Folic acid helps reduce the risk of birth defects such as spina bifida.
The most important time to take it is from a few months before you conceive until the end of your first trimester (12 weeks).
During this period, it’s important that you are eating a healthy balanced diet as well as taking a folic acid supplement. You can also include folate-rich foods in your diet such as green vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, beans, and peas; and fruits such as oranges.