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Folic acid in pregnancy
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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[ Instructions for use
Folic acid synthesizes DNA and strengthens the immune system. Vitamin B9 takes part in the formation of the baby's nervous system, blood system, red blood cells, and platelets.
Dosage: 400 mcg/day. Divide the dose into 4 doses.
Women with symptoms of acidum folicum deficiency are prescribed the drug "Folacin". 1 tablet of the drug contains 5 mcg of acid.
The tablets should be taken after meals. The duration of treatment is about 40 days.
No negative effects on the fetus were identified.
Take vitamin B9 strictly in the amount recommended by your doctor.
Folic acid when planning pregnancy
Folic acid should be taken by both the expectant mother and father when planning a pregnancy, because its deficiency can affect the quality of sperm. Folic acid (vitamin B9, acidum folicum) reduces the number of defective spermatozoa. Planning a pregnancy is necessary for all parents. It is involved in the formation of the placenta. Vitamin B9 prevents premature birth and miscarriage.
Folic acid deficiency is observed in 60% of expectant mothers. Deficiency is often caused by intestinal diseases. This condition is dangerous for cells that are actively dividing. Moreover, not only the cells of the embryo are dividing - during pregnancy, the mother's cells are renewed more actively. Acidum folicum is needed for a good mood, a positive attitude when planning a pregnancy.
The Effect of Folic Acid on Pregnancy
Women with vitamin B9 deficiency feel sick more often, and depression develops more often after childbirth. Folic acid during pregnancy protects against helminthiasis and serves as an excellent preventative measure against stomatitis. With critically low levels of acidum folicum in the blood, the bone marrow begins producing defective, immature red blood cells. This disease is called macrocytic anemia.
You can suspect a folic acid deficiency by severe fatigue, irritability, severe early toxicosis - literally nothing fits into the mouth, but the baby wants to eat! Also, your hair may fall out - this is a very common horror story that frightens expectant mothers. The cardiovascular system suffers no less with a folic acid deficiency.
Asparagus, spinach, avocado, beetroot, egg yolk, beans, chicken liver, oranges should definitely become your favorite products during pregnancy. It is useful for you to consume bread made from wholemeal flour, with bran.
The recommended additional dose of acidum folicum in tablets is 400 mcg each day. Avoid tea during pregnancy - it removes folic acid.
How to take folic acid during pregnancy?
Start taking folic acid when you are planning a pregnancy; it is most needed on the 20th-30th day from the beginning of conception.
Even doctors who are against medications during pregnancy admit that taking folic acid in tablets is necessary for expectant mothers.
In addition to taking folic acid tablets, eat more spinach, green salad, liver and meat.
Folic acid norm during pregnancy
The norm of folic acid during pregnancy increases to 800 mcg. Dark green vegetables, yeast, egg yolk, melon, pumpkin and beans do not completely cover the deficiency of vitamin B9 in the body, so it must be taken in tablet form. Fever, malignant tumors, anorexia contribute to folic acid deficiency. If there is a deficiency, there may be placental abruption, the child may die in utero. If you suspect that you have acidum folicum deficiency, ask your doctor to prescribe a blood biochemistry test.
Dosage and method of administration
Dosage of folic acid during pregnancy: 1 tablet 4 times a day (0.001 g). The dose may be adjusted by your gynecologist. If you take drugs such as Almagel or Biseptol, Aspirin, your doctor may prescribe you a higher dose due to decreased absorption of the acid.
Symptoms of overdose
Overdosing on folic acid during pregnancy is dangerous, but for it to occur, you would need to swallow 20 tablets at once. There are usually no side effects from overdosing, and it is easily excreted by the kidneys. Acidum folicum in tablets does not cause any negative reactions in the body and is completely safe for the fetus. Rarely, with overdoses, bloating and poor sleep may be observed.
Benefits and harms of folic acid during pregnancy
The benefits of folic acid during pregnancy are obvious, so it is prescribed to all pregnant women by doctors at antenatal clinics. Vitamin B9 is extremely important for the full development of the baby's immune system. If there is not enough folic acid in the mother's blood during pregnancy, the baby may have problems with mental development, and when he is born, he will lag behind in school. Carrots, oranges, buckwheat porridge, pumpkin, pork, liver, cheese, salmon on your table can partially satisfy the body's needs for this substance. Acidum folicum tends to break down when boiled, fried, baked. Therefore, these products are consumed raw if possible.
Folic acid can be harmful during pregnancy if you take too much (more than 20 tablets) per day. Very rarely, acidum folicum in tablets still causes allergies, itching, erythema (very rarely) in expectant mothers.
Reviews of folic acid during pregnancy
Reviews of folic acid during pregnancy show that in general, its intake has a positive effect on the development of the baby and the mother's mood. Vitamin B9 helps to avoid anxiety before childbirth and postpartum depression, and is essential for the normal production of red blood cells.
You should know the signs of a folic acid deficiency: fatigue, depression, sleep disturbances, anemia. If you find these signs, be sure to inform your gynecologist!
Price of folic acid during pregnancy
The price of folic acid during pregnancy in Kyiv pharmacies is 3-19 UAH, that is, it is available to everyone.
Folic acid during pregnancy is necessary for normal division of embryonic cells and is recommended for all pregnant women, especially in the early stages.
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Folic acid in pregnancy" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.