Folic acid and pregnancy
Folic acid
All people who could become pregnant, including those taking contraception, should take a 400 microgram supplement of folic acid every day.
If you have a chronic medical condition such as diabetes, are overweight or have a history of neural tube defects (NTDs) in your family or your partners, we suggest you speak to a medical professional for more advice. You may need to take a higher dose.
All adults need 200 micrograms of folic acid a day. We can get this from foods like:
- green leafy vegetables including spinach, kale, broccoli and cabbage
- peas, beans and lentils including chickpeas and kidney beans
- wholegrains including wheat bran, wholegrain rice and oats
- foods fortified with folic acid
It isn’t possible for people who could become pregnant to get an extra 400 micrograms from their diet, so they need a supplement.
Folic acid is a B vitamin. It helps the body to make red blood cells and DNA. Taking folic acid can help prevent certain birth defects of the brain and spinal cord, known as NTDs. One third of women are not getting enough folic acid to protect against NTDs.
For further information see the HSE website:
