Folic acid can prevent birth defects
Taking folic acid, a B vitamin prior to and in the early part of
pregnancy can help prevent some defects of the brain and spinal cord.
Because these defects happen in the first month of pregnancy, before
many women even know they are pregnant, it is important for a woman to
have enough folic acid in her system before conception. Because about
half of all pregnancies in American women are unplanned it is
recommended that women who can become pregnant (even if they are not
planning to get pregnant) take a vitamin with folic acid daily.