Folic Acid may prevent premature births
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Topic: Folic Acid may prevent premature births
Posted By: Maya
Subject: Folic Acid may prevent premature births
Date Posted: 03 February 2008 at 1:25pm
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Women who take folic acid supplements for at least a year before becoming pregnant can greatly reduce their risk of delivering a baby prematurely, American researchers say.
Folic acid, a B vitamin, is already known to prevent major birth defects involving a baby's brain or spine. This study shows it may provide another benefit - cutting down on premature births in which babies have less time to develop in the womb and are more likely to experience serious medical problems. The study tracked about 35,000 pregnant women between 1999 and 2002 who disclosed their folic acid intake. It found that women who took folic acid supplements for at least a year before pregnancy cut their chances for very early pre-term births - 20 to 28 weeks into the pregnancy - by 70 per cent. Women taking folic acid for at least a year before getting pregnant saw their risk fall by about 50 per cent for births 28 to 32 weeks into the pregnancy. Most pregnancies take about 40 weeks. A premature birth is one that occurs more than three weeks before the due date. "We have an exciting and promising potential prevention method for pre-term birth," said Dr Radek Bukowski of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, who led the study. "It's exciting not the least because it's a simple thing that's easy to be implemented, and it has a powerful effect." The findings were presented at a meeting of the Society for Maternal-Foetal Medicine in Dallas. Folic acid helps the body make healthy new cells. It is important for women to get enough of it before and during a pregnancy to prevent major birth defects including spina bifida and anencephaly, experts say. Leafy green vegetables, fruits, dried beans, peas and nuts are some of the foods that contain folic acid. Folic acid can be taken as a dietary supplement as in a multivitamin. Taking it for less than a year before pregnancy provided lesser protection from pre-term births, Bukowski said. The March of Dimes, an advocacy group that works to prevent birth defects, premature births and infant mortality, called the findings important. Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=1500859&objectid=10489925&ref=rss - http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=1500859&objectid=10489925&ref=rss -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Replies:
Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 03 February 2008 at 2:59pm
So does that mean those of us who had the child hauled from them kicking and screaming at 11 days past were a little TOO diligent with the folic acid!? 
Seriously though...reinforces why it is good to keep on the stuff!! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Mummy2three
Date Posted: 03 February 2008 at 4:08pm
Thats good to know 
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Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 03 February 2008 at 4:28pm
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Well maybe I should be getting some from my dr very soon then and add it too the list of things i'm taking. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 03 February 2008 at 4:45pm
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I eat marmite which is got lots of folic acid, maybe I should get on to it now, as we'll be TTC in 12 months time.
Probably be easier and cheaper to increase my intake of foods with it. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">   [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 03 February 2008 at 7:14pm
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It's interesting to think that something so simple might make such a huge difference, but then how much of it comes down to antenatal care? Women who have poor or no antenatal care have a higher rate of premature delivery and it's pretty safe to assume they weren't taking folic either. So how to you determine which cause is responsible? ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: meow
Date Posted: 03 February 2008 at 7:20pm
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But who takes folic acid for a year pre-pregnancy though?
Most doctors recommend a month before. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 03 February 2008 at 7:40pm
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I guess if the study bears weight the WHO will look at changing it's current recommendation of 3 months preconception to twelve months. That does require a lot of planning tho! ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 03 February 2008 at 7:46pm
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That would be a lot of planning! But most women's multi's have some folic acid in them if not the full amount recommended for TTC and pregnancy so I wonder if even the lesser amount would make a difference? ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: KH25
Date Posted: 03 February 2008 at 8:32pm
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I read this article on Friday. Think I may go buy some this week!! ------------- Kelly, mum to DD, 19Jun06 (26wks 1lb15oz) DS1, 24Oct10 (32wks 4lb11oz) and DS2, 31Dec11 (32wks, 4lb11) http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: yummymummy
Date Posted: 03 February 2008 at 9:19pm
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Wish I had know this before now! Oh well... ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: meow
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 2:57pm
Yeah, and esp for the women who have trouble conceiving, they could be on it for years! I guess if it does no harm taking it all the time, then it's a good thing  ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Maya wrote: