NHS Norfolk and Waveney is working with the charity Shine and pharmacies and libraries across the county to make women more aware of the importance of taking folic acid supplements before getting pregnant.
Go Folic! is the first national folic acid campaign for 18 years, and NHS Norfolk and Waveney is one of the first organisations to promote it.
Folic acid is a form of vitamin B9 which is also found naturally in food such as green leafy vegetables and brown rice. Some breakfast cereals, breads and margarines also have folic acid added to them.
It is needed for growth and to help make new cells which is why it’s so essential for making babies.
Deborah Garrod, Maternal, Infant Nutrition and Breastfeeding Coordinator at NHS Norfolk and Waveney, said: “It seems that whilst many women know about taking folic acid once pregnant, fewer know that it should be taken at least three months in advance and even fewer would think about taking it ‘just in case’.
“This is something that is so easy to do and could prevent up to 72% of cases of spina bifida, which is why we are committed to this campaign.”
She added: “Statistics show that at least 40 per cent of pregnancies are unplanned. That makes it even more important that women who could fall pregnant are aware of how important that it is to take a folic acid supplement.”
Before a woman is even aware that she is pregnant, her baby’s brain and spinal cord are developing and folic acid helps these to grow properly. But it takes a while to get enough folic acid into the bloodstream so taking it for at least three months before conception, until the 12th week of pregnancy, helps to prevent Neural Tube Defects (NTDs) like spina bifida, which happen in the first 28 days of pregnancy.
Spina bifida is a congenital birth defect. Women can reduce the risk of having a baby with spina bifida by taking a simple inexpensive vitamin tablet that contains 400mcg of folic acid a day.
Every day at least two women in the UK will be told that their unborn baby has spina bifida. That’s more than 900 pregnancies every year. Folic acid, taken early enough, could have prevented many of these cases.
The Go Folic! campaign aims to encourage all women who could become pregnant to take folic acid before they get pregnant to reduce the risk of spina bifida in their baby. Often folic acid is only taken when pregnancy has been confirmed, which is too late.
Go Folic! publicity materials including leaflets, posters and postcards will be displayed at pharmacies across the county throughout April and May. Go Folic! stickers will be used on repeat prescriptions of the contraceptive pill or other related prescriptions to reinforce awareness.
Norfolk County Council libraries will also display information about the campaign on their plasma screens and have Go Folic! leaflets available in their health books sections.
Tony Dean, Chief Officer of the Norfolk Local Pharmaceutical Committee, said: “Community pharmacies are ideally placed to reinforce this vital message. This campaign is one of the six public health campaigns required by our core contract, but even if it was not, this simple intervention which can make such a difference should always be at the forefront of our minds. We’re being provided with great supporting material, so let’s make the very best of it.”
Ian Small, of NHS Norfolk and Waveney’s prescribing and medicines management team, said: “There are 174 community pharmacies across NHS Norfolk and Waveney’s area, and we are pleased to be involved in this campaign.
“We hope that it will raise awareness of how important it is for women who may become pregnant to take a folic acid supplement. If women have any queries or need further information we would urge them to speak to their local community pharmacist.”
Barry Stone, Cabinet Member for Cultural Services at Norfolk County Council, said: “We’re very happy to be supporting this important campaign. Making relevant information available to the people who use our libraries is a crucial part of the library service’s role. Libraries are used by a great cross-section of society so I hope our involvement will really help get the message out there about how vital it is for women to take a folic acid supplement before getting pregnant.”
The Department of Health currently recommends that all women who could become pregnant should take 400mcg folic acid daily. Go Folic! aims to increase awareness of these recommendations.
400mcg folic acid supplements are available in pharmacies, supermarkets and health food shops, and may be free on prescription if you are eligible.
Some women, such as those with diabetes, epilepsy or coeliac disease, need to take 5mg of folic acid daily. This dosage is only available on prescription and women in these higher risk groups are advised to see their GP if they are planning a pregnancy.
To find out where your local library is and to join the library online, visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/libraries
Pharmacy opening times can be found on the NHS Choices website www.nhs.uk, or you can call NHS Direct for details of pharmacy services available in your area on 0845 46 47.
Find out more about the Go Folic! campaign at: www.gofolic.co.uk
Visit the Shine charity’s website at: www.shinecharity.org.uk
Find out more about healthy eating in pregnancy at: www.nhs.uk
Women are also advised to take 10 micrograms of vitamin D each day throughout their pregnancy and if they breastfeed. They are advised not to take vitamin A supplements, or any supplements containing vitamin A, as too much could harm an unborn baby.
