Atoms are the building blocks of matter. They are the smallest particles of an element that still have the elementâs properties. Elements are pure substancesâsuch as nickel, hydrogen, and heliumâthat make up all kinds of matter. All the atoms of a given element are identical in that they have the same number of protons, one of the building blocks of atoms.
During pregnancy, take a prenatal vitamin each day that has 600 micrograms of folic acid in it. You need more folic acid during pregnancy to help your baby grow and develop. Your health care provider can prescribe a prenatal vitamin for you. Or you can get prenatal vitamins over the counter without a prescription.
Talk with your doctor about how much folic acid you need if: 1  You are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant. 2  Pregnant women need 400 to 800 mcg of folic acid in the very early stages of pregnancy often before they know that they are pregnant. 3  A pregnant woman should keep taking folic acid throughout pregnancy. You had a baby with a birth defect of the brain or spine and want to get pregnant again. 2  Your doctor may give you a prescription for 4,000 mcg of folic acid. 3  That is 10 times the normal dose. 4  Taking this high dose of folic acid can lower the risk of having another baby with these birth defects.