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.
Folic acid works during the early stages of pregnancy, so that's why it's important to make sure you're getting enough folic acid even before you get pregnant. Do this the cycle before you start trying, says Paula Hillard, MD, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Stanford University.