“How long should you take folic acid before trying to conceive?”
I am a 27 year old female. I want to get pregnant and am taking folic acid. How long should you take folic acid before trying to conceive?
5 Answers
Take for 3 months.
I generally recommend starting folic acid about a month before trying to conceive. You want to make sure the extra folic acid is in your system the second you get pregnant.
Ideally, 1000mg of folic acid should be taken daily for 3 months prior to conception. This greatly decreases the risk of neural tube defects (incomplete spine development).
Doug Young, MD
Doug Young, MD
It is best to take folic acid 0.4 mg for at least 3 months before becoming pregnant.
Continuously until you conceive.
