MUMS-to-be in South Ribble are being urged to pass the acid test to help ensure their babies are born healthy.

A major campaign funded by the Department of Health has been launched with the full backing of local health chiefs.

The campaign is amed at preventing neural tube defects (NTDs)in babies of which the most common form is spina bifida. The incidence of spina bifida and other NTDs is very low, but research shows increasing the intake of folic acid before conception and in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy helps reduce the possibility of such defects.

David Wilkes, prevention specialist at South Lancashire Health Authority, said: "It can be very difficult for some women to eat properly in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, principally due to sickness. This makes the use of supplements very important."

Women are advised to increase their intake of folic acid by an average of 400 micrograms a day.

Mr Wilkes said there are also many foods naturally rich in folic acid, including broccoli, yeast and beef extract, sprouts, granary bread and cooked black eyed beans.

But he added: "If women are able to plan their pregnancy, this gives them the opportunity to consider a number of issues such as not smoking, reducing alcohol intake, healthy diet, regular exercise and trying to relax more.

"However, considering only a third of pregnancies are actually planned, there can be difficulties with this approach."

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