Supplements To Avoid While Pregnant Or Breastfeeding
While the vitamins and supplements above are generally considered safe for pregnant and nursing mothers, others should be avoided.
Certain vitamins, plants, and herbs can potentially be harmful while pregnant or breastfeeding. Thats why you must always let your doctor know about any supplements you take.
Prenatals: Improving Egg Quality
Youre born with all the eggs that youll ever have. But that doesnt mean that all your eggs are of perfect quality. Egg quality decreases as we age. Its just a fact of life. But luckily, research has shown that we can help those little eggies along a bit. Help them develop into the best versions of themselves.
So how do prenatals help improve your egg quality?
Well, a research study showed that women undergoing infertility treatments tended to have lower levels of micronutrients and antioxidants. Were talking about lower levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and trace elements such as zinc, selenium, Vitamins B2, B6, C, E, and folate.5,6,7
That doesnt sound very good, right? Luckily theres some good news. If youre undergoing IVF and youve been wondering if you should ditch your vitamins not so fast!
Researchers found that a multivitamin can help restore these micronutrient levels in women undergoing IVF.7
And not just that, but research tells us that supplementation with a multivitamin can have a positive influence on both egg quality and embryo quality.7,8 In other words, eggs that fertilize and develop into embryos are of higher quality.
This brings me to the next part, can prenatal vitamins help you stay pregnant?
How To Choose A Prenatal Vitamin
Choosing which prenatal vitamin to take can feel like an overwhelming task, but the most important thing to remember is simply that you should take one. Prenatals are an essential part of a healthy pregnancy and there are lots of options to discuss with your doctor are having trouble deciding which is best for you.
Below are the recommended guidelines for key vitamins and minerals during pregnancy, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians & Gynecologists.
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What Recognised Standards Should I Look For On Fertility Supplements
If you do decide to take fertility vitamins and supplements when trying for a baby, it is important to only take ones with recognised standards, as such supplements can vary significantly in quality. Vitamins that come under the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority or the Traditional Herbal Registration are among the best to take, as they are regulated and contain what they say on the label.
Between 10-20% of women who would like to become pregnant wont get pregnant within the first year of trying.
Monday 14 August 2017
Once you get pregnant, youre likely to be bombarded with advice from everyone you know . From what you should eat and drink, to what to expect from pregnancy and birth, or what products to buy and what to run from chances are there is a lot of well-meaning but overwhelming advice coming your way.
One thing that expecting mothers might hear about is supplements. Below, weve listed the supplements pregnant women should be taking during pregnancy and why.
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Try Not To Worry Too Much
Studies show that extreme stress can lower your chances of getting pregnant by causing hormone levels to go haywire and decreasing cervical mucus. Were talking about high anxiety here not run-of-the-mill frustrations like a demanding boss or tantrum-ing toddler.
But even if youre not at freak-out levels, it cant hurt to keep your nerves in check by avoiding work overloads, hitting a yoga or Zumba class, listening to music or venting to your partner or a sympathetic pal. Another plus to finding time for R& R now: Once you do make and deliver a baby, me time will be a whole lot harder to nab.
Prenatals: Decreasing Miscarriage Rates And Other Benefits
Lets talk about the risk of miscarriage. Because unfortunately, 1 in 4 pregnancies end in a loss. Many happen in those early weeks when some dont even realize theyre pregnant yet.
And its these early days that are perhaps the most crucial. Well, not only do prenatals have a great safety record, they have actually been shown to significantly decrease the risk of both miscarriage as well as stillbirth.
A recent study from Michigan and Texas found that a really important thing you can do to avoid a pregnancy loss is taking a multivitamin before even getting pregnant. In fact, this cut the risk of miscarriage in half!9
And other studies agree too. Take for example this one enormous study from 2016 looking at 40 separate trials involving almost 300,000 women. Yes 300,000 women! They found that the risk of both stillbirth and miscarriage is lower in women taking prenatal multivitamins.10
There are other benefits too. Another study found that multivitamin use during pregnancy is very much recommended because it substantially lowers the risk of many birth defects, mostly thanks to folate. That includes a lower risk of having a baby with low birth weight, neural tube defects, urine tract defects, heart defects, and the risk of limb defects is much lower too. Theres even a lower risk of autism!11
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Picking The Best One: Folic Acid Or Methylfolate
Needless to say, a prenatal multivitamin is an awesome way of lowering the risk of miscarriage and making sure that when you do become pregnant, your developing little peanut remains healthy.
But there are many different kinds. Which one is best? What ingredients should a prenatal contain?
Prenatal vitamins contain essential minerals such as iron and magnesium, and antioxidants such as vitamin B12, vitamin C and D and riboflavin. All of these are really important to help your body and reproductive system stay in balance and protect the growing egg and embryo.
But perhaps the most important ingredient in a prenatal multivitamin is folate. Most prenatals contain the synthetic form of folate called folic acid. Some others contain methylfolate , which is a more natural form of folic acid.
But does natural equal better? Most research has been conducted on the synthetic form and we know just how safe it is and how it can protect your future baby from a whole bunch of problems in development.
The difference between the two is that folic acid requires an extra step by an enzyme in your body to convert it to methylfolate, whereas methylfolate is, well, methylfolate already! If you have a gene mutation called MTHFR then your body isnt as good at doing this folic acid to methylfolate conversion by itself. Hispanic populations are most likely to have this gene variant at about 25% of women.12
What Vitamins Help You Get Pregnant
Best fertility vitamins are essential for women. They provide the best nutrients and health to stay physically fit and conceive. A healthy diet on a daily basis is essential to acquire benefits. It is also important that crucial vitamins from diet also provide daily health that strengthens to achieve a successful and healthy pregnancy.
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Did you know that there are vitamins for fertility? Vitamin deficiency can significantly lower the chances of getting pregnant which is why ensuring adequate supply of nutrients through diet or vitamins is essential on a daily basis. Some of the essential vitamins that are required for your body are:
- Folic acid
- E Vitamin
- Choline
Lets find out about each vitamin and its benefits that deliver value to your health and also bring benefits.
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Quality Health For All
Searching for vitamins to get pregnant fast? Lets begin this post by stating an obvious fact. Many couples want to have babies, but not all of them will achieve this goal easily. Studies show that about 20% of women have to continue trying after the first year.
Several issues may cause infertility problems including lack of the necessary vitamins. You should note that there are specific vitamins to get pregnant fast. Nutrition plays a huge role in ensuring that you get pregnant.
In this post, we will discuss different vitamins for both women and men. But first, lets look at how these nutrients influence your chances of fertility.
Why It Is Important To Do This Review
Several existing systematic reviewsmany of which include trials conducted in LMICshave examined the impact of single and multiple micronutrient supplementation interventions in pregnancy . However, among the reported results, significant heterogeneity exists this has not yet been explained by subgroup analysis. Further, for several micronutrient supplementation interventions, such as folic acid supplementation for maternal health outcomes and calcium supplementation for pregnancy and infant outcomes, there are inconclusive results that necessitate further investigation. Recently, concerns have been raised regarding the safety of iron supplementation in women with high hemoglobin concentrations, and the potentially negative long-term consequences that unabsorbed iron may have on child morbidity . Moreover, many of the systematic reviews are several years old, highlighting the need for current and updated evidence, including newly completed trial data. This is especially important given the constantly changing nutrition landscape globally and the growing triple burden of obesity, malnutrition and micronutrient deficiency. Lastly, there is a gap in research examining the effectiveness of antenatal micronutrient supplementation interventions in a real world setting.
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Calcium Supplementation Versus Placebo
Five studies assessed calcium supplementation in pregnant women of which, four were included in the meta-analysis . Two of these studies were conducted in Latin America and the Caribbean , and one study took place in South Asia . The fourth study was a multi-country study that was conducted in Peru, South Africa, Vietnam, and India . Jarjou et al. was excluded on the basis that no common outcomes of interest were reported and could not be pooled with other studies however, the paper was narratively synthesized .
Calcium supplementation, compared to placebo, did not impact the risk of having a low birthweight baby , stillbirths , preterm births , or Caesarean section as a mode of delivery .
However, calcium supplementation may have improved the risk of maternal pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, although the upper limit of the confidence interval just crossed the line of no effect . In a post-hoc analysis, studies that provided only calcium to mothers showed a greater reduction in the risk of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia compared to studies that provided additional micronutrients .
Forest plot for comparison calcium supplementation versus no calcium/placebo on the risk of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia in mothers during pregnancy.
No subgroup analysis for primary outcomes was conducted for this comparison due to an insufficient number of studies per subgroup of interest.
Vitamin D In Pregnancy
You need 10 micrograms of vitamin D each day and should consider taking a supplement containing this amount between September and March.
Vitamin D regulates the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, which are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. Our bodies make vitamin D when our skin is exposed to summer sunlight .
It’s not known exactly how much time is needed in the sun to make enough vitamin D to meet the body’s needs, but if you’re in the sun take care to cover up or protect your skin with sunscreen before you start to turn red or burn.
Vitamin D is also in some foods, including:
- oily fish
- eggs
- red meat
Vitamin D is added to some breakfast cereals, fat spreads and non-dairy milk alternatives. The amounts added to these products can vary and might only be small.
Because vitamin D is only found in a small number of foods, whether naturally or added, it is difficult to get enough from foods alone.
Do not take more than 100 micrograms of vitamin D a day as it could be harmful.
You can get vitamin supplements containing vitamin D free of charge if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding and qualify for the Healthy Start scheme.
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The Best Prenatal Vitamins To Help With Your Pregnancy
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Pregnancy is no easy job! The morning sickness, lethargy, cravings, acid reflux, and body changes can really wreak havoc on us nevermind the hormones!
Besides this, we moms worry about our health! Are we eating right? Are we getting enough nutrients? What else can we do to keep healthy and give our new baby the best start in life?
There is one thing you can do to boost your nutrition, though! Prenatal supplements help make a difference by providing you with vital vitamins and minerals for development and health.
Here are some of the best prenatal vitamins on the market! Please do remember to consult your doctor and get the go-ahead before you start taking any supplements during pregnancy, though.
Do I Need To Take Supplements
It’s recommended that all pregnant women in Australia take folic acid, iodine and vitamin D supplements.
Having a healthy diet is important and should provide you with the other nutrients you need. Check the Australian Dietary Guidelines for more advice. However, some pregnant women may need supplements of other nutrients besides folic acid, iodine and vitamin D.
If you have a known deficiency, your doctor might advise you to take a supplement. For example:
- if you are vegetarian or vegan and not getting enough vitamin B12
- if you don’t get enough calcium, which is vital for bone health, from dairy or other calcium-rich foods
- if you are low in iron
- if you may be low in omega-3 fatty acids, e.g. if you eat very little seafood
If you’re not sure whether you need a supplement, talk to your doctor.
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The Best Vitamins For Female Fertility
As well as a healthy balanced diet and an active and healthy lifestyle, there are a number of vitamins that have been identified as really aiding female fertility. Whilst they are certainly not essential for conception, if taken at the appropriate dose, they can increase your chances.
Folic Acid
Folic acid is an important vitamin, not only for women trying to conceive, but during the first three months of pregnancy. Folic acid can help increase your chances of becoming pregnant and is an important nutrient in helping the babys spine develop the way it should. It is recommended that women trying to conceive take at least 400 micrograms of folic acid daily and continue taking this supplement for the first three months of the pregnancy.
Studies have shown that folic acid also has fertility benefits for men, increasing the quality and quantity of sperm.
Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 is a natural antioxidant, which is found in many foods and available as a supplement. Our bodies make CoQ10 and our cells use it to produce the energy the body needs for cell growth and maintenance. Studies have found that CoQ10 supplements in older women trying to conceive can improve their chances of pregnancy success.
Omega 3 Fatty Acid
By regulating the hormones, promoting ovulation and increasing cervical mucus, as well as the flow of blood to the reproductive organs Omega 3 Fatty Acid has been scientifically proven to help fertility.
Iron
Calcium
Vitamin D
Vitamin B6
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Selenium
Risks Of Taking Supplements
While most vitamins are sold over the counter, theyre not necessarily risk-free. Many supplements can negatively interact with medications you may already be taking, causing unpleasant side effects or aggravating existing health conditions.
Though it may sound far-fetched to overdose on vitamins, its also possible to take in excessive doses to the point of harm. Some micronutrients have set tolerable upper intake levels meaning the amount you can consume before experiencing adverse effects.
To avoid overstepping these bounds, follow dosage instructions on the supplements label, and always consult your doctor before beginning a new vitamin or supplement.
Its also important to note that the Food and Drug Administration does not monitor or regulate vitamins or supplements for quality like it does for medications. Quality may not be consistent from batch to batch. This is why finding a reputable brand is so important.
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Cut Down Your Caffeine Intake And Cut Out Other Vices
Theres a whole host of studies showing that too much caffeine and alcohol can derail your campaign to conceive. So if you really want to get pregnant soon, limit your caffeine intake to about 200 milligrams per day which is the equivalent of about two cups of coffee.
But cut out alcohol altogether it can do a number on both female and male fertility. And though it probably goes without saying, nix nicotine now if you havent already. It can cause major cell damage to your eggs and increase the chances of miscarriage once you do get pregnant.
When To Be Extra Cautious With Fertility Supplements
Buying fertility supplements can be tricky, but if you are planning to take fertility supplements, you need to be cautious. Avoid buying a fertility supplement in the following cases.
- The online store or website of the company seems sketchy. It has the wrong spellings and random images.
- The box mentions research-proven but does not specify the research and the time when and where it was conducted.
- The box of the supplements says recommended by doctors but doesnt carry any official logo of the organisation.
- The supplement proudly gives the guarantee of curing infertility.
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How Do I Choose A Prenatal Vitamin
First, look at whats in it. Ideally, choose a prenatal vitamin that contains micronutrients that are important to promote fetal development and maternal health, says Dr. Samuel. The most famously important of these is folic acid, which reduces the risk of neural tube defects . A 2018 meta-analysis in Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics found that taking folate or folic acid supplements during pregnancy might also lower the risk of preeclampsia, a condition of abnormally high blood pressure which can be risky for the parent and fetus.
The food-based version of folic acid is folate, but supplementation is key during pregnancy because it can be difficult to get enough folate through food. Luckily, youd be hard-pressed to find a prenatal that isnt rich in this nutrient.
Prenatal vitamins with iron are also super important, as iron promotes the health and development of the placenta. You also want ones that are easy on the GI system and affordable, says Dr. Samuel, since youll be taking these every day for at least nine months.
Beyond that? I look specifically for prenatals that contain vitamins A, B, C, D, E, zinc, and iodine, says Dr. Samuel. Get one that contains those, folate, and DHA , and youll be in great shape for your reproductive life.
