What is the role of folic acid during pregnancy?

Prevent defects: Folic acid is a b vitamin. It helps prevent babies from getting neural tube defects (like spina bifida). Ideally it should be started before you start trying to get pregnant because the baby's spinal cord forms before you even miss a period. Folic acid also helps in the production of red blood cells.

Numerous: Taking Folic Acid before getting pregnant & just after pregnancy is as important as maintaining it's use right through 9 months and on into breastfeeding. Folate (folic acid) protects or reduces the chance of many congenital malformations including spina bifida, congenital heart defects, cleft lips, limb defects, & urinary tract abnormalities. May reduce miscarriage and early delivery, placenta changes too.

Prevention: Folic acid, AKA folate (folic acid) (vit B9), is recommended for all women wanting to get pregnant -- 0.4mg (400mcg) daily, which is important for preventing birth defects like spina bifida. Women w/ a hx these disorders should take 10x that amt daily -- 4mg (4000mcg) through the 3rd month of pregnancy. It won't affect fertility, chances of conception/twins, or periods. Can help with anemia.