Jayne
Vorder Bruegge
RN, FCN
“Happy
Mothers’ Day” is a greeting many women love to hear. One start to a joyful
Mothers’ Day is the conception and birth of a healthy baby. This month we want to discuss
health babies so sharpen your pencil and take this Mothers’ Day
quiz. And it’s not for women only!
Question
1:
What nutrient is vitally
important for all future mothers to be?
Answer:
Folic Acid –
It
is simple to get, and essential to have …
Did
you know that two thirds of women in the United
States do not get enough folic acid
in their diet? Folic
acid is important because if pregnant women do not get enough folic
acid in their diet, it can cause serious birth defects in their
babies. Folic acid (also known as folate) is a B vitamin that helps
the body to make new cells. It is also essential for the proper
development of unborn babies in the first few weeks of pregnancy.
Question
2. When is the Folic Acid Needed?
Answer:
The dilemma is that folic acid is needed even before a woman becomes
pregnant.
The
neural tube which becomes the spinal cord, spine, brain and skull
forms in a growing baby during the first few weeks after conception.
If a pregnant woman does not have enough folic acid already in her
body before this development begins, the baby growing in the womb
may end up with a neural tube defect.
Neural
tube defects cause serious problems in the spine or brain ranging
from learning disabilities to paralysis and even death of the
baby. Because up to 50%
of pregnancies in this country are unplanned, it’s critical that all
women who are able to have children get enough folic acid in their
diet in case they do become pregnant.
Question
3. Where Do I Get the Folic Acid?
Answer:
Folic acid (folate) is easy to find. It can be found naturally in
fruits, green, leafy vegetables and dried beans and peas. Some foods
have been fortified (meaning folic acid has been added to the food).
Certain flours, grain products (rice, pasta) and cereals have folate
added. You can look at the food label to see if folate is listed as
one of the ingredients. You can also take a supplement – either a
single folic acid pill or a multivitamin. Folic acid is most
effective when you eat a diet rich in the vitamin and also take a
supplement.
Question
4: How Much Folic Acid Do I Need?
Answer:
The recommended daily amount is 400 micrograms (mcg) or 0.4
milligrams (mg). Over 80% of neural tube defects can be prevented by
getting 400 mcg of folic acid each day.
Question
5: What About Older Women and Men?
Answer:
The importance of folic acid to women in the prevention of
devastating birth defects is well known. The benefits of folic acid
may not be limited to women of child-bearing age. Although there is still more
research needed, folic acid has also been associated with a reduced
risk for heart disease, stroke, some forms of cancer and
Alzheimer’s.
From
Proverbs 31 in the Hebrew Scriptures:
“Who
can find a wise woman? When you find yourself to be a wise
woman,your children will stand up and call you
blessed.”
Care
for One Another
Women,
let’s all pay attention to how much folic acid we are taking – we
can improve our own health and the health of our unborn babies.
Men,
tell your girlfriends and wives.
Grandmas,
tell your daughters and granddaughters…
Online
Resources:
Fairfax
County
Saving Babies Initiative:
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hd/pcs
www.cdc.gov/women
www.marchofdimes.com
www.4women.gov
References:
Written
by Esther M. Walker, RN, BSN, MSN, Maternal Child Health Coordinator,
Fairfax County Health Department, and Emily Sperlazza, BA,
RN,
GMU
Graduate Student.
Edited
by The Rev. Sandi John, MDiv,
MS, RN,CNS- BC, Senior Manager, INOVA
Congregational Health Partnership in conjunction with Pender
UMC Health Ministry.
Bible
NIV
Articles in this newsletter
are not a substitute for the care and advice of medical
Professionals. When you have a question or need medical advice,
diagnosis or treatment, consult your
physician.
