What medication is recommended for pregnant women to help prevent birth defects?

Folic acid is strongly recommended for pregnant women because it plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of neural tube defects in developing fetuses. Neural tube defects can lead to severe conditions such as spina bifida and anencephaly. The presence of adequate folic acid is vital for proper cell division and the formation of the neural tube during the early stages of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows she is pregnant. Health authorities typically advise that women of childbearing age take a daily supplement of folic acid, ideally starting before conception and continuing through the first trimester, to ensure that there are sufficient levels to support fetal development and minimize the risk of these defects.