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A little info about neural tube defects i found on msn health.Just copy n paste.Too lazy to summarize.
Neural tube defects (NTDs) occur in the first month of pregnancy when the structure that develops into the brain and spinal cord is forming. Normally, this structure folds into a tube by the 29th day after conception. When the tube doesn’t close completely, the baby has an NTD; many babies with these defects are stillborn or die soon after birth. The two most common forms of NTDs are:
- Spina bifida, which happens when the spinal column doesn’t close completely around the spinal cord. It ranges from mild to severe and can be associated with loss of bladder and bowel function, paralysis, and, in some cases, death.
- Anencephaly, which occurs in three out of 10,000 births, involves the lack of development of parts of the brain.
NTDs are multifactorial defects, which according to the March of Dimes occur in about 2,500 babies a year in the United States, or one out of every 2,000 live births. Studies have shown that many of these defects may be prevented when the mother gets enough folic acid before and during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. Women must make sure that they are receiving enough folic acid before they become pregnant because the neural tube closes during the period about 1 week after the first missed menstrual period – so mothers cannot wait to start folic acid when they first realize they are pregnant. For this reason, it is recommended that women of reproductive age take folic acid throughout their reproductive years.
Spina bifida ~ a type of neural tube defect
Every pregnant woman will be prescribed folic acid at least during their first trimester by their obgyn.
Why is this folic acid so important?
Folic acid is a group of vitamin B..B9 if i am not mistaken.Folic acid plays a big role in structuring DNA,thus very important in the cell developement as well as the tissue formation.Thus it is very important that woman who tried to get pregnant to take their folic acid,as it play such big role during the foetus early growth.In sufficient folic acid during early pregnancy could lead to neural tube defect in the embrio. ( more about this later ).This defect usually occurs in the first 28 days of pregnancy,even before a woman knows she is pregnant!It is important that women trying to get pregnant to consume folic acid at least 1 month before conception and during the first trimester of pregnancy.Women who can get pregnant also adviced to take folid acid daily.
How much should i take folic acid daily?
We should take at least 400 microgram daily,to have efficient effect.Folic acid could also be found in green leafy greens such as spinach,bread,pasta,and orang juice.
My story:
After we got married,we wanted to have baby straight away.I started to search information on how to conceive successfully.I began my folic acid intake during the 2nd month of marriage,while actively trying to have baby.At the end of 3rd month, we found out that we were pregnant with our first baby.Alhamdulillah.I continued my folic acid intake through 1st trimester until i was pregnant at 6 month, when my obgyn changed it to multivitamin pills.Alhamdulillah, despite of all the difficulties in my pregnancy,my baby was born just a month before our anniversary.I am not saying it was all because of folic acid,but i think it helps my baby to be strong in my womb.
