This page is a collection of past "Question of the Month" entries from the homepage of this website. If you would like further information about anything you read, please contact us.

Q: Is it okay to just wait until I’m pregnant – or planning to get pregnant – to start taking folic acid?

A: Birth defects of the brain and spine (anencephaly and spina bifida) happen in the first few weeks of pregnancy; often before you find out you're pregnant. By the time you realize you’re pregnant, it might be too late to prevent those birth defects. Also, even if you intend to take a supplement containing folic acid 30 days before you plan to conceive, about half of all pregnancies are unplanned, so it may be too late. For these reasons, even if you aren’t planning a pregnancy anytime soon, it’s still important for you to get at least 0.4 mg of folic acid every day, or more if advised by your healthcare provider.

Q: I'm planning to get pregnant this month. Is it too late to start taking folic acid?

A: If you haven’t been taking folic acid, it doesn't necessarily mean that your baby will be born with birth defects. However, it’s recommended that women planning to get pregnant take a supplement containing 0.4 mg of folic acid every day, starting at least one month before getting pregnant and during the first trimester.

If you’re trying to get pregnant this month, or anytime soon, start taking 0.4 mg of folic acid right away to reduce the risk of neural tube defects.

Q: I already have a child with spina bifida. Should I do anything different to prepare for my next pregnancy?

A: Women who’ve had one pregnancy affected by a birth defect of the brain or spine may be at a higher risk for having another child with a neural tube disorder. You should talk to your healthcare provider about taking a higher dosage of folic acid – up to 4.0 mg each day – at least one month before getting pregnant and during your first trimester and do so only upon his or her medical advice. For more information, please see our section for High-Risk Women.

Q: Do I really need to take a folic acid supplement? Can’t I get enough folic acid by just eating a well-balanced and healthy diet?

A: It’s hard to eat a diet that has all the nutrients you need every day. Even with careful planning, you might not get all the vitamins you need from your diet alone. That’s why it’s important to take a vitamin with at least 0.4 mg of folic acid every day. Some foods are good sources of folic acid ; however, even if you track your daily consumption using a tool such as the VitaTrack Folate Tracker , you’ll likely find you’re not going to get enough folic acid to reduce the risk of neural tube defects without taking a supplement.

Q: I have trouble swallowing pills, so how can I make sure I get enough folic acid?

A: Some foods are good sources of folic acid. Check the labels on foods that have them, including breakfast cereals, to find out what percentage of the daily value (DV) of folate they contain. But remember that, even with careful planning, you might not get all the vitamins you need from your diet alone. The good news is that multivitamins containing folic acid now come in a variety of formats, including chewable tablets and liquids.

Q: How can I remember to take a vitamin with folic acid every day?

A: A simple way to remember is to take your vitamin at the same time every day, first thing in the morning or right before bed, for example. You can also try taking your vitamin when you brush your teeth, eat breakfast or lunch, finish your daily shower, or brush your hair. Leaving the vitamin bottle on the bathroom or kitchen counter in plain view can help you remember to take it, too. If you use a cell phone, you can program it to give you a daily reminder. If you have children, you can take your vitamin when they take theirs.