Do I need to take folic acid supplements during late pregnancy?

Most women start taking folic acid supplements after they find out they are pregnant. Folic acid is very helpful for the health of the fetus. In fact, the best time to supplement folic acid is during the first three months of pregnancy. At this time, because the fetus has not yet fully developed, timely folic acid supplementation can reduce the possibility of fetal nervous system lesions. So, is it necessary to supplement folic acid in the later stages of pregnancy?

Why take folic acid supplement?

Folic acid is a water-soluble B vitamin. Pregnant women need four times more folic acid than normal people. The early pregnancy is a critical period for the differentiation of fetal organ systems and the formation of the placenta, and cell growth and division are very active. Folic acid deficiency at this time can lead to fetal malformations. For example, neural tube defects, which occur at an incidence rate of about 3.8‰ in my country, include anencephaly and spina bifida. It can also cause early spontaneous abortion.

When is the best time to take folic acid tablets?

Women should start taking folic acid supplements when they are planning to become pregnant. It is generally best to start taking folic acid at least one month before planning to become pregnant and continue taking it until you are 3 months pregnant.

Do I need to supplement folic acid during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy?

In the second and third trimesters, in addition to the growth and development of the fetus, the development of the mother's blood volume, breasts, and placenta greatly increases the pregnant woman's need for folic acid. If folic acid is insufficient, pregnant women are prone to placental abruption, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and megaloblastic anemia. The fetus is prone to intrauterine growth retardation, premature birth, and low birth weight, and the growth and intellectual development of the fetus after birth will be affected.

When is the best time to take folic acid tablets? Experts recommend that women of childbearing age should consume no less than 400 micrograms of folic acid per day, and women planning pregnancy or breastfeeding should consume no less than 600 micrograms of folic acid per day. Folic acid supplementation should be started 3 months before planning for pregnancy and continued until the 3rd month of pregnancy.

Therefore, when women are in the late stages of pregnancy, since the fetus has already developed and formed, there is no need to continue taking folic acid. Instead, they can eat a balanced diet and try to get some nutrients needed for fetal development and daily life of pregnant women from food to ensure the normal development of the fetus. In the late stages of pregnancy, try to do some exercise within your ability, which will be helpful for natural childbirth.