“Folic acid is B vitamin that every cell in your body needs for normal growth and development.  Taking folic acid before and during early pregnancy can help prevent neural tube defects in your baby. Before pregnancy, take a multivitamin that has 400 micrograms (also called mcg) of folic acid in it every day.  During pregnancy, take a prenatal vitamin that has 600 mcg of folic acid in it every day.  Take a multivitamin with folic acid every day, even if you’re not trying to get pregnant.”