Nurses have many opportunities to counsel patients on folic acid. Getting the message across to your patients about folic acid is very simple and takes only a few minutes to communicate.

Consider delivering the message during the following situations:  

• Before and/or after the patient sees the physician.
• While taking vital signs.
• During a gynecological exam, including Pap tests, family planning and STD checks.  
•  If a patient asks for information about fertility clinics, home pregnancy tests, pregnancy symptoms, home ovulation tests, etc. 
• During preconception counseling or negative pregnancy test.
• While conducting a follow-up exam after a spontaneous abortion, termination or childbirth.
• When a mother brings in her child for services.
• When a patient calls with follow-up questions after a visit.    

For example, add a folic acid message to your voicemail-

"You have reached ______, sorry I cannot take your call right now. Please leave your name and number and I will return your call as soon as possible. Did you know that folic acid may help prevent birth defects?  Taking a multivitamin containing 400 mcg of folic acid along with eating a healthful diet is adequate for most women.”

Spread the message about the importance of folic acid by including a folic acid message in your e-mail as a default signature-

"Did you know that folic acid may help prevent birth defects?  Taking a multivitamin containing 400 mcg of folic acid along with eating a healthy diet is adequate for most women."

Consider putting up posters about folic acid in the waiting area and in the examination room as well as stocking the brochure rack with materials about folic acid. These little things may not only act as visual reminders for you to counsel patients, but they also raise your patients’ awareness making counseling easier.

While it may seem daunting to try to squeeze in folic acid counseling during the course of a hectic day, its reward may be priceless – a healthy baby.