Most pregnant women realize the importance of a healthy diet and regular exercise while they are expecting. But it is what you do before you become pregnant that may have an even greater impact on your baby’s health.

If taken in adequate amounts before pregnancy, folic acid (folate) reduces your baby’s risk of developing neural tube birth defects like spina bifida, a condition caused by failure of the spinal column to close.

Dr. Barbara Struempler, Extension nutritionist, says women of childbearing age should take a folic acid supplement daily.

"If a woman is thinking about becoming pregnant, she should really take folic acid supplements prior to pregnancy," say Struempler. "It’s found in a wide variety of foods, including green, leafy vegetables, citrus fruits and juices, and food companies must now fortify bread and cereal with it. But women, especially those interested in becoming pregnant, truly have to take a supplement, too."

A baby’s spinal cord is developed at conception, says Struempler, so taking folic acid supplements after you find out you’re pregnant – which may be even a month later – won’t help as effectively.

"It’s not as important two weeks into the pregnancy," she says. "That’s why women who are of childbearing age who may become pregnant really should take a folic acid supplement. A pharmacist can recommend a good supplement."