Today’s guest post is written by Donna Dell of Mission Pharmacal on the findings of a survey, conducted in part by March of Dimes, on the importance of taking folic acid before and during pregnancy.
Did you know that taking multivitamins or vitamins containing folic acid is an important component for a healthy mom and baby?
A recent survey conducted by the March of Dimes, in partnership with Mission Pharmacal, showed that only 34 percent of women ages 18-45 started taking a prenatal vitamin or multivitamin before they knew they were pregnant, and the number drops to 27 percent for Hispanic women and to 10 percent for African-American/black women.
Taking a multivitamin containing folic acid every day before and during pregnancy can help prevent serious birth defects of the brain and spine, also called neural tube defects. More than 120,000 babies — or three percent of all births — will be born with birth defects in the U.S. this year.
Here are some other key findings from the survey:
- While, 97% of women reported taking prenatal vitamins or multivitamins during their last or current pregnancy, 36% of women of childbearing age said they are currently not taking any vitamin or mineral supplements at all.
- 77% of all women worry that there may be changes to the healthcare system that may negatively impact access to prenatal care.
- 43% of women who have been or are currently pregnant reported that cost affected when and whether they sought prenatal care for their pregnancy.
- 84% of women who reported being familiar with folic acid either didn’t know (59%) or weren’t sure of the recommended amount of the nutrient is needed, in order to help have a healthy baby or pregnancy.
So, what are some steps you can take to support a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby?
- Take a multivitamin or prenatal vitamin containing at least 400 micro-grams (mcg) of folic acid every day before pregnancy to help prevent serious birth defects.
- If you’re thinking of having a baby, see your health care provider for a preconception checkup and talk about prescription or over-the-counter vitamins.
- Once you are pregnant, keep getting your folic acid by taking a prenatal vitamin every day containing 600 mcg.
- Iron, calcium, vitamin D, DHA and iodine have also been found to play a key role in a baby’s growth and development during pregnancy.
- Folic acid comes in different forms other than vitamins. Look for the words “fortified” or “enriched” on the package label of foods such as bread, breakfast cereal, flour, pasta, and products made from corn masa, and white rice.
- Don’t smoke or drink alcohol, and stay up-to-date on vaccines.
Please visit marchofdimes.org for the latest health information, resources and tools for moms and babies.
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