Spina bifida is the most common, permanently disabling birth defect in the United States. It is a birth defect that involves incomplete formation of the spine during the first month of pregnancy--often before a woman even knows she is pregnant. Everyday, an average of eight babies are born with spina bifida or a similar birth defect of the brain and spine. All 65 million women of childbearing age are at risk for having a pregnancy affected by spina bifida. Women who have a child with spina bifida, have spinal bifida themselves, or already had a pregnancy affected by any neural tube defect are at greater risk of having a child affected by spina bifida or another neural tube defect. This article discusses the importance of folic acid intake by women of childbearing age as a way of preventing disabilities in children. Taking the B-vitamin folic acid daily reduces the risk of spina bifida and other neural tube defects.