Folic acid: I've heard a lot about the benefits of taking folic acid before you start trying to conceive. How much do I need to take and how soon do I need to start taking it?
Most preconception health authorities recommend that women who are planning a pregnancy take 0.4 mg of folic acid daily for two to three months before becoming pregnant and for the first four weeks after conception. Other health authorities take things one step further, recommending that a woman take folic acid throughout her childbearing years, whether or not she is consciously planning a pregnancy
Note: If you have a family history of neural tube defects, you've previously given birth to a baby with a neural tube defect, or you are taking certain medications to control diabetes or epilepsy, you will require a higher-than-average dosage of folic acid. Your doctor or midwife will be able to make specific recommendations, based on your medical history.
A generation ago, your doctor would have thought you were crazy for trying to set up a checkup before you were pregnant. Today, it's fast becoming the norm. The reason is obvious: the most critical period in your baby's development occurs before you even know that you're pregnant.
In addition to having a full physical examination, you'll want to find out from your doctor:
- Whether your immunizations are up to date (it's particularly important to ensure that you're immune to both rubella and chickenpox).
- Whether any pre-existing health conditions (e.g. diabetes or high blood pressure) are likely to have an impact on your pregnancy and, if so, what can be done to manage these conditions.
- Whether your gynecological or obstetrical history puts you at risk of experiencing any fertility or pregnancy-related complications.
- Whether it's safe for you to continue taking any prescription or over-the-counter drug products that you're currently using, or whether it would be best for you to switch to a more baby-friendly medication once you start trying to conceive. Whether it's safe for you to continue using certain types of herbal products while you're trying to conceive.
- Whether your doctor recommends that you and your partner make any other lifestyle changes before the two of you start trying to conceive (e.g. quit smoking, stop drinking, limit your caffeine intake, seek job reassignment if you work with hazardous substances, etc.) Whether you and your partner are good candidates for genetic counseling.
