Low Carb? Pregnant? Read this!

[pcx99]

The federal government mandated that breakfast cereals be fortified with Folic Acid an essential protein which greatly reduces the chance of some very common birth defects. If you are low carb, you avoid these cereals and even if you're allowing yourself extra carbs for the pregnancy may still avoid cereals because they're pretty much pre-processed junk food. If this is the case you definately should seek out a vitamin or suppliment with folic acid. Just something to add to your "gee I never thought about that before" list.

FYI Folic Acid is also included in the list of "essential oils" the Atkins books recommend as one of your daily supplements.

http://www.modimes.org/professionals/690_1403.asp

Folic acid may decrease the risk of your unborn baby developing serious birth defects called neural tube defects or NTDs.

NTDs are defects that occur very early in a baby’s development, within four to five weeks after conception. During this period of pregnancy, the neural tube forms and closes to become the spinal cord, brain and bone surrounding these organs. When the neural tube does not close properly, an NTD occurs.

Spina bifida and anencephaly are two common forms of NTD. Spina bifida is a defect of the spinal cord that is sometimes called “open spine.” Anencephaly is a birth defect that results in babies being born with underdeveloped brains and incomplete skulls.

Research has shown that if all women get 400 micrograms of synthetic folic acid every day before pregnancy, neural tube defects can be reduced by 50 to 70 percent.

[Seattlegirl]

It's always suggested that if you have the slightest chance of becoming pregnant - I'm on birth control and I still do this - is to take a regular dose of folic acid. It's in most multivitamins. Even before this WOE I took a multi for this reason.

[Lisa Rae]

My doctor said any woman that is in her child bareing years should be taking flic acid (suppliments) anyway. I've been taking them the last 4 years daily.

[microbiology1]

I always thought that if they wanted women of child bearing age to be taking folic acid they should add it to birth control pills. Wouldn't that be an easy way to get like half the population?!

[Lisa Rae]

Micro..great idea..but don't you think that the ones that are gong to need it..are probably NOT on birth control? LOLOL