Folic Acid Awareness Week Brought to you by CuddleBugs at Bayfront Health Port Charlotte (formerly Peace River Regional Medical Center)

A healthy New Year’s resolution …

Did you make a New Year’s resolution? Here’s an idea for an important — and easy — resolution that’s good for both you and your developing baby: Get enough folic acid. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends women take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily, beginning at least a month before getting pregnant, to help prevent birth defects of the brain and spine.

In recognition of Folic Acid Awareness Week, which runs from Jan. 5-11, CuddleBugs at Bayfront Health Port Charlotte (formerly Peace River Regional Medical Center) would like to share some facts about folic acid and why it’s so important for you and your baby.

Why is folic acid important?

Folic acid is a B vitamin involved in making new cells throughout the body, including the new cells in a developing baby. It’s important for women to have an adequate intake of folic acid before becoming pregnant to help prevent birth defects in the baby’s brain and spine, such as anencephaly and spina bifida, also known as neural tube defects. According to the CDC, folic acid has been shown to reduce the risk of these conditions by up to 70 percent.

Supplement for good health

Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate, which occurs naturally in foods such as leafy green vegetables, beans, liver, and some fruit. Folate is easily destroyed through cooking, and folic acid is more readily utilized by the body than folate. And, although many grain and cereal products are fortified with folic acid, it’s difficult to get enough of the nutrient from diet alone. That’s why it’s so important to take a multivitamin or a supplement every day that contains 400 mcg of folic acid.

“Neural tube defects occur in the first three to four weeks of pregnancy, usually before a woman knows she's pregnant,” said Dr. Aimee Young, board-certified OB/GYN of Comprehensive Women’s Health Care.  “The best way to prevent defects from happening is to begin taking 400 mcg of folic acid daily at least a month before becoming pregnant and throughout the pregnancy. Either a multivitamin or supplement will suffice, as long as it contains the recommended daily amount.”

Whether you’re currently pregnant or are planning for the near future, put folic acid on your shopping list and begin taking it daily — now that’s a healthful New Year’s resolution that’s easy to keep. And, in honor of Folic Acid Awareness Week, spread the word: If you know someone who’s planning to become pregnant, let her know why folic acid is important.

About Bayfront Health Port Charlotte                                                         

Bayfront Health Port Charlotte (formerly Peace River Regional Medical Center) is a 254-bed Joint Commission Accredited full service hospital that is more than a provider of medical excellence; it is where people come to be cared for and cared about.  With expert physicians and staff in cardiovascular services, orthopedics and spine, emergency care, and women’s services and through strategic partnerships with All Children’s Specialists-Johns Hopkins Medicine, Florida Advanced Cardiothoracic (FACT) Surgery, and now Bayfront Health, we are united to bring state-of-the-art care to Florida's Gulf communities.  To learn more, visit: www.BayfrontPortCharlotte.com.

About Aimee Young, MD

Dr. Aimee Young specializes in prenatal care, labor and delivery, post partum, high risk pregnancies and gynecological care.  For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 941-766-0400 for Port Charlotte, and 941-423-5035 for North Port, or visit www.comprehensive-womenshealthcare.com.

About CuddleBugs

CuddleBugs is a free program designed to provide answers to new and expectant moms from the earliest stages of pregnancy through post-delivery – including guidance for newborn care. For more information about CuddleBugs, visit www.CuddleBugsBaby.com.

Remember that this information is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor, but rather to increase awareness and help equip patients with information and facilitate conversations with your physician that will benefit your health.

Steps for a healthy pregnancy

In addition to getting 400 mcg of folic acid every day, there are some other steps women can take for a healthy pregnancy:

• Don’t drink or smoke during pregnancy.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Talk to your doctor about any medications you’re taking to assure they’re safe for your baby.
• Prevent infections by washing your hands often, handling and cooking food properly, and avoiding sharing food or utensils with young children. For more tips to avoid infection, visit www.cdc.gov/pregnancy/infections.html.
• Talk to your doctor before getting any vaccinations or shots to make sure they’re safe during pregnancy.
• If you have diabetes, control it properly.
• See a health professional regularly.

By practicing these healthful behaviors, you can help promote the health of you and your baby.