A vitamin called folic acid is very important for neural tube development, which is the development of the baby's

Folic acid is the form of folate found in vitamin supplements and fortified foods. Fortified foods, also called enriched foods, are foods that have specific nutrients added to them.

Neural tube defect happen when the tissues and bone around the brain and spine do not grow well. Neural tube can happen in the third and fourth week after conception (the first or second week after your first missed period). This could be before you know that you are pregnant.

Folic acid lowers the risk of your unborn baby having a neural tube defect. Neural tube are a group of serious birth defects that affect a baby's spinal cord, brain and skull. Some babies with severe Neural tube defect birth are stillborn or do not survive long after birth. Spina Bifida is the most common Neural tube defect.