Women should take folic acid tablets even if not conceiving

Even women who are not trying to have a baby should take folic acid tablets daily as 50% of pregnancies are unplanned, according to experts at Safefood.

Safefood is calling for a change in behaviour, because while 95% of women know of the benefits of folic acid, just one in three are taking it before pregnancy.

Folic acid can prevent up to 70% of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, if taken before, and during, pregnancy.

Safefood’s human health and nutrition director, Cliodhna Foley-Nolan, said women in the relevant age group should take it, even if they are not planning a pregnancy.

“One reason why women are hesitant about taking folic acid is because it indicates they are actively trying to get pregnant,” she said.

“This mindset needs to change, with over 50% of pregnancies unplanned, but most of these are ‘happy accidents’. Folic acid is widely available, cheap, and a year’s supply can cost less than a single takeaway coffee.”

Up to 236 babies with a neural tube defect (NTD), such as spina bifida, were born in this country between 2009 and 2011, a significant increase on the previous decade, when NTD incidence was lower.

Research, published earlier this year, showed that that three out of four women who attend for antenatal care have not taken folic acid supplements before they become pregnant. According to doctors, this is the crucial period to prevent neural tube defects.

“For a healthy mum and baby, we simply can’t get enough folic acid from our food alone, even with fortified foods — taking a daily folic acid supplement of 400mcg is the only way to go,” said Dr Foley-Nolan.