Sexually active women who could become pregnant are being reminded of the importance of taking folic acid, even if they are not planning a pregnancy.

Folic acid is a B-group vitamin, which is known to reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) in babies. NTDs are birth defects of the brain and spinal cord. One of the most common types of NTD is spina bifida, a defect in which the spinal column fails to form properly.

Around 80 babies are born in Ireland with NTDs every year, however as many as 70% of these could be avoided if women took folic acid.

The vitamin should be taken in the three months before conception and for the first three months of the pregnancy. However, as up to half of all pregnancies are thought to be unplanned, women of childbearing age who are sexually active are recommended to take it.

"We know that women are somewhat aware of folic acid but with up to 50% of all pregnancies being unplanned, it's so important that all women who are sexually active start taking the vitamin daily, even if a baby is the last thing on their mind. That's because a baby's neural tube develops in the first few weeks of pregnancy when many women may be unaware they are pregnant," commented Dr Rhona Mahony, Master of the National Maternity Hospital in Holles Street, Dublin.

She made her comments at the launch of a campaign by Safefood, which aims to encourage more women to take folic acid. Research carried out for the campaign found that less than 10% of young women take the vitamin, while one in 10 believe they can get enough of it from food. However, this is not the case.

"For a healthy mum and baby, we simply can't get enough folic acid from our food alone even with fortified foods. Taking a daily folic acid supplement of 400 mcg is the only way to go. Folic acid is widely available, and doesn't cost more than a few cents a day," explained Dr Cliodhna Foley-Nolan of Safefood.

She also emphasised that taking folic acid ‘doesn't mean you are planning a baby'.

"It just means when you do have a baby, however far in the future that may be, you are already helping to protect their health," she said.

The campaign, ‘Babies Know the Facts About Folic', will feature on digital and social media throughout July and August, as well as in pharmacies, GP surgeries and retail outlets nationwide.

"Taking folic acid daily as a supplement could potentially prevent two thirds of NTDs. On average, that's approximately 50 fewer babies affected every year," said Prof Michael Turner of the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital in Dublin.

For more information on folic acid, click here

For more information on pregnancy, see our Pregnancy Clinic here