Folic acid requirements during pregnancy

Medical professionals recommend that women take a folic acid supplement in addition to eating a regular healthy diet both before and during pregnancy. Total recommended intake of folic acid is between 400 ug (0.4 mg) and 600 ug (0.6 mg) per day.¹ Women who follow these guidelines are less likely to have babies with certain birth defects, especially neural tube defects.

Women who have had a previous pregnancy with a neural tube defect have an increased need for folic acid, and experts recommend they take a higher dose—4000 mcg (4 mg)—during pregnancy.²

Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS	Last Updated: December 23, 2008
Medical Review:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Brian Leber, MDCM, FRCPC - Hematology
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