Folic Acid For Pregnancy

Folic Acid Secrets Every New Mom Must Know & 5 Top Brands

Your body is the home of the future. Nourish it well.
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The pregnancy journey starts long before those two cute little pink lines. Being a beautiful journey, it comes with its hurdles and a mountain of responsibilities. Among other nutrients, folic acid plays a crucial role in the overall health of your baby. Are you confused about folate and folic acid? We have got your back, Mom!

This blog will help you understand when you should start taking folic acid tablets for pregnancy. We will also offer you a 2025 guide to the top 5 folic acid pills, which you can choose from to support your pregnancy. Let’s jump into it.

What Is Folic Acid and Why Is It Crucial?

Let’s start with the basics, first with understanding folic acid. It is a synthetic form of B Vitamin, and it plays a crucial role in DNA synthesis and cell division. During pregnancy, your body’s nutritional demands skyrocket because your baby’s neural tube is developing.

Folic acid tablets for pregnancy cannot be taken for granted. It helps prevent the development of neural tube defects (NTDs), a serious birth defect that affects the brain and spine of your baby.

NTDs occur at a very early stage in pregnancy, even before a woman knows that she is expecting, making preconception pregnancy supplements vital.

When To Start Taking Folic Acid?

Most healthcare providers recommend starting folic acid pills at least 2-3 months before conception and continuing them throughout your pregnancy. However, since most pregnancies are unplanned, doctors suggest starting folic acid pills as soon as you find out about your pregnancy.

  • Pre-conception: Start taking 400-800 mcg daily at least one month before trying to conceive.
  • First trimester: Continue with the same dosage throughout the first 12 weeks.
  • Throughout pregnancy: Many women continue taking folic acid as part of their prenatal vitamin regimen.

Benefits Of Folic Acid Pills (Beyond Just the Baby)

  • Reduces the risk of preterm birth and miscarriage.
  • Lowers the risk of cleft palate/lip and certain heart defects.
  • Supports red blood cell formation and prevents iron deficiency anaemia, especially with iron and folic acid tablets.
  • Helps the body fight fatigue and boost energy, crucial in pregnancy.
  • Lowers the risk of pre-eclampsia, stroke, and certain cancers in mothers.

Top 5 Folic Acid Tablets for Your Pregnancy

1. Trimacare 1

Trimacare 1 is clinically formulated, India’s first trimester-specific pregnancy supplement. It is designed for the first trimester of the pregnancy (0-12 weeks), and contains L-methyl folate along with 20+ essential micronutrients, like DHA, iron, vitamin B-complex, vitamin D, etc.

2. Folvite 5 mg Tablet

This folic acid pill contains pure 5 mg folic acid. However, it does not include iron, DHA, or B12.

3. Autrin Capsule

It is a combination of ferrous fumarate (iron) and folic acid and is widely available. However, it may cause nausea or constipation, lacks DHA and B12, and is not specific for the different trimesters’ nutritional requirements.

4. Nutrifol Tablet

It is designed for pre- and post-conception for women. It contains folic acid, inositol, and other ingredients to boost fertility. However, it is not suitable as a complete pregnancy supplement and does not include DHA and iron.

5. Pregnacare Conception

It is an international brand for preconception and early pregnancy. The folic acid tablet contains folic acid, inositol, and antioxidants. However, it is created with international women in mind and does not cater to the specific requirements of Indian pregnant women.

Why Choose Trimacare Folic Acid?

Trimacare 1 stands tall as the best folic acid pregnancy supplement in the Indian market with its trimester-specific formulation. While other folic acid pills offer single-nutrient solutions, Trimacare provides complete nutrition with 20+ essential nutrients, such as L-methyl folate, omega-3 fatty acids (EPA: DHA), iron, iodine, zinc, calcium, B-complex vitamins, vitamin D, and more. Trimacare is clinically formulated and scientifically backed to ensure you and your baby receive all the essential nutrients during this critical journey.

Final Words

Pregnancy is an important phase of your life. Therefore, choosing the best folic acid supplement for pregnancy is essential. While other folic acid tablets help prevent NTDs and support your baby with folate. Trimacare is enriched with 20+ essential nutrients like L-methyl folate, calcium, vitamin B-complex, vitamin D, and more. With L-methyl folate (7 times more bioavailable than folic acid), Trimacare has changed the entire nutrition game for pregnancy.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much folic acid do I need during pregnancy?

According to the top healthcare providers and regulatory authorities, you should take around 400-800 mcg of folate or folic acid tablets daily. However, if you have a history of neural tube defects, your healthcare provider might suggest a slightly higher dosage.

2. Can I consume folic acid pills and iron tablets together?

Yes, you can consume iron and folic acid tablets together, and healthcare providers mostly prescribe them, making them safer to take. Also, studies have proven that taking iron and folic acid tablets together is beneficial, as both nutrients are pivotal for pregnancy.

3. What is the difference between folate and folic acid?

Folate and folic acid are both vitamin B9 that offer the same nutrition to your body. However, folic acid is the synthetic form of Vitamin B9, whereas folate is a natural form and thus has 7 times the bioavailability of folic acid.

4. When should I stop taking folic acid pills for pregnancy?

Most healthcare providers recommend continuing folic acid pills for pregnancy throughout your entire pregnancy, especially during the first trimester, to prevent neural tube defects (NTDs) like spina bifida.

5. Are the side effects of taking folic acid tablets possible?

Folic acid tablets are generally considered safe and rarely have minimal side effects. Some people may experience mild nausea, but this is one in a million cases.

6. Can I get enough folic acid from only food?

Food items contain natural folate, but it is hard to get adequate folic acid from food alone. Therefore, healthcare providers recommend taking folic acid tablets to meet the RDA of folic acid.

Consult your healthcare provider today and make an informed choice of L-methyl folate with Trimacare. Buy Now!

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Pallavi Aggarwal

A Certified Nutritionist with a rich healthcare background in health journalism, the author has immense experience in curating reader-friendly, engaging, and informative healthcare blogs to empower readers to make informed pregnancy-related decisions.