During pregnancy, meeting the needs of folic acid is very important to support the growth and development of the fetus. Folic acid has several benefits for pregnant women, from reducing the risk of miscarriage to preventing neural tube defects. Not only that, there are still many benefits of folic acid for pregnant women that you should know about.
Miscarriage and birth defects are a terrible scourge for pregnant women. However, Moms don’t need to worry too much, because we can prevent this by meeting the daily needs for folic acid. This is because there are various benefits of folic acid for pregnant women, including for the fetus in the womb.
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So that Moms don’t hesitate to consume foods that are sources of folic acid. Find out the various benefits of folic acid for the following pregnant women:
Folic Acid Can Prevent Anemia
During pregnancy, pregnant women need more blood cells so that the nutritional needs of the fetus are met. If pregnant women lack red blood cells, they will be prone to anemia.
Anemia during pregnancy is not something to be taken lightly. This is because anemia in pregnant women can cause babies to be born prematurely, stunting, and even death.
Well, one of the benefits of folic acid for pregnant women is to increase the production of red blood cells. That way, Moms can avoid the dangers of anemia during pregnancy.
Formation Of The Placenta
Folic acid plays an important role in forming the fetal placenta in the womb. If the need for folic acid is fulfilled, the placenta will form properly. Thus, oxygen, blood flow, and nutrients can be distributed smoothly from the mother to the fetus in the womb.
Reducing The Risk Of Miscarriage
Furthermore, meeting the need for folic acid for pregnant women also plays a role in preventing miscarriage. This is because low levels of folic acid can increase the abnormal arrangement of fetal chromosomes.
As a result, the growth and development of the fetus are disrupted, and it is prone to miscarriage. By consuming food sources of folic acid, you can strengthen your pregnancy to avoid miscarriage.
Prevent Congenital Heart Disease
Consuming folic acid during pregnancy can reduce the risk of congenital heart disease in the fetus. This is because folic acid can prevent the closing of the fetal heart valves, as well as blood clots in the heart.
For this reason, it is recommended for Moms who are undergoing a pregnancy program, meets daily folic acid needs from three months before pregnancy.
Prevent Birth Defects
Meeting the daily need for folic acid can also prevent neural tube defects at birth. Anencephaly is a baby born without a brain or skull. Meanwhile, spina bifida is a disorder of the baby’s spine.
Folic acid plays an important role in helping the growth and development of the fetal brain in the womb so that it is more perfect and avoids birth defects. In fact, research has found that taking folic acid from the start of pregnancy can prevent tube defects by up to 70%!
Those are some of the benefits of folic acid for pregnant women. To prevent bad things for their future baby, Moms must meet the needs for folic acid. Whether it’s by consuming food sources of folic acid, as well as supplements containing acid.