Why do I need to take a multivitamin with folic acid in it before pregnancy?

Taking a multivitamin with folic acid in it every day before pregnancy can help to lower the risk of having a baby born with a neural tube defect (NTD).

Folic acid is most important to the development of a baby in the early weeks of pregnancy. At this early stage, many people don’t know that they are pregnant. Starting your multivitamin at least 3 months prior to trying to have a baby helps to make sure that you have enough folic acid in the early weeks of pregnancy.

Taking a multivitamin that contains 0.4 mg (400 mcg) of folic acid in it is recommended instead of taking folic acid as a single supplement.