic acid a day. Women who have had a child with a neural tube defect should be taking a megadose of folic acid before trying to conceive, 4 milligrams (mg), which is equal to 4,000 mcg, daily.

 

Foods with Folic Acid

When I found out I was pregnant with Jacob, I started buying more spinach. I guess I remembered that spinach has folate. You can get adequate levels of folate by eating the following foods:

• Citrus fruits and juices (1-2)
• Leafy, dark green vegetables (3-5)
• Legumes (dried beans and peas) (6-8)
• Most berries
• Whole grains
• Breakfast cereals (almost all are fortified with 100% the recommended value of folic acid)

 

Conclusion

Neural Tube defects like spina bifida develop in the first 18-30 days after conception, often before a woman knows she’s pregnant. That’s why it is SO, SO, SO important to always take a prenatal vitamin if you can become pregnant.

Ladies, next time you’re at the store, stock up on some prenatal vitamins. If you have a family member with SB (listen up sisters and cousins), consider getting a prescription prenatal vitamin with metafolin.

Guys, help your wife remember to take her prenatal vitamin. Sometimes it’s hard to remember all the things you have to do as a woman.

I love my little Jacob. He is an inspiration and a miracle and has blessed our lives already. I’m thankful for him! But if I could take away his spina bifida, I would. And if I can help prevent spina bifida from affecting any of your lives, I will try.