Folate – a vital micronutrient in preconception and pregnancy: Why everyone needs it, but expectant mothers must prioritize it
Emilia Szymańska
2026-03-18
3 min. read
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What scientifically validated facts underlie folic acid’s importance? While its functions extend across all demographics—from facilitating DNA synthesis to modulating homocysteine levels—its adequate concentration becomes a matter of paramount concern for women planning conception and throughout pregnancy. Persistent deficiency of vitamin B9 during this critical window may result in irreversible fetal developmental disorders, including severe neural tube defects. Health authorities emphasize that supplementation should commence well before conception occurs.
What is folic acid?
Folic acid, or vitamin B9, M, folate, or folic acid is an organic compound (or rather a group of compounds). The name comes from the Latin word folium meaning leaf. This substance is yellow in color, dissolves in water, and is also destroyed by high temperature, sunlight or inappropriate pH. Under the influence of long storage, it is oxidized.
Folic acid Dose and overdose
Recent studies show that most of us are deficient in folic acid. Since folic acids are an important part of the diet, especially for women who are planning to get pregnant, Folic acid supplementation is recommended for all women of reproductive age at a dose of 0.4 mg/ day. This also applies to women who have already become pregnant. Pregnant women should take 0.41 mg of folic Acid per day for 4 weeks before their planned conception.
Folic acid before pregnancy
As we mentioned earlier, prevention is very important. A lot of pregnancy is unplanned, a woman usually learns about it at 46 weeks of pregnancy, and then it may be too late to prevent it (a stroke may have already occurred). A nerve cell is a link of the entire nervous system. It takes the form of a long tube and forms at 24 weeks of gestation and then closes to become a spinal cord and brain. That's why it's so important to supplement folic acid before you have it, and the safest for women during the entire reproductive period.
Folic acid in pregnancy
Folic acid supplements should be maintained at least until the end of the 3rd month of pregnancy. Folic acids not only help in the proper development of the unborn baby, but also have a beneficial effect on the body of the future mother. This compound helps pregnant women avoid anemia by stimulating the production of red blood cells. During pregnancy, the need for this rich vitamin increases by up to four times.
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