NHS urges pregnant women to take key vitamin to help baby

NHS urges pregnant women to take key vitamin to help babyWomen looking to get pregnant may also want to consider taking itCommentsNewsSophie Buchan Money and Lifestyle Writer04:07, 19 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesPeople who are trying to get pregnant may also want to consider taking it(Image: Getty)If you want to conceive or are currently pregnant, you may benefit from a key vitamin. That's according to the NHS.‌The National Health Service (NHS) states that folic acid is a synthetic form of folate, a vitamin also known as vitamin B9. Folate supports the production of healthy red blood cells and naturally occurs in a variety of foods, such as broccoli.‌People take the vitamin for a number of reasons, including pregnancy. The health service states: "It's recommended you take folic acid as soon as you start trying for a baby (ideally for 3 months before) and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. This will help your baby's brain and spine to develop normally."‌Pregnant women can also "take folic acid after 12 weeks." It notes that the vitamin helps to produce red blood cells. "Your doctor or midwife may recommend that you keep taking folic acid throughout pregnancy if you are anaemic or at risk of anaemia", it adds.How much folic acid should I take?The amount of folic acid you need and how long you take it for will depend on the reason it has been prescribed. Always ask your doctor for advice before taking any new medication, vitamins, or supplements.The usual recommended dose is 400 micrograms per day. However, your doctor may suggest a higher dose, typically 5 mg, if there is an increased risk of having a baby with a neural tube defect, such as a condition affecting the brain or spine like spina bifida.‌View 3 ImagesCertain vitamins could help the bab's spine and brain to develop(Image: Getty)Your chance of having a baby with a neural tube defect may be higher if:You have previously had a pregnancy affected by a neural tube...