The Nurse Is Teaching a Patient in the First Trimester

The nurse is teaching a patient in the first trimester of pregnancy about the importance of folic acid in the diet and how folic acid supplements might be beneficial. For which reason is the nurse teaching the patient about this vitamin?

A) Maintains energy throughout the pregnancy
B) Controls the risk of hypertension while pregnant
C) Prevents neural tube disorders in the developing fetus
D) Sustains a slow and steady weight gain while pregnant