Folic acid is known as one of the nutrients that are good for the body, especially for pregnant women. Although pregnant women need to get this vitamin intake, there are some side effects of folic acid that can appear if pregnant women consume it in excess.
Folic acid or vitamin B9 plays an important role in the production of red blood cells in the body. Not only that, in pregnant women, folic acid intake is also important for the development of the brain and nervous system of the fetus.
Pregnant women who are deficient in folic acid are more at risk for anemia and premature labor. Not only has an impact on pregnant women, folic acid deficiency can also cause disturbances to the fetus, such as low birth weight and congenital brain defects, such as spina bifida and anencephaly.
To prevent the occurrence of the above conditions, pregnant women are advised to meet the needs of folic acid by consuming foods that contain lots of folic acid or pregnancy supplements according to a doctor's prescription.
However, folic acid is also not recommended to be consumed too much because of the risk of causing side effects.
Side Effects of Folic Acid on Pregnant Women and Fetus
The recommended amount of folate intake for pregnant women is around 600 micrograms (mcg) per day, while for women who are not pregnant, folic acid needs to be consumed as much as 400 mcg per day. This amount includes folic acid intake from food and supplements.
If pregnant women consume too much folic acid or exceed the recommended dosage, there are several side effects of folic acid that can occur, namely:
- Nauseous
- Loss of appetite
- bloating
- Bitter or bad taste in the mouth
- Sleep disturbance
- Change mood
Consumption of folic acid supplements in pregnant women can sometimes also cause allergies, such as itching, skin rashes, and stomach pain. However, this one side effect of folic acid is very rare.
In addition, there are several studies which state that excess folic acid during pregnancy can increase the risk of autism in the fetus. However, this still needs to be investigated further.
To meet the needs of folic acid, pregnant women can eat foods that contain lots of folic acid, such as spinach, soybeans, beans, wheat, chicken or beef liver, and broccoli. If necessary, pregnant women can also get folic acid intake from pregnancy supplements according to a doctor's prescription.
So that the amount of folic acid intake that pregnant women get is not less or even excessive, and to prevent side effects of folic acid, pregnant women are advised to consult a gynecologist.
When carrying out a routine pregnancy checkup, pregnant women can ask their doctor for advice regarding diet or supplements that need to be consumed to meet the needs of folic acid during pregnancy