A woman has come to the clinic for preconception counseling because she wants to start trying to get pregnant in 3 months. She asks the nurse: "One of my friends told me I need to take folic acid. Why do I have to do that?" The nurse's best response is:

Folic acid prevents neural tube defects like spina bifida.

Folic acid is used to treat certain types of anemia.

Folic acid is in enriched breads and cereals, so you do not need any extra in pregnancy.

Folic acid is not needed in pregnancy, so you do not need to take it. . .