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How well do you know your Folic Acid Facts?

Click on the image below to find out!!

Did you take your Folic Acid today?

Tell every woman you know between the ages of 15-44 to take folic acid every day. Since Spina Bifida and Anencephaly develops in the first 28 days of a pregnancy, Folic Acid must be taken prior to conception in order for it to be effective. If a woman takes the recommended daily allowance of 400mcg, she can reduce her risk by up to 70%. Consider the following:

All women capable of becoming pregnant are at risk of having a Spina Bifida pregnancy
Women should take folic acid whether they're trying to get pregnant or not - half of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned
Spina Bifida occurs before most women know they are pregnant
Spina Bifida and Anencephaly are the most common preventable birth defects

Remember: if you, your child or your sibling are affected by Spina Bifida you should be taking a higher dose (4mg) of folic acid to prevent a recurrence!

We work hard to educate the communities we serve about Spina Bifida and Folic Acid by participating in health fairs and bridal fairs throughout the year. We want to educate as many people as possible and we want you to do the same. Please spread the word!

Folic Acid Bulletin Board Contest 2010

CONGRATULATIONS!

1st Place - Naco/Perrin WIC

2nd Place - Pecan ValleyWIC

3rd Place - RittimanWIC

Most Informative - Callaghan WIC

Best Presentation - S. FloresWIC

Most Innovative - Southwest WIC

Thank you to for the hard work and creativity from all the participating WIC clinics!

All bulletin Board entries can be found below.

Bulliten Board Entries!

SECOND PLACE WINNER!!!!!!!! Pecan Valley - Did you know...? • B9 is another name for Folic Acid. • Folic acid is also called folate and is a B vitamin. • Folic Acid plays a role in cell production and division, including the production of red blood cells. • Folic acid is found in foods, fortified cereals, grain products, as well as in vitamin supplements. But I’m not getting pregnant! • Many pregnancies aren’t planned, it’s important for every woman of childbearing age to take folic acid, even if they are not trying to conceive. Birth defects occur within the first 3 to 4 weeks of pregnancy. What are the risks of not taking folic acid? • The absence of folic acid increases the possibility of neural tube defects which are defects in the development of the spinal cord. • Spina bifida is a condition in which the spinal cord is exposed. • Anencephaly is a condition in which infants die shortly after birth because most of the brain is absent. What foods contain folic acid? • The food and Drug Administration has taken steps to fortify food so that all women of childbearing age get a daily dose of folic acid. The following foods can help you obtain your recommended amount of folic acid… • leafy green vegetables • citrus fruits • beans • breads • cereals • rice • pasta How do I know if I am at risk for having a baby with neural tube defect and how can I prevent this from happening? • Women who are at the greatest risk are those that have had a previous pregnancy that involved a neural defect. • Women who are not eating a balanced diet that includes folic acid • The best way to prevent neural defects is to take the recommended 400 micrograms of folic acid daily, for 1 month before conception and during the first 3 months. • You cannot take too much folic acid, but you can over dose on the other vitamins contained in multivitamin formulas. What are signs of a deficiency? • Folate deficiency anemia and iron deficiency anemia can have similar symptoms of fatigue and weakness. • A mild folate deficiency may also leave you grumpy or edgy. • If you have any concerns about your diet, speak with your doctor, who may refer you to a dietitian. Premature babies… • A recent study suggests that women who take folic acid for at least 1 year before they become pregnant can cut their risk for having a premature baby born before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy) by half . • The study also suggests that these women can reduce their risk of having a very premature baby (born before 32 completed weeks) by up to 70 percent. • Premature babies are at increased risk of newborn complications and lasting disabilities, including mental retardation, cerebral palsy and vision loss, with very premature babies at highest risk. I am vegetarian and thinking about getting pregnant. Can I get enough folic acid from my food? • Probably not. The recommended dose of folic acid for most women is 400 micrograms (400 mcg) per day. • Pregnant women should get at least 600 micrograms of folic acid per day. Its hard to get this amount through diet alone. • Folate is the natural form of folic acid. It is found in some foods. But the amount of folic acid in these foods is fairly low. What are the side effects of taking folic acid? • There is no known toxic level for folic acid. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends no more than 1,000 micrograms of folic acid per day. • Some women have skin flushing, rash and itching. • Excessive doses (1500 micrograms or more) may seriously affect the digestive system.

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