(KUTV) 1 out of every 33 babies born in the United States has a birth defect. In most cases, the cause of birth defects is not known. Doctors say women can take steps to help reduce their risk of having a baby with a birth defect. Women, they say, should take these steps before getting pregnant.

Experts say one way to reduce the risk of having a baby born with a birth defect is to take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day. Studies show that folic acid can reduce the risk of having a miscarriage and reduce the changes of birth defects. Doctors say birth defects often develop in the early stages of pregnancy and many birth defects will go undetected until the baby is born.

You can find folic acid in a multi vitamin that you can buy at the grocery store. Just be sure to check the label to see if the vitamin has the recommended daily dose of folic acid. You can also find folic acid in cold cereals, flour, breads, pasta and cookies. Foods that are high in folic acid include leafy vegetables, okra, asparagus and fruit.

For more information on folic acid, visit: www.endbirthdefects.org. If you need financial assistance to purchase folic acid, you are encouraged to call (866) 818-7096.

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
Why Women Should Take Folic Acid