It is recommended to start taking folic acid at least 2 to 3 months before trying to get pregnant. This allows folic acid to build up in your body to a level that provides the most protection against neural tube defects in the baby, which occur very early in pregnancy, around 28 days after conception. Since it is possible to get pregnant within a month of trying, starting folic acid early is important. If folic acid is started after stopping contraception, it is still beneficial to begin as soon as possible. Folic acid itself does not help you get pregnant faster, but it is essential for reducing risks of birth defects and miscarriage, so it is advised to take it while trying to conceive and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.