Community post

It decreases the chances of Spina Bifida. But I take >400 because that is the RDI according to the American Pregnancy Association.

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/folicacid.html

I know I am six days late but I thought I would answer.

It's to reduce the risk that your baby will be born with a serious neural tube defect such as but not limited to Spina Bifida. Just 400mg a day can reduce the risk up to 70%.

Folic acid isn't something your body uses right away, it stores it and uses it as needed and both you and baby will need it and you don't want baby depleting your stores of folic acid. I take 1000mg as directed by my doctor. She said she feels more comfortable with 1000, just to be sure I'm storing enough up.

They recommend 3 months prior to pregnancy as that's a safe time range for you to store enough for both you and baby before it's needed.