It's important to take a 400 micrograms folic acid tablet every day before you're pregnant and until you're 12 weeks pregnant.
Folic acid can help prevent birth defects known as neural tube defects, including spina bifida (opens in a new tab).
If you did not take folic acid before you conceived, you should start as soon as you find out you're pregnant.
Try to eat green leafy vegetables which contain folate (the natural form of folic acid) and breakfast cereals and fat spreads with folic acid added to them.
It's difficult to get the amount of folate recommended for a healthy pregnancy from food alone, which is why it's important to take a folic acid supplement.
Higher-dose folic acid
If you have a higher chance of your pregnancy being affected by neural tube defects, you will be advised to take a higher dose of folic acid (5 milligrams). You will be advised to take this each day until you're 12 weeks pregnant.
You may have a higher chance if:
- you or the baby's biological father have a neural tube defect
- you or the baby's biological father have a family history of neural tube defects
- you have had a previous pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect
- you have diabetes (opens in a new tab)
- you take anti-epilepsy medicine
- you take anti-retroviral medicine for HIV
If any of this applies to you, talk to a GP. They can prescribe a higher dose of folic acid.
A GP or midwife may also recommend additional screening tests during your pregnancy.
Find out about epilepsy and pregnancy (opens in a new tab)
