Taking folic acid can help reduce the chance of giving birth to a baby with spina bifida. Folic acid helps a woman’s body make cells and when she is pregnant, her body needs more folic acid so the baby can develop normally. Folic acid is found in juices, fruits and green vegetables. Cereal and bread now have folic acid added to them but it is still best to take a vitamin with 400 mcg of folic acid every day before you plan to get pregnant to make sure you are getting the right amount. This can reduce the risk of having a child with a neural tube defect by 70%.
If a woman has had a pregnancy affected by spina bifida or has spina bifida herself, she should take 4,000 mcg for one to three months prior to becoming pregnant. A doctor will need to prescribe this dose. It is best to schedule a visit with a qualified physician.