Final Thoughts On Prenatal Vitamins
Though prenatal vitamins wont affect your likelihood of conceiving, they may help you fill up micronutrient shortages to support your health throughout pregnancy and fetal growth. Pregnancy and lactation (whether or not you are breastfeeding are connected with a wide variety of physiological changes, that assist the growth and development of a baby. Thus it should be no surprise that dietary requirements shift during this time. Prenatal vitamins is designed with these fluctuating nutritional requirements, making them essential before, during, and after pregnancy.
Learn more about your cycle and when you are most fertile with our Australian Fertility Kits.
Are There Prenatal Supplements For Vegetarians Or Vegans
Vegans and vegetarians often have gaps in their diet, due to a lack of meat or animal products. An example of this is vitamin B12 which is mainly found in animal products and iron is rich in meats. For this reason, they may benefit more from a broad prenatal plus individual vitamin tablets, such as iron tablets. Some prenatal supplements cater to vegans and vegetarians, with vegan sourced ingredients and tailored micronutrients.
Are Fertility Supplements Evidence
An evidence-based practicewhether it be a medication, intervention or therapy, complementary treatment, or even the way a provider communicates about careis a practice thats been thoroughly examined via appropriate research and found to make a significant difference in patient outcomes. Evidence-based is the gold standard in healthcare. Are fertility supplements evidence-based? Overwhelmingly, no.
Fertility supplements, like all nutritional supplements, are not regulated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other regulating body. That means that no one is keeping track of whats in these supplements, let alone checking that they actually do what they claim to do. Unlike over-the-counter or prescription medications, fertility supplements are not required to prove their effectiveness via clinical trials .
In one review of 39 womens fertility supplements available on the market, researchers found that not a single manufacturer provided any reasonable scientific substantiation that its products help women become pregnant. To quote those researchers:
So, whats a savvy consumer and hopeful parent to do? Remember that, when it comes to fertility supplements, you and/or your doctor will need to do your own research into the evidence to support the use of particular ingredients. This guide is a great place to start.
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Taking Prenatal Vitamins While Trying To Conceive: Do They Help
Shelby Hale
Prenatal vitamins are a must for any pregnancy. But did you know that they can support your TTC journey, too?
In this article, well shed light on how prenatal vitamins are related to getting pregnant, why you should start taking them long before you get pregnant, and how the key ingredients work to support fertility and pregnancy. Well also cover some of your most frequently asked questions about the practicalities of taking prenatal vitamins.
Do Prenatal Vitamins Make You Fertile
The short answer is no. Even though prenatal vitamins dont make you fertile, prepping your body with prenatal vitamins to get pregnant is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your growing family. If you’re planning on getting pregnant, you should start taking a prenatal vitamin three months before conception. A developing baby strives off a well nourished body.
Here are more advantages of taking prenatal vitamins before pregnancy.
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Prenatal Vitamins Vs Fertility Supplements
Prenatal vitamins are taken during pregnancy to support the growth and development of a fetus in the womb. Prenatal vitamins dont improve fertilitythats not what theyre intended to do. While prenatals are recommended for IVF patients, thats because its best to start them about 3 months prior to pregnancy, and IVF patients are typically hoping to get pregnant within that time frame.
PS: The most important ingredient in prenatal vitamins is folic acid or folate, which has been shown in many, many studies to prevent fetal neural tube defects which can be devastating. The reason neural tube defects are so rare in the developed world is almost exclusively due to the widespread use of prenatal vitamins along with folate enrichment in foods like bread and cereal.
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We Don’t Know If Those Same Micronutrients Can Have An Impact On Conception
Despite all we know about how micronutrients may affect reproductive function on a cellular level, theres a surprising gap of research on how micronutrients may affect chances of conception in humans in the real world and, to our knowledge, there havent been any clinical trials run by prenatal manufacturers on whether prenatals are associated with higher pregnancy rates or shorter time to pregnancy. In terms of pregnancy loss? Studies found no association between prenatal vitamins and lowered miscarriage rates.
There have been some studies looking at whether taking multivitamins or specific micronutrients may impact chances of conception, but were still far from being able to say that any specific vitamin formulation or individual micronutrient actually boosts chances of conception. Until large-scale randomized controlled trials systematically compare pregnancy rates or time to conception in people who do and do not use micronutrient supplements, the jurys out on whether they have an effect.
Scientists at the Center for Science in the Public Interest dug for evidence of effectiveness for 39 different womens fertility supplements . A minority of companies referenced scientific studies, but not a single referenced study found positive effects on ovulation, time to pregnancy, or pregnancy outcomes in women.Our suggestion? Approach any supplements that make these sorts of claims with a critical eye.
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We Do Know That The Micronutrients In Prenatal Vitamins Can Support A Healthy Pregnancy*
Micronutrients play important roles for a whole range of physiological processes, including reproductive function and theres no shortage of lab studies on how micronutrients may affect processes that are crucial to conception. One prenatal micronutrient in particular, folate, is backed by decades of lab research as well as real-world effectiveness.
Multiple randomized controlled trials have demonstrated the efficacy of supplementation of folate’s synthetic form, folic acid, for supporting fetal neural tube development.* In fact, in the mid-1980s, researchers started running a study on folic acid supplementation around the time of conception, spanning 33 centers and seven countries. Their goal was to study 2,000 people, but they ended up stopping the study early because folic acid supplementation had such a large positive effect they thought it was only right to give it to all participants. That’s when it was first discovered just how crucial folate is for fetal neurodevelopment.*
These findings spurred the creation of mandatory food-fortification campaigns. Folic acid began getting added to things like grains, whole grains, cereal, and flour in the US in 1996, and a decade later, the World Health Organization and United Nations published guidelines to help countries determine their folic acid fortification strategies. After folic acid enrichment of grains was mandated in the US, the prevalence of infants born with neural tube defects decreased by 36%.
Dont Forget These Other Sperm
These other fertility foods may also belong on the menu when youre trying to conceive:
- Oysters. Were not sure if oysters are an aphrodisiac, but we do know that their zinc content pumps up the production of sperm and testosterone. If your partners not a fan, he can get his share of zinc from lean beef, poultry, dairy, nuts or eggs, though oysters have the highest concentration of this nutrient.
- Fruits and veggies. Produce is rich in the vitamins that can help protect sperm from cellular damage. He can get folate from leafy greens men who dont get enough of this B vitamin tend to have sperm with abnormal chromosomes. Citrus fruits, tomatoes and berries provide vitamin C, which can boost sperm quality. Carrots, red peppers and apricots have lots of vitamin A, which keeps sperm from getting sluggish. Sweet potatoes are rich in all three folate, A and C!
- Pomegranate juice may up sperm count and quality, per some animal studies. While it remains to be seen if it has the same effects on humans, you can always try swapping out the usual morning glass of OJ.
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Prenatal Vitamins: Everything You Need To Know
We discuss various nutrients and dietary supplements in this article that may or may not be helpful. If you purchase recommended products, services, or treatments, it may benefit CNY Fertility financially. Read more about our financial relationships here. The supplements discussed in this article are not intended to treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, take any medications, or have been diagnosed with a medical condition, consult with a healthcare provider before taking any dietary supplement.
When you are pregnant and breastfeeding, your body requires heightened levels of specific nutrients. Most of these nutrients can be found in foods, but it is extremely difficult to ensure appropriate levels through diet alone. Prenatal vitamins can help to support a healthy diet and provide your body with the vitamins and minerals it needs to support a healthy pregnancy and developing baby. In this article, we will discuss the most important nutrients during pregnancy, when to start taking them, the supplements we recommend at CNY Fertility, and more.
Does Crushing Smashing Or Putting Prenatal Vitamins In Shampoo For Hair Growth Work
Some users claim that smashing or crushing the supplement pills in shampoo or soap may help. This probably may not be helpful.
Prenatal vitamins need to be absorbed by living cells of the dermal papillae and not the dead cells of the hair follicle. The active form of the vitamin also needs to be absorbed by the cells and not a degraded less bioactive product as a result of oxidative effect of UV which is in the environment. UV has been shown to degrade folic acid into its less active metabolites and non-bioactive form of folic acid. The bioactive form of folic acid is methyl tetrahydrofolate. This is the compound that is required for the synthesis of DNA. UVA radiation showed that UVR exposure results in the cleavage of folic acid to form p-aminiobenzoyl-L-glutamic acid and 6-forml pterin
To add, these vitamins are protein coated and are not formulated in their free form as derived from dietary sources. For instance, vitamin B 12 in its protein bound form it should first be degraded by proteases in the stomach and the duodenum. Afterwards it will bind to the R-binder in the walls of the duodenum. In the duodenum, it will undergo further degradation. After the second phase in the duodenum, the pancreas then secretes proteases that degrade the R-binders holding the vitamin B 12.
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What You Should Look For In A Prenatal Vitamin
Now that we know the importance of beginning prenatal vitamins as early as possible, let’s take a look at what you should be looking for in a prenatal vitamin and why.
NOTE: Each of the vitamins and minerals below have an RDI value. RDIs are provided for vitamins and minerals for pregnant and lactating women and can be found on the ‘Supplement Facts’ label on the bottle. The value is what your body should be getting from all sources , it is not necessarily the value that should be in a prenatal vitamin alone. For example, the RDI for vitamin A is 8000 IU, and you may get half of this from your diet and half from a supplement.
But Why The Sudden Weight Gain
If you experience sudden weight gain at any point throughout your pregnancy, visit your doctor as soon as possible. If combined with a severe persistent headache, visual changes, or right upper abdominal pain, this could signify preeclampsia .
Preeclampsia is nothing to mess with. It can have severe effects on both you and your baby, such as low birth weight, miscarriage, stillbirth, seizures, and even maternal death.
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Are There Any Side Effects To Taking Prenatal Vitamins
The dosage you take of the vitamins above, as well as any other prenatal supplements your doctor recommends, is quite important.
If you take too much, some of them might cause, rather than prevent, birth defects, so pay close attention to the instructions you get.
Prenatal vitamins can also have some side effects, and you might find that you battle with stomach cramps, dark poop, or diarrhea.
Some mamas-to-be also report back pain, muscle pain, dizziness, blurred vision, or hives.
Always speak to your doctor before you start taking prenatal vitamins.
Theyll make sure youre getting everything you need in the right amounts, so that when that pregnancy test comes back positive, youre ready to roll!
Looking for more info to support you on your pregnancy journey? Check out the links below:
What Is A False Positive Pregnancy Test
Theres little more nerve-wracking than waiting for a read-out from a home pregnancy test. Its a life-changing experience, and many home pregnancy tests claim that theyre up to 99% accurate.
Despite this, though, there is no denying that the convenience of at-home pregnancy urine tests does come at a cost. Theyre not as accurate as blood tests for pregnancy or a lab-analyzed urine samplethere is no lab involved, as the assay is chemically-driven and responds purely to the hCG levels your urine specimen exhibits.
What are some of the most common causes of a false-positive pregnancy test? Your false-positive results may be due to any of the following factors:
Theres no way to distinguish a false-positive result from a truly positive pregnancy test in the moments after taking it. It may cause some women to panic. Before getting too worried, however, we recommend taking a step back.
Well dive into the finer details behind some of these worrisome false alarms below. First, though, we should clarify what an essay is and how they work in regard to at-home pregnancy tests.
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Will They Make Me Gain Weight
There is no evidence that prenatal vitamins make you gain weight. Most pregnant women gain about 25-35 pounds throughout their pregnancy, whether they use a prenatal vitamin or not. And since vitamins contain zero calories, the weight gain is likely due to the pregnancy itself.
The iron in prenatal vitamins can cause constipation and bloating, making your clothes feel tighter. But no one can definitively proclaim them as causing you to gain weight.
When experiencing constipation and bloating, I recommend that moms increase fiber and fluids, but if thats not enough, they can take docusate sodium.
Editor’s Note:
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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Supplements All Women Trying To Get Pregnant Should Take
A prenatal vitamin should be taken before you become pregnant, not just when you find out that you are having a baby. Along with prenatal vitamins, there are additional supplements that may improve your fertility health and help with conception. But it is best to start taking supplements a few months or more before conception, since it may take a few months to get their full benefits. There are so many supplements available. But to keep things simple, here are six that have the best chance of giving your fertility a boost and increase your chance of having a baby.
Co Enzyme Q 10:
Is the source of fuel for mitochondria and is needed for the basic functioning of cells. Our recommendation: If you are up to 37 years old take 200-400 mg and if you are over 37 years old take 400-600 mg.
Vitamin D3
Studies have shown that despite taking a prenatal vitamin, women were still low in Vitamin D. There is typically not enough Vitamin D added to a prenatal pill so it is important to check. Low Vitamin D levels in early life is linked to schizophrenia, diabetes and skeletal disease. Appropriate levels of Vitamin D intake can prevent or reduce depression, dementia, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders. Our recommendation: Take 2,000-3,000 IU daily.
Folic Acid:
Selenium:
Preliminary studies have shown that this supplement may help prevent miscarriage. Selenium is an antioxidant and protects cells from damage. Our recommendation: Take 200 mg daily.
Vitamin E:
Herbs:
