Should I take extra folic acid with my prenatal vitamin?

If your prenatal vitamin contains 400 micrograms (400 mcg) of folic acid, there is no need to take an additional supplement. Most vitamins contain 400 mcg, which is the recommended daily dosage for pregnant women.

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.

If you have had a previous pregnancy affected by a birth defect of the brain or spinal cord, talk with your health care provider. You may need to take a larger dose, to reduce the risk of another affected pregnancy.

January 2007