Folic Acid is the synthetic form of vitamin B9, a crucial prenatal vitamin recommended by the NHS for all pregnant mothers; particularly in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Despite its widely known use as a prenatal vitamin, few women understand how folic acid can help support reproductive health and fertility prior to pregnancy. In this article, the health experts at Supplement Hub detail how folic acid supports the body both pre and during pregnancy and how else to support your fertility and reproductive health with supplements.
What Does Folic Acid Do in Pregnancy?
Folic acid’s primary function is the production of red blood cells and helping support cell growth, regeneration and repair in areas such as the skin, hair and nails. During pregnancy, folic acid is essential for supporting the development of the foetus particularly in the first 12 weeks in helping prevent neural tube defects as the baby develops.
As well as its general health benefits and pregnancy related support, folic acid can be hugely beneficial to most women during pre-pregnacy for those trying to conceive, except those women who have specific genetic considerations. Folic acid supports fertility health in women by supporting cell division, and DNA synthesis which both play crucial roles in the maintenance and quality of egg cells. Another way it supports the body is through hormone regulation, which helps promote regular ovulation; increasing the window for conception each month.
It’s a little known fact that folic acid can also support male fertility by contributing to increasing sperm health and quality; making it a beneficial addition to both partners when trying to conceive.
Does Folic Acid Help You Get Pregnant Fast?
Folic acid itself doesn’t help you get pregnant, however it supports both mother and baby in a multitude of ways and is recommended to take in the months leading up to conception and within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
As we’ve discussed, folic acid can help support fertility in both men and women by improving the quality of reproductive cells as well as supporting hormonal balance in the body.
It is recommended that women trying to conceive should take folic acid at least 3 months prior to conception to help boost folic acid in the body and support typical brain and spine development in the baby.
How Does Folic Acid Help You Get Pregnant?
While it doesn’t directly help you get pregnant, folic acid aids fertility in a number of ways for both men and women;
- Cell Health: Helps support the health and quality of both sperm and egg cells as well as supporting cells in the woman’s body; helping create an opportune biological environment for successful conception.
- Hormonal Balance: Folic acid helps the body regulate levels of estrogen and progesterone in the woman’s body; supporting essential processes such as ovulation and implantation.
- Periods and Menstruation: Achieving the right levels of folic acid in the body supports regular menstruation and menstrual cycles which help with tracking ovulation windows and timing conception.
How to Take Folic Acid Pre Pregnancy
When taking folic acid to help support fertility pre-pregnancy, begin your intake at least one month prior to ‘trying’ to help the body absorb the supplement and reap the benefits of consistent intake. The dosage is typically 400mg a day but it’s worth checking with your health care provider to discuss your individual circumstances and intake recommendations.
Including a diet rich in folate rich foods such as leafy green vegetables and fortified wholegrains can also help boost your intake. However, it’s important to supplement when you are pregnant or trying to ensure exact intake levels are being achieved and the risk of defects is low.
How to Take Folic Acid During Pregnancy
After conceiving, it’s widely recommended to take folic acid daily for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy at least. The recommended dose of folic acid for pregnancy is 400mg daily. This can be taken individually or as part of a specialised pre-natal blend. It is recommended to take folic acid alongside a meal to aid absorption. If you’re known to have difficulty absorbing or metabolising nutrients or have specific genetic considerations our expert Josephine Smith BsC Health Science recommends methylated folate or 5-MTHF for enhanced absorption. As the bioactive form of folate this form does not require conversion in the body to get to work.
How Long Does Folic Acid Take to Work for Pregnancy?
Folic acid is a quick working supplement which is easily absorbed within hours of digestion. However, the timeline for feeling the benefits will vary. When taking to support conception or pregnancy, consistent intake is important for at least 1 month, ideally 3 prior to conception to build important stores to prevent neural tube defects. Daily intake must continue for 12 weeks after pregnancy at the very least to continue preventing these defects.
If you’re taking folic acid for folate deficiency, you’ll likely feel the benefits in a few days or weeks but treatment is recommended to last several months to ensure adequate stores in the body and prevent recurring anemia.
Supporting Fertility with Supplements
While folic acid doesn’t directly help support an increase in fertility, it can contribute to opportune environments for successful conception and help prepare the body for pregnancy. There are plenty of other supplements that help support both female fertility and male fertility in a number of ways. We’ve highlighted a few of the most common below that are recommended for both men and women trying to conceive.
| Supplement | How it Supports Fertility | Who Should Take It |
| Folic Acid | Supports healthy egg and sperm cells, helps DNA synthesis and cell division, regeneration and repair. Also contributes to increased hormonal balance helping with regular menstruation and ovulation. An essential vitamin for the prevention of neural tube defects in babies. | Men and women. Women particularly once pregnant. |
| Vitamin D | Supports hormonal balance, regular ovulation and maintains sperm quality as well as offering support during pregnancy. | Men and Women |
| Omega-3 | Can help contribute to egg quality in women, help hormonal balance and achieve increased sperm health. Continued use when pregnant helps support fetal brain development. | Men and Women |
| Zinc | Supports hormonal regulation, regular ovulation and the formation of healthy sperm cells in men | Men and Women |
| Iron | Supports regular ovulation and energy levels. | Women. Pre pregnancy this should only be supplemented after testing iron levels. During pregnancy iron is included in most pre-natal supplement formulations. |
| Vitamin C | Helps protect sperm cells from oxidative damage. During pregnancy this is essential for immune support, iron absorption and collagen production. | Men when trying to conceive. Women during pregnancy. |
Folic acid or folate for pregnancy?
When you're pregnant or trying to conceive, you’re likely to come across NHS or healthcare professionals’ guidance to take folic acid supplements. You may also see the term ‘folate’ surrounding pregnancy, and wonder if they’re the same or which is the better option for pregnancy. Essentially, folic acid is the synthetic form of folate which you can naturally find in foods. Our in-house women’s health expert, Josephine Smith, explains which she recommends to her pregnant (or trying to conceive) clients in our in-depth guide, folate versus folic acid: what’s the difference, including her expert take on methylated folate for pregnancy instead.
Science Backed Supplements
At Supplement Hub, we work closely with our in-house practitioners at all times from selecting our extensive collection of supplements to providing advice and guidance. We only stock high-quality supplements and vitamins which have been vetted and approved by our medical team giving you peace of mind when achieving your health goals. Our pre-pregnancy and pregnancy supplements are no different. At this all important stage of life, we aim to provide our customers with the best ingredients, the highest quality supplements and proven support for both parents and baby.
