To maintain good body health and fetal development, pregnant women need to ensure their nutritional needs are well met. Folic acid for pregnant women must be fulfilled well and is very important to consume before and during pregnancy because it helps prevent birth defects in the baby's brain and nerves.
Folic acid is a type of B vitamin that is useful for maintaining fetal health. Pregnant women who lack folic acid can cause symptoms such as weakness, diarrhea and sore tongue.
Benefits of Folic Acid for Pregnant Women
The need for folic acid in each person varies depending on the condition of the body. As in pregnant women who need more folic acid than normal people as much as 600 micrograms (mcg) per day. normally, everyone only needs folic acid around 400 mcg per day. . Here are the benefits of folic acid for pregnant women that must be known:
1. Prevent neural tube defects in the fetus
The step to help the baby's neural tube develop properly and prevent the baby from neural tube defects is to fulfill the need for folic acid. The types of neural tube defects that commonly affect babies in the womb are anencephaly and spina bifida. In addition, the benefits of folic acid for pregnant women can prevent congenital heart disease and cleft lip in infants.
2. Prevent miscarriage
Miscarriage is very prone to occur in pregnancies that are still relatively young, namely 20 weeks of age. Preventing miscarriage during pregnancy can be done by fulfilling the daily intake of folic acid. Even before or during pregnancy preparation can consume folic acid. Folic acid in pregnant women can also reduce the risk of pregnancy disorders such as prematurity and fetal growth disorders.
3. Prevent anemia
One of the health problems often experienced by pregnant women is anemia or lack of blood. Untreated anemia in pregnant women can cause pregnancy complications that threaten the life of both mother and baby. That is why pregnant women need to meet the needs of folic acid and iron during pregnancy.
4. Forms the placenta
The next benefit of folic acid for pregnant women is to help the formation of an optimal placenta. The placenta has an important role in pregnancy, namely making the flow of blood, oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the fetus smooth. If the placenta is disrupted, the important intake for the fetus is not delivered properly and can inhibit the growth and development of the baby in the womb.
5. Lowers the risk of preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is a complication condition during pregnancy that is characterized by increased blood pressure, swelling in parts of the pregnant woman's body such as the legs, and increased protein content in the urine. Preeclampsia is very dangerous for the health of pregnant women and babies. By eating foods that contain folic acid for pregnant women, it can reduce the risk of preeclampsia.
6. Lower the risk of congenital heart disease in the fetus
As mentioned earlier, consuming folic acid for pregnant women can help reduce the risk of congenital heart disease in the fetus. Taking folic acid for pregnant women in the 1st trimester or early in pregnancy can prevent congenital heart disease.
Fulfill Folic Acid Intake
Folic acid intake can be obtained from anywhere, from food to supplements. Folic acid for pregnant women is recommended to come from nutritious foods. To meet the needs of folic acid, pregnant women can make a daily food menu that contains high folic acid. here are recommendations for foods that are high in folic acid to meet folate intake for pregnant women:
- Green vegetables, such as kale, spinach, and celery.
- Legumes, such as lentils, peas, and peanuts.
- Fruits, such as papaya, grapes, oranges, and avocado.
- Beef liver.
- Eggs.
- Asparagus.
Apart from nutritious foods, pregnant women can also fulfill their folic acid intake by taking supplements recommended by an obstetrician. The doctor will provide the type and dose according to the condition of the pregnancy so that it is safe to consume. Those are the benefits of folic acid for pregnant women and to ensure that folic acid intake is met or not during pregnancy, you must check your pregnancy. (Aq / MKK)
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