Folic acid and alcohol

Average rating:

To get a summary and checklist of all of our advice on the do's and don't's of pregnancy, click here

Folic acid supplements

You should take folic acid tablets for at least the first 12 weeks of pregnancy - even if you are healthy and have a good diet. Folic acid is a vitamin which occurs naturally in certain foods. However, you need a good supply of folic acid when you are pregnant. If you take folic acid tablets in early pregnancy you reduce the risk of having a baby born with a spinal cord problem such as spina bifida. You can buy folic acid tablets from pharmacies.

You should start taking folic acid tablets before becoming pregnant (from the time you plan to become pregnant). If the pregnancy is unplanned then start taking folic acid tablets as soon as you know that you are pregnant.
For most women the dose is 400 micrograms (0.4 mg) a day.
If your risk of having a child with a spinal cord problem is increased then the dose is higher (5 mg a day - you need a prescription for this higher dose). That is, if:

you have had a previously affected pregnancy.
your partner, or a first-degree relative, have a spinal cord defect.
you have coeliac disease (as your intake of folate may be affected by this condition).
you are taking medication for epilepsy.
you have diabetes, sickle cell anaemia, or thalassaemia.

Alcohol

If you have one or two drinks of alcohol (one or two units), once or twice a week, it is unlikely to harm your unborn baby. However, the amount of alcohol that is safe in pregnancy is not definitely known. So, many women have little or no alcohol when they are pregnant.

It is known that if you drink heavily you have an increased risk of miscarriage, and it may cause serious harm to the baby's growth and brain development. If you find it difficult to cut down or stop drinking alcohol, then seek advice and help from your practice nurse or GP.

Read on for info about smoking and drugs during pregnancy

Where next?
- More about drinking in pregnancy
- If you don't want to take folic acid supplements find out what foods it's in
- Read other ways in which folic acid is good for you
- How much do you know about alcohol? Take our quiz to find out
- What to eat when you're pregnant
- And foods to avoid