Folic acid before and during pregnancy

You should take a 400 micrograms folic acid tablet every day before you're pregnant and until you're 12 weeks pregnant.

Folic acid can help prevent birth defects known as neural tube defects, including spina bifida .

If you did not take folic acid before you conceived, you should start as soon as you find out you're pregnant.

You should also eat foods that contain folate (the natural form of folic acid), such as green leafy vegetables.

Some breakfast cereals and some fat spreads, such as margarine, may have folic acid added to them.

It's difficult to get the amount of folate recommended for a healthy pregnancy from food alone, which is why it's important to take a folic acid supplement.