Results of a new study indicate that the risk of spontaneous preterm birth decreases with the duration of pre-conception folic acid supplementation and is the lowest in women who supplement for at least one year prior to conception.

Births that take place prior to 37 weeks of gestation have been associated with developmental disabilities and decreased survival. It is also known that women who have low plasma folate concentrations during pregnancy are at higher risk of giving birth prematurely.

A May 2009 article published in the PLoS Medicine journal reports that women who consumed folic acid supplements for a year or more before conceiving experienced a significantly lower risk of preterm births.

Natural length of pregnancy was defined as gestational age at delivery in pregnancies with no medical or obstetrical complications that would make early delivery necessary. Spontaneous preterm birth was defined as duration of pregnancy between 20 and 37 weeks without those complications.

The risk of preterm delivery was directly related to the duration of folic supplementation. Compared to women who did not supplement, women who supplemented for at least one year prior to conception experienced a 70 percent lower risk of premature delivery between the 20 and 28 week of gestation, and a 50 percent decrease between the 28 and 32 week.

Pre-conception folic acid supplementation is associated with a 50-70 percent reduction in the incidence of early spontaneous preterm birth, and the risk of preterm birth is decreased the most in women who supplement the longest before conception.

Source: PLoS Med 6(5):2009 ePub

Prenatal supplementation of folic acid has been shown to decrease the risk of several birth defects. Several studies have recently suggested a potential protective effect of folic acid on some pediatric cancers.

In a recent analysis, researchers uncovered an association between taking prenatal multivitamins and a decreased risk for pediatric brain tumors, neuroblastomas, and leukemia.

In a paper published in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, a Canadian team of researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the potential protective effect of prenatal multivitamins on several pediatric cancers. Several large medical databases were searched for studies on multivitamin supplementation and pediatric cancers published in all languages from 1960 to July 2005. Rates of cancers in the children of women supplemented with multivitamins were compared with those of unsupplemented women. Seven articles met the inclusion criteria and were used for this review.

Results from the review showed a protective effect of multivitamins on leukemia, pediatric brain tumors and neuroblastoma. The researchers concluded that although the individual components linked to the protective benefit are unknown, prenatal multivitamins taken during pregnancy are associated with a reduced incidence of certain pediatric cancers and leukemia.

Source: Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2007) 81, 685–691

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When you are pregnant many doctors will look for provide you with proper supplementation with help with the conceivement, development and the easy delivery of your baby, making you have a healthier and more intelligent baby. In fact many docter will advise you what you be on if they know you are planning to concieve.

Do you know that what you take during pregnancy as a mother can affect the baby’s health for the rest of its life.

According to Dr ray Strand MD www.drraystrand.com says that women should consider taking at least 400 to 800 mcg of folic acid prior to becoming pregnant.

Good Nutrition During Pregnancy

As the spine and brain development happens very early in the foetus development- even before the mother is aware of her pregnancy- the mother must consider to take folic acid to help prevent the occurance of neural tube defects in the baby. The nerve tissues need plenty of folic acid. A good multi vitamin should have folic acid in their formulation. If folic acid is not present your doctor should be consulted.

Avoid cheaper brands as contamination from heavy metals example mercury in fish oils and lead in calcium supplements could be unsafe for your baby.

We recommend the following

( Please take with your doctor’s advice)-

• A good multivitamin guarantees that the mother and baby have all the vital essential nurients required for the foetus to grow and develop perfectly. The multi vitamin should be is formulated with folic acid important for your baby’s development.
• Secondly the the supplement should not contain Vitamin A which is known to be harmful and toxic for the baby but rather beta carotene in the natural form to supply you vitamin A in its natural safe form only when you require.
• Omega 3 fish oils: Taking 1 to 2 gms daily is prudent for good brain development and the development of the foetus. Do you know that studies have shown that taking a high quality fish oil supplement during pregnancy have resulted in baby’s having higher IQs. Secondly the omega-3 oils can help with the tissue elasticity and help you with an easy child birth. Omega-3 fish oil supplement should be guaranteed safe and have no heavy metal contamination and is made to pharmaceutical standards.
• Calcium and magnesium: Try taking a supplement that can deliver 800 to 1000mg per day. The Magnesium has a calming effect and helps the young mother and baby sleep well. Secondly calcium and magnesium in the right formulation to give the best effects for the formation of healthy bones. Magnesium also help to reduce night cramps in the mother as well as improves the nerve functions.
• During pregnancy the young mother may have developed piles (haemorrhoids) and increasing taking a high fibre supplement could help prevent or reduce this problem.
• These nutrients also help support normal, healthy heart function, nerve and myelin function and helps maintain good joint health.

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