Folic Acid and Spina Bifida

Folic Acid and Spina Bifida
Date of Publication: Reprinted August 2001

Advice on how folic acid intake is a recommended part of planning for pregnancy, to protect the unborn child from spina bifida or related birth defects.

Planning for Pregnancy - Folic Acid & Spina Bifida

A pregnant woman has a small chance of bearing a child with spina bifida or a related birth defect.

Spina bifida can cause permanent difficulty with walking and with bladder and bowel control.

Women can considerably reduce, though not entirely eliminate, that chance by taking the vitamin folic acid. There is a recommended registered folic acid tablet available from pharmacies. These tablets contain 0.8mg folic acid.

Women are advised to take one tablet daily for four weeks before they might become pregnant through to 12 weeks after actually becoming pregnant. The use of multivitamins at the time of becoming pregnant is not advised.

Important foods containing folic acid

Important foods containing folic acid are:

Well-washed, fresh, raw or lightly cooked vegetables, raw fruit including tomatoes, as well as breads, cereals, dried beans and peas.
Diet alone does not provide sufficient folic acid. Women are advised to take daily folic acid by tablet.
If you want further information, contact a health professional such as your doctor, midwife, dietitian, nurse or pharmacist.

Document availability

You can download this pamphlet in PDF format from the Ministry of Health's Health Education website.

Folic acid and Spina Bifida (www.healthed.govt.nz)

Related Information

Folate

Maternity

Congenital Conditions

Eating for Healthy Pregnant Women