Having enough folic acid at the start of a pregnancy lowers the risk of certain birth defects. We were told by a doula to take this as soon as we started trying to get pregnant all the way through the first trimester.

Folate (vitamin B-9) is important in brain development, red blood cell formation, and for healthy cell growth and function. It's naturally present in many foods, and is also produced synthetically (in the better-absorbed form of folic acid) and added to foods and supplements. Our bodies cannot produce folate, so it's important that we get enough of it through diet and supplements.

The amount of folic acid suggested for people who are planning a pregnancy is 400 to 800 micrograms (mcg) per day. The typical amount of folic acid for an adult is 400 mcg per day. Most (if not all?) prenatals have folic acid.