A Dangerous Oversimplification: Why ACOG’s Folic Acid Message Misses the Mark

ACOG says folic acid matters “early in pregnancy.” The truth is, by then it may already be too late. Public health messages must tell the whole story—or risk preventable harm.

WARNING: This message is misleading

When a national organization like ACOG tells the public, “Take folic acid early in pregnancy,” it sounds reassuring. But here’s the problem: by the time most people even realize they are pregnant, the window for folic acid to prevent devastating birth defects may already have closed. A well-intentioned message becomes,…