<s>[INST] These days m trying to conceive n I think not sure dt m pregnant nw my last menstrual date was 3rd August 2014, my question is should I start folic acid tablet nw ? I have a three years old son n after dt one miscarriage(due to fall on the floor) in march 2014 this is m 3rd time pregnant again n thanks to God my first pregnancy ws normal no complications n 2nd ws too ..... [/INST] Hello, and I hope I can help you todayFolic acid is recommended to be taken during pregnancy because it helps reduce the risk of certain kinds of birth defects known as neural tube defects. While there is no proof that taking folic acid completely prevents birth defects, it is known that neural tube defects are caused by folic acid deficiency. It was helpful to take folic acid while you are trying to conceive because then you will already be on it at conception. However, the neural tube of the baby only begins to develop at around 7 to 8 weeks gestation, so if you start taking the medication at around that time pregnancy the potential benefit is still there. So in summary, you should begin to take folic acid tablets as there is a possibility you are pregnant. I hope this information was helpful and best of luck to you for your future pregnancy. </s>