Get the "B" Attitude

That's "B" for the B vitamin folic acid.
Get the attitude by taking it every day.  Folic acid may help save your baby from birth defects of the brain and spinal cord.  But you have to take it every day before you get pregnant and in the first few weeks of your pregnancy for it help.

Why do you need it?
A baby needs folic acid right after it's conceived before you even know you're pregnant.  Folic acid helps the baby's brain and spinal cord develop properly.  Without enough, the baby could have serious birth defects called neural tube defects.

What are neural tube defects?
About 2,500 babies are born with neural tube defects each year.  They include spina bifida, which could mean the baby will never be able to walk; and anencephaly, which means the baby's brain and skull don't develop fully and the baby dies.

Research shows that, if all women in the United States took enough folic acid every day throughout their childbearing years, up to 70 percent of these birth defects could be prevented.  The key is to take folic acid before getting pregnant.

Both of you need it.
Folic acid's good for your health, too.  Some studies suggest it may help fight heart disease, and colon and cervical cancers.

Best ways to get it?
You need to get 400 micrograms (0.4 milligrams)* of folic acid every day.  The best way to get it is to take a multivitamin every day and eat a healthy diet.  Foods rich in folic acid include fortified breakfast cereals, orange juice and leafy green vegetables.

Begin right now.
Because folic acid is so important, you should begin taking it right away.  If you need help remembering to take a vitamin every day, try to connect it with something you already do each day.  Start taking your multivitamin at the same time as you:
bulletbrush your teeth
bulletput on your perfume
bulletfeed the cat
bulletmake coffee
bulletput in or take out your contacts
bulletdrink your orange juice
bulleteat lunch
bulletlisten to the news.

It won't be long before you don't even have to think about it anymore.

*Because some women may need more folic acid, the March of Dimes recommends that all women see their doctors before pregnancy.  If you have diabetes, epilepsy or a family history of neural tube defects, talk to your doctor about folic acid before you plan for your next baby.

Questions????

Call: 888-MODIMES

Visit: www.modimes.org

* This information is not a substitute for professional medical care.  Diagnosis and treatment should be done only by your health care provider. For more information contact your local health department or physician.