National Center for Rare Diseases

I would like to have a baby, when should I take folic acid?

Women planning to have a baby, or not actively excluding this possibility, should take at least 0,4 mg per day of folic acid to reduce the risk of congenital diseases.
For those at risk (for example those who already had a baby with Spina Bifida, women suffering from intestinal malabsorption such as celiac disease, or those taking antiepileptic drugs, etc.) the recommended daily dose is 4-5 mg. It is important to start taking folic acid one month before the conception and carry on taking it for the whole first quarter of pregnancy. On this topic we invite you to read the full text of the recommendation and all the attachments in the Italian Network for the Promotion of Folic Acid website.