If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, you probably know that you should be taking folic acid daily. U.S. researchers, who studied pregnant women in Ireland, now believe that not getting enough vitamin B12 can have the same effects as not getting enough Folic Acid.
A lack of either vitamin increases the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) including Spina Bifida (Causes partial paralysis in the baby) and Anecephaly (Baby is born with a severely underdeveloped brain and skull and is either still born or dies soon after birth).
These birth defects occur in the first few weeks of pregnancy. The U.S. Public Health Service recommends that all women of child bearing age consume 400 micrograms (mcg) of Folic Acid daily. This is the 100% daily value (DV) that is generally in a multi-vitamin. Vitamin B12 is, as well, usually found in a mulit-vitamin with a DV of 6 mcg. If you have epilepsy, stomach or intestinal problems or if you are a vegetarian, the researchers recommend checking your vitamin B 12 levels before you are pregnant to make sure they are not low.
If you are planning to get pregnant, check with your doctor to see if she recommends a higher dose. It is important to be taking this vitamin daily for at least a month before pregnancy to ensure an adequate level. NTDs occur before the 29th day after conception and your levels need to be adequate before and during this time. You might not even know that you are pregnant at this early stage, so make sure to take that vitamin daily.
The dosage of folic acid is usually upped to 600 or 800 mcg when you are pregnant, even higher levels are usually recommended for women with a family history of NTDs;
Check with your doctor.
