Before planning to have a baby, what preparations should be made and what nutrients should be supplemented?

Patient's question:

No

Doctor's answer:

Women of childbearing age should start taking 400 micrograms of folic acid daily three months before pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects in the fetus. Taking folic acid can prevent 80% of neural tube defect births. It is especially important for women with a history of neural tube defect births to take it. You can stop taking it after three months.