Can Prenatals Help You Get Pregnant

Role Of Micronutrients In Fertility

Re: Can prenatal vitamins help if I am trying to get pregnant?

Because fertility is a complex equation, and each persons body is different, the science around micronutrients and conception is still, shall we say, in its infancy.

That said, some promising studies have begun to shed light on the role of vitamins in getting and staying pregnant.

Vitamins play important roles in female health. Theyre essential for many functions, including:

  • menstruation and ovulation
  • immune function
  • oocyte quality and maturation

So, adequate vitamin and mineral intake is critical when trying to create the right environment for a healthy pregnancy. Some nutrients may even reduce symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome , a common underlying cause of infertility.

In men, studies have shown certain supplements may increase sperm count and motility, helping the little swimmers reach their target.

Its important to remember, though, that more research is needed.

While promising, the majority of these studies were small and did not have rigorous methodology, says Dr. Tieraona Low Dog, chief medical adviser for MegaFood supplements.

Weve broken down some of the most popular supplements for fertility, with the deets on their use, effectiveness, and dosage.

Who its for: Men and women

Claimed fertility benefit: Helps sperm motility contains antioxidants that promote healthy female reproductive system

When you think vitamins, acetyl L-carnitine may not be the first to spring to mind. But that doesnt mean it shouldnt be on your radar.

Best Prenatal Vitamins Before Pregnancy

Congratulations, you are thinking about getting pregnant! Pregnancy is one of the most exciting times of your life, and you may be wonder, do prenatal vitamins help you get pregnant? However, the short answer is no they help prevent pregnancy complications, such as low birth weight and premature birth. Ultimately helping you experience a healthy pregnancy and childbirth.

Prenatal multivitamins may not help your chances of getting pregnant, but they reduce your chances of birth defects. Their use significantly helps reduce the likelihood of neural tube defects, spina bifida and is associates with a lower risk of miscarriage. Think of them as an extra insurance policy with essential nutrients that help fill the nutritional gap of your daily food intake.

We recommend you add a prenatal multivitamin before getting pregnant. While doing this may not make you pregnant, it may help prepare your body to nourish your eggs and aid your uterus to be in optimal condition for implantation. Here are the benefits of taking prenatal vitamins before pregnancy.

Benefits Of Folic Acid

Folic acid is a B vitamin that naturally occurs in both men and women to help generate new cells. Folic acid is a key component in all prenatal vitamins due to its benefits for fertility and pregnancy. Dr. Katherine Shepherd, obstetrician and gynecologist at INTEGRIS Womens Health Edmond, recommends women start taking prenatal vitamins or folic acid supplements at least one month prior to trying to conceive. However, because 50 percent of pregnancies are unplanned, Shepherd urges all women of childbearing age to take prenatal vitamins daily.

Fertility and Folic Acid

More than 12 percent of women between the ages of 15 and 54 experience problems with fertility. Consuming high levels of folic acid can potentially reduce ovulation problems in healthy women who are trying to conceive. However, Shepherd says the research to support folic acids impact on female fertility is not extensive. If you have been trying to conceive for more than six months, consider consulting a gynecologist or fertility specialist.

Pregnancy and Folic Acid

There are 3,000 cases of neural tube defects in the United States each year. NTDs occur when the developing neural tube does not close properly in the first month of pregnancy, leaving part of the spinal cord exposed, which causes severe developmental defects in the spine and brain. According to the Center for Disease Control, women who consume 400 micrograms of folic acid per day prior to conceiving have a lower risk of NTDs.

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Our Recommended 10 Best Prenatal Vitamins For Trying To Conceive Reviews 2022

  • Perfect for before, during, and after pregnancy
  • Contains no artificial dyes or colors, flavors or preservatives
  • Just one tablet a day offers the perfect balance of essential vitamins
  • Comes in a small, easy-to-swallow tablet for sensitive stomachs.
  • Recommended by the American Pregnancy Association
  • Fertility support: Provide essential vitamins and nutrients to support ovulation and sperm count + quality. These sweets are designed to support both female and male fertility. 30 individually-wrapped sweets with natural strawberry pomegranate flavor.
  • Sweet + convenient: Provide on-the-go fertility support. Individually and discreetly wrapped.
  • 100% organic + clean: Made without gluten, wheat, dairy, sugars/sweeteners, soy, GMOs, + more.
  • All the essentials: Include ingredients, such as Folate , Zinc, and Vitamin B6, to support natural conception, fertility, and hormonal function.
  • Women-owned + run: Our founder and CEO is a woman, and over 80% of our employees are women. We are on a mission to provide women with hope and positively impact everyone that comes in contact with Pink Stork.

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What Can Improve Your Chances Of Conception

10 Best Prenatal Vitamins That Can Help Get Pregnant ...

Though taking a prenatal before and while youre trying to get pregnant likely wont impact your chances of conception, there are some steps you can take to increase those odds:

  • Tracking your cycle: Conception is only possible during a narrow window of the cycle, with the likelihood being highest the day before ovulation itself. Because luteinizing hormone peaks before ovulation, tracking your LH can give you insight into when you may ovulate. If youre looking for science-backed ways to track LH, we recommend using an ovulation test that measures LH.
  • Timing intercourse or insemination based on ovulation: Knowing when your fertile window is means you can pinpoint when intercourse and insemination are most likely to result in sperm and egg meeting.
  • Getting off birth control a few months early: Data show that birth control use has no long-term impact on fertility, but there are some methods associated with a slightly longer return to ovulation than others, like the implant and injectable. Because it may take a few months to get back to your pre-birth control cycles after stopping, it may be helpful to stop using birth control a little earlier than immediately before you want to start trying to conceive.
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    How Are Prenatal Vitamins Different From Traditional Multivitamins

    Lots of different prenatal vitamin types are available on the market. While theres not a specific formulation for all prenatal vitamins, youll likely find that prenatal vitamins contain at least these key nutrients:

    Calcium. According to the Mayo Clinic, pregnant and adult women need 1,000 milligrams of calcium daily. Prenatal vitamins typically have between 200 and 300 mg of calcium. This contributes to a womans calcium requirements but doesnt account for all of her daily calcium needs. Calcium is important for all women because it keeps their bones strong.

    Folic acid. Taking in enough folic acid is linked with reducing neural tube defects like spina bifida. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant women take in 600 micrograms of folic acid every day from all sources. Since it may be difficult to get this much folic acid from foods alone, a supplement is recommended.

    Foods that have folic acid include beans, leafy green vegetables, asparagus, and broccoli. Many fortified foods including cereal, bread, and pasta have folate too.

    Iron. This mineral is necessary to create new red blood cells in the body. Because a woman increases her blood volume during pregnancy, iron is a must-have. According to the Mayo Clinic, pregnant women need 27 mg of iron a day. This is 8 mg more than women who arent pregnant.

    Prenatal vitamins often contain other vitamins and minerals. These could include:

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    Will Taking Prenatal Vitamins Increase Your Chances Of Getting Pregnant

    Sorry to break it to you but taking your prenatal vitamin wont make you any more likely to get pregnant.

    Prenatal vitamins will, however, make it significantly more likely that you experience a healthy pregnancy. So, we recommend that you add prenatals into your trying to conceive journey, but dont expect them to be magic fertility pills.

    Taking a prenatal vitamin is also healthy for someone not looking to conceive. While it wont support fertility, it will replenish folic acid, iron, vitamin D, and calcium stores in the body. This can help keep you strong and prevent potential health complications in an unexpected pregnancy.

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    Where To Get Pregnancy Supplements

    You can get supplements from pharmacies and supermarkets, or a GP may be able to prescribe them for you.

    If you want to get your folic acid from a multivitamin tablet, make sure the tablet does not contain vitamin A .

    You may be able to get free vitamins if you qualify for the Healthy Start scheme.

    Find out more about the Healthy Start scheme.

    Can Prenatals Help Me Get Pregnant

    can prenatal vitamins help you get pregnant

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    . Also know, do prenatal vitamins make you more fertile?

    Taking a prenatal vitamin is perfectly healthy for someone not looking to conceive. While it won’t support fertility, it will replenish folic acid, iron, vitamin D, and calcium stores in the body. This can help keep you strong and prevent potential health complications in an unexpected pregnancy.

    Also Know, what pills can help you get pregnant? Types of fertility drugs for women

    • Metformin : This can decrease insulin resistance.
    • Dopamine agonists: These drugs reduce levels of a hormone called prolactin.
    • Clomiphene : This drug can trigger ovulation.
    • Letrozole : Like clomiphene, letrozole can trigger ovulation.

    Also to know is, how can I boost my fertility?

    17 Natural Ways to Boost Fertility

  • Eat Foods That Are Rich in Antioxidants. Antioxidants like folate and zinc may improve fertility for both men and women .
  • Eat a Bigger Breakfast.
  • Choose High-Fat Diary.
  • Why do Prenatals help you get pregnant?

    Prenatal vitamins are supplements that contain daily vitamins and minerals you need before and during your pregnancy. Taking 400 mcg of folic acid every day for at least 1 month before and during pregnancy can help lower the risk for problems with the baby’s brain and spine called neural tube defects .

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    The Importance Of Prenatal Vitamins For Pregnant Women

    Prenatal vitamins are a vital part of a womans diet during her first trimester, when her body is most trying. In this time of need, as well as at other times, there are importance of taking in enough vitamins and minerals to avoid any harm. Vitamins are important for four main reasons:

    • Adult

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    Prenatals: Slicing The Risk Of Anovulation In Half

    Infertility due to anovulation is one of the biggest reasons for not getting pregnant. Its probably one of the first things your doctor will investigate when you go to your WTF, why am I not pregnant yet-appointment after a year of trying.

    Because when youre not ovulating, you cant get pregnant. Its as simple as that. So making sure you ovulate is *crucial* when you want to have a baby.

    Have you ever heard of the Nurses Health Study? Its an enormous Harvard study where nurses were followed for many years. Researchers looked at many things in this study, including fertility.

    Researchers found that women who took a prenatal every day had a 41% lower risk of anovulation, a.k.a. not ovulating.2 Thats close to 50%! In other words, taking a multivitamin seems to severely reduce the risk of having menstrual cycle problems. And when your cycle is nice and steady, the odds of conceiving are higher too.

    In another recent study from Denmark,3 women who were trying to get pregnant were asked if they took a prenatal vitamin. Turns out that for each cycle of trying to get pregnant, women taking a prenatal had about a 15% higher chance of getting pregnant.

    Thats quite a nice boost for just 1 simple pill! And guess what women with irregular, long, or short cycles benefited the most!

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    What Do Prenatal Vitamins Do

    If youre wondering, What do prenatal vitamins do?Do prenatal vitamins substitute a healthy diet? read on.

    Prenatal vitamins are not substitutes for a healthy diet, as you still need to consume foods rich in nutrients and minerals. They help maintain the vitamins and nutrients your body needs to support your pregnancy.

    Be sure to discuss with your doctor to determine when to start taking prenatal vitamins and which formulas they recommend. If you take more than the recommended dose, you can harm your baby. Some of their nutrients include:

    • Folic acid: It is a B vitamin that pregnant women need to help their baby grow and develop. It can also prevent birth defects. You can take between 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid every day.
    • Iron: Patients need to take 27 milligrams of iron a day, asit supplies oxygen to the fetus and supports the placentas development. It can also prevent anemia, a condition in which you dont have enough healthy red blood cells.
    • Calcium: We recommend taking 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day. This helps the baby to develop its bones, muscles, and teeth.
    • Docosahexaenoic acid : This is an omega-3 fatty acid that can prevent pregnancy-related complications.
    • Zinc: It reduces preterm births.
    • Vitamin A: Helps with eye development. Patients can take e700mcg a day. If you take it in large doses it can cause birth defects.

    Can I Just Take Folic Acid Instead Of Prenatal Vitamins

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    Prenatal vitamins shouldn’t replace a well-balanced diet. But taking them can give your body and your baby an added boost of vitamins and minerals. Some health care providers recommend taking a folic acid supplement in addition to a prenatal vitamin. Talk to your doctor about your daily folic acid intake.

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    What To Do When Trying To Conceive

    If youre pregnant or trying to conceive, you should avoid smoking or drinking alcohol. Smoking and drinking can have harmful effects on your unborn baby and can also affect your chances of conception

    If youre trying to get pregnant, its best to maintain a healthy weight in order to reduce the chances of pregnancy complications. A persons weight is generally considered healthy when their BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9. Its been found that having a BMI of over 30 can decrease a persons chances of becoming pregnant

    Is It Safe To Take A Prenatal When Youre Not Pregnant Yet

    The very first thing you might ask yourself when youre planning to have a baby is: what can I do to make sure that me and my future bubs are as healthy as possible?

    While this article lists all the benefits of taking a prenatal when youre not pregnant yet, you also need to know if its even safe to do so. After all, prenatals are mostly developed for women who are already pregnant.

    Well, the CDC recommends that all women of reproductive age take 400 micrograms of folic acid each day, not just women who are already pregnant!

    Also, the Mayo clinic states that its generally a good idea for women of reproductive age to regularly take a prenatal vitamin.

    The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists also thinks starting early with prenatals is a great idea. They recommend taking a prenatal vitamin at least 1 month before becoming pregnant, but since you cant predict whats going to happen in the future, its a good bet to start when you start trying for a baby. Besides, you want to start early as Ill show you what the science says about how a good prenatal vitamin can actually improve your chances of becoming pregnant faster!

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    The Good The Bad And The Ugly

    If you have decided to start taking a prenatal vitamin, there are some things you should know. Weve said it before, and well say it again: prenatals are great and super important for your health and the health of your baby. Its been shown that taking prenatal vitamins can significantly reduce infant morbidity and mortality, and all the vitamins and minerals youre taking are creating the brain, spinal cord, bones, and teeth of your mini-me.

    So, what could possibly be the bad or the ugly? Its unlikely, but prenatals can also bring negative side such as constipation or nausea. If youre worried about any negative effects, you can learn how to manage them here.

    What Impacts My Fertility

    Can Prenatal Vitamins Help You Get Pregnant

    There are a lot of factors that contribute to your fertility. You and your partners age, medical history, and family history are top factors to consider when thinking about how long it will take you to get pregnant. For a healthy woman in her 20s or early 30s, the chance of conceiving each month is 25%-30%.

    Here are lifestyle factors you can control when trying to conceive:

  • Eat healthily
  • Limit caffeine use to one cup per day
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    Tips For Taking Prenatal Vitamins

    Suspicious that your prenatals are upsetting your stomach? There are ways you can minimize some of the more unpleasant effects.

    • Ask your doctor about switching to another brand. Sometimes, a prenatal is formulated in a way that just doesnt sit right with you.
    • Try a different method. Prenatals are often available as capsules, beverages, gummies, and even protein shakes and ingesting them differently can aid the digestive process. Try switching from one large capsule to three gummies per day or splitting up two doses 12 hours apart.
    • Drink lots of water before and after. If youre having constipation, make sure you keep your GI system flushed out. You can also add a fiber supplement if youre really feeling backed up .
    • Experiment with food. If your vitamins are making you nauseated, try taking them with or without food. For some people, taking vitamins on an empty stomach is irritating others find that they can only take them on an empty stomach.

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