The browser you are using is too old for our website. Please visit www.aptaclub.co.uk from Chrome and you will be able to browse normally.

Conception

      Folic acid when trying to conceive

      Green leaves

      Folic acid when trying to conceive

      Your pregnancy superhero

      Facts about folic acid

      Folic acid is known to help reduce the risks of neural tube defects, and aid the production of red blood cells. Discover more about this pregnancy superhero and why you should start taking it prior to conception.

      careline-icon.png

      Expert advice

      Get the support you need, the moment you need it

      Join now for FREE

      Does folic acid help you get pregnant?

      Many mums wonder whether folic acid will help them get pregnant. While folic acid will not help you to conceive, it is widely accepted that folic acid is vital for supporting healthy neural tube development in the very early stages of pregnancy. For this reason, it's considered an essential supplement for every woman’s conception and pregnancy routine4.

      Why folic acid is so important in the early days

      In the first month of life an embryo’s neural tube, or spine and nervous system, is already beginning to develop1. This means there's a need to protect them against neural tube defects – before you even realise you are pregnant.

      Taking folic acid prior to conception and during pregnancy can prevent around 7 out of 10 cases of neural tube defects.1

      Studies show that taking folic acid during this time can enhance neural tube development into the brain. It can also help reduce the risk of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida (also known as split spine)1.

      What is spina bifida?

      Spina bifida occurs when the spine and spinal cord do not develop properly, leaving a gap in the spine. As the spinal cord connects the entire body to the brain, it can lead to a wide range of symptoms1.

      Problems with neural tube development can also affect brain development.

      The exact causes of spina bifida are not fully understood, but a low intake of folic acid before becoming pregnant, family history, some types of medication, diabetes, and obesity are thought to contribute2.

      What are the possible effects?

      The symptoms of spina bifida include:

      Cognitive problems – including a short attention span, difficulty solving problems, and difficulty with hand–eye coordination, such as tying shoelaces.

      Mobility issues – damage to the brain may lead to some mobility problems with most spina bifida sufferers needing to use a mobility aid or even a wheelchair.

      Bladder and bowel problems – bowel and urinary incontinence can occur if the nerves running from the brain to the bladder through the spinal cord are damaged.

      Taking the right amount of folic acid at the right time

      To help reduce the risk of neural tube defects, you are advised to take 400 micrograms (0.4mg) of folic acid per day. Ideally this should start as soon as you stop using contraception, and continue until the 12th week of pregnancy. Alternatively, start taking it as soon as you know you're pregnant – you can still positively influence your baby’s development.

      400mcg (0.4mg) of folic acid per day is recommended, before conception and for the first trimester.

      However, based on the outcome of a recent study, you may consider taking folic acid for much longer than this. The study looked at the effect folic acid had on having a preterm baby, and revealed a significant decrease in preterm delivery in women who took the supplement for a year before conceiving3.

      Mums who might need an extra boost

      In some cases your HCP will advise you to take a higher dose of folic acid at 5mg4. This is usually because:

      • You have had a previously affected pregnancy
      • You or a family member have a spinal cord defect
      • You're taking medication for epilepsy
      • You're obese with a BMI over 30
      • You have coeliac disease, diabetes, sickle cell anaemia, or thalassaemia3
      The Gift Pregnancy Test

      The gift of  future health

      Learn more

      1. NHS UK. Spina bifida [Online]. Available at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/Spina-bifida/Pages/Introduction.aspx[Accessed May 2014]

      2. NHS UK. Causes of spina bifida [Online]. Available at: www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Spina-bifida/Pages/Causes.aspx [Accessed May 2014]

      3. Patient UK. Diet and lifestyle during pregnancy [Online]. Available at: http://patient.info/health/diet-and-lifestyle-during-pregnancy [Accessed May 2014]

      4. NHS UK. Vitamin and nutrition in pregnancy [Online]. Available at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/vitamins-minerals-supplements-pregnant.aspx [Accessed July 2014]

      Last reviewed: 4th July 2016

      Your baby's future health begins here

      Your baby's future health begins here

      At Aptaclub, we believe that experience helps to build resilience; that each new encounter, whether in pregnancy or after birth, can shape your baby’s future development. With our scientific expertise and one-to-one round the clock support, we can help you and your baby embrace tomorrow.

      Join Aptaclub

      Related articles

      Get in touch with our Careline experts

      Our midwives, nutritionists and feeding advisors are always on hand to talk about feeding your baby. Need instant assistance? Our WhatsApp Customer Support team is here to help on-the-go!

      Expert advice

      Get the support you need, the moment you need it

      Join now for FREE

      Your privacy is important to us and therefore we would like to explain how we use cookies on this website. With your consent, we will use cookies to measure and analyse how our website is used (analytical cookies), to tailor it to your interests (personalisation cookies), and to show you relevant advertising and information (targeting cookies) we think you will like. For more information please read the cookie statement.

      Privacy Settings

      You can choose your preferences anytime for cookies and tracking. For more information please read our cookie policy.

      • Strictly necessary

        They are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services (setting your privacy preferences, logging in, filling in forms, etc.). You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work.

      • Analytical cookies

        They allow us to count visits and traffic sources, to measure and improve the performance of our site. They show us which pages are the most and least popular and how visitors move around the site. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.

      • Personalisation cookies

        They enable website’s enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third parties whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, some or all of these services may not function properly.

      • Targeting cookies

        They may be set through our site by our advertising partners, to build a profile of your interests and to show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.