Folate is a B vitamin found in food and folic acid is the form it is in vitamin supplements. This vital nutrient helps the development of the baby’s brain and spinal cord. The recommended daily amount of folic acid, which is 400 micrograms, has proven to reduce the risk of the baby being born with neural tube defects (defects of the brain and spinal cord). Since fetal brain and spinal cord development occurs early during pregnancy (during the second month), neural tube defects can occur even before a woman is aware she is pregnant. Therefore, beginning before pregnancy to take folic acid daily ensures the baby has a better chance of preventing these birth defects. The best way to 400 micrograms of folate/folic acid is by taking a daily multivitamin or folic acid supplement with this amount.