Pregnant women should start prenatal care as soon as possible for the healthy development of their babies.
The arrival of a baby into the world is a source of great joy, but pregnancy requires special attention to health. With changes in her metabolic functions, the pregnant woman needs to prepare for the nine months, taking care of her diet, emotional state, blood pressure, among other topics, so that the birth takes place in the best conditions. For this, medical care is essential during the process. However, the data from the Unified Health System (SUS) raises an alarm: during the pandemic, prenatal consultations fell by 13.5%.
Dr. Célia Regina Silva, vice-president of SGORJ (Gynecology and Obstetrics Association of the State of Rio de Janeiro) and coordinator of the adolescent clinic at the Maternity School of UFRJ, explains that the doctor-pregnant woman relationship is fundamental, especially in the midst of so much available information. "Medical guidance for pregnant women plays an important role in clarifying the doubts that start to arise. At first, the flood of information comes from all sides - it may or may not be true and, worse, it could have an impact on the correct development of the pregnancy."
The intake of vitamins and nutrients is one of the issues of concern. According to the WHO, it is estimated that 41.8% of pregnant women worldwide are anemic, assuming that a large proportion of anemia is due to folic acid and iron deficiency. Women therefore need a more balanced diet to help maintain the mother's health and also the development of a healthy baby. One of the many allies at this time is folic acid (vitamin B9) pre-conceptionally until the end of the first trimester of pregnancy plays an important role in the prevention of neural tube defects.
"Folic acid supplementation is an example of how unscientific information and a lack of medical advice can confuse women. In addition to preventing anemia, folic acid is extremely important for preventing birth defects, especially neural tube defects (NTDs). Pregnant women around the world have been receiving folic acid supplementation for over 50 years. It is a tested product, with proven absorption, dosage and effects," warns Dr. Célia Regina.
The correct dosage must also be taken into account: the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends taking 400 micrograms a day, starting two months before the planned pregnancy. In the first 12 weeks, folic acid participates in various functions in the body and, when administered in the correct dosage and at the correct time, protects the baby, helping the neural tube to close and contributing to the embryo's neurodevelopment.
The specialist points out, however, that women at high risk of NTDs should take a dose of 4mg. "The concentration of folic acid circulating in the blood before fertilization is another step towards having a healthy baby. This is because the vitamin is used by the body to produce new cells, contributing to the growth of those that will form the fetal organs and tissues in early pregnancy. Since folic acid cannot be stored, it needs to be supplied continuously."
Diet is also part of a successful pregnancy, but it's difficult to get the recommended daily amount of folic acid from diet alone. That's why international medical societies, such as the FDA (USA) and EMA (EU), recommend supplementing with vitamin B9, or folic acid. folic acid.
"Medical consultations and regular check-ups should be frequent during pregnancy, because there are many factors to be analyzed and the pregnant woman needs reliable, scientifically proven information. It's never too much to reinforce scientific data when we talk about the future of children," advises Dr. Célia Regina.
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