Certificate In Psychology (CPSY) Practice Exam

When is the best time for a woman to ensure her diet has sufficient folic acid?

1. The last three months of pregnancy.

2. The first few weeks of pregnancy.

3. Before she gets pregnant.

4. Before beginning to breastfeed.

The correct answer is: Before she gets pregnant.

Folic acid is a vital nutrient that plays a crucial role in the early development of a fetus, particularly in neural tube formation, which occurs in the first few weeks of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows she is pregnant. Ensuring adequate folic acid intake before conception is important, as it significantly reduces the risk of brain and spinal cord defects in the developing baby. The recommendation for women of childbearing age is to maintain sufficient folic acid levels prior to pregnancy to prepare for any unforeseen conception. This is why the stage before getting pregnant is identified as the best time for women to focus on their folic acid intake. The other time points, such as during the last three months of pregnancy or just before breastfeeding, are too late to impact the crucial early development stages of the fetus. Additionally, while the first few weeks of pregnancy are important for folic acid, relying solely on intake during that time could be insufficient since many women may not realize they are pregnant until a few weeks in, missing that critical window for neural development.