Dr. Ategbese Simeon, a medical doctor at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, said folic acid was essential in the development of brain and spinal cord in unborn babies.
Simeon made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Bauchi on Wednesday.
He said: “The lack of folic acid can cause defect, which is known to be neural tube defect.”
He added that professionally, pregnant women should begin to take folic acid in the first three months.
He said: “Folic acid helps in the development of brain and spinal cord, so pregnant women should be encouraged to take their medication as prescribed by doctors.
“Folic acid is not expensive.
“Pregnant women can afford to buy it from pharmacies to enable them to have healthy babies.”
The medical doctor also advised pregnant women to do some exercises that would strengthen their pelvic muscles, the uterus, the bladder, the small intestine and the rectum.
Simeon explained that many factors could weaken the pelvic muscles, which he said includes pregnancy, childbirth, surgery, aging, excessive straining from constipation or chronic coughing and being overweight.
He called on women to always seek medical advice and ask questions where necessary to gain more medical information on maintaining their health, especially during pregnancy.
NAN.
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