- Take a multi-vitamin
It has been proven with research that taking folate prior to getting pregnant will exponentially lower the risk of neural tube defects (NTD), such as spina bifida and anencephaly.
According to Motherisk, that is a research program that answers developmental questions on babies in the womb, “between two and four of every 1,000” babies born in Canada are affected by NTD.
Folate is a B vitamin that “helps the body produce healthy new cells”, according to Today’s Parent.
Doctors recommend taking a multi-vitamin with .4 to 1 mg daily of folate, about three months before conceiving.
And since it’s hard to tell when that magical day will be where you see those anticipated lines on the pregnancy test, start with the vitamin now.