How important is Folic Acid ?

I  was taking a Prenatal Vitamin from the day i found out i was PG but that made me sick ( too much iron) so i then took just a Folic Acid pill right up until week 14.... Im now 19 weeks and i havent really been takeing it anymore... i tend to forget! I do remeber here and there, but is it IMPORTANT to take during my whole Pregnancy? or is it okay if i do tend to miss a few days a week? its not like im unhealthy i eat friut and veg everyday!

[njeosys]

This is something a nurse told my sister. She said it is better to take the few pills you remember to take then to not take any at all. So long as you remember to get a few in your in a given week, your baby is probably fine. You can also get folic acid through food (like dark greens, orange juice, and grains). Folic acid prevents birth defects in baby and it is typically most important during the first few weeks and months.

It is important to take your entire pregnancy because your baby isn't an adult with immunity and strength. Their bodies are developing this time and after birth. It is important to take at the different stages of development to ensure that the heart, lungs, and other vital organs form correctly and for their tiny little brains. Please try to remember.

What helped me was to get one of those little containers that have a spot for each day of the week. On Sunday I'd fill each day with one vitamin. I put the container where I would see it and remember to take the vitamin (kitchen counter, dining table, on top of microwave, nightstand, etc.). And if I couldn't remember if I took one the day before, I'd know because it would be in there.