Folic acid is an important prenatal vitamin for expecting mothers. It is also used by women who have recently given birth, or anyone who is interested in supporting their general health. This is because folic acid may help support reproductive health, bone health, immunity, mental function, and general well-being. Developing fetuses and newborn babies need specific nutritional support for their bones, eyes, immunity and nervous systems in addition to basic nutrition. Fortunately, there is significant overlap between the needs of the mother (and would-be mother) and developing fetuses and babies. Folic acid is equally important to both. The nutrient is essential for normal, healthy cell division. It helps support nerve and brain development. In fact, folic acid is so important to normal development that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends folic acid to most pregnant women to support healthy neural tube development. Folic acid has another very specific nutritional function in the body. It is required for the normal metabolism of homocysteine, which if not metabolized may reduce the health of the cardiovascular system.