Does Prenatal Vitamins Make You Fertile

Ease Constipation With These Remedies

• Drink plenty of water with your prenatal vitamin.
• Add more fiber to your diet, like whole grains, oats, and fresh fruit and veggies.
• Add natural prebiotics and probiotics to your diet, like yogurt, bananas, and onions.
• Ask your doctor about taking other supplements that help ease constipation, like fish oil and probiotics.
• Try a prenatal vitamin with less iron in it.

If youre getting a lot of side effects, like itching and stomach irritation, the fillers or additives in some prenatal vitamins might just not suit you. Ask your doctor about switching to a different kind or brand of prenatal vitamin.

Do Prenatal Vitamins Really Increase Fertility

Need for Vitamins if youre trying to conceive! If you are trying to conceive then using vitamins is definitely the write answer. Studies have backed the importance of vitamins in conception. Most commonly it is considered that women who are trying to conceive should increase vitamins and supplementary intake, but it is equally important for men as well.

If youre looking for something to boost the chances of you getting a baby then this article is all you need as it will mention all vitamins and nutrients you need to take to have a better of being a mother/father!

Types Of Prenatal Vitamins

Prenatal vitamins can come in many forms , and they can be organic or vegan, as well as prescription or over-the-counter.

While thereâs no specific, standard formula for prenatal vitamins , most prenatal vitamins include some formulation of the following key nutrients for you and your baby:

• Calcium: It is unlikely that a prenatal vitamin will contain all of the calcium you need. Pregnant women need 1,000 milligrams of calcium per day from all sources as your baby develops its bones, teeth, and muscles.
• DHA : This omega-3 fatty acid is thought to protect against a number of pregnancy-related complications.
• Folic acid: Pregnant women need at least 400 micrograms to 800 micrograms of folic acid daily to prevent birth defects known as neural tube defects, including spina bifida.
• Iron: Your body needs twice as much iron as usual during pregnancy to build red cells to bring oxygen to the growing baby.

Other vitamins and minerals found in different types of prenatal vitamins might include:

Read Also: A Good Vitamin For Memory

Read Also: How Much Vitamin E Is Safe

Factors Contributing To Oxidative Stress

Here are just some of the things that can cause your free radical levels to skyrocket:2-4

• Toxins such as bisphenol-A , parabens, phthalates, herbicides and pesticides
• Increased temperature in a mans scrotum
• Imbalanced insulin levels due to sugar intake, diabetes or polycystic ovary syndrome
• Using a cell phone or other technology or placing it near reproductive organs

When you come in contact with any one or all of these modern-day exposures listed above, it increases your risk of infertility.

Oxidative stress is to blame for many fertility problems as well as factors that lead to miscarriage. Recurrent pregnancy loss, spontaneous abortion, preeclampsia , and fetal death are all linked to oxidative stress.5 Intrauterine growth restriction , a condition where the fetus is smaller than expected for the number of weeks of pregnancy, is also linked to too many ROS.5 Oxidative stress can play a role in embryonic resorption, where the fetus is reabsorbed back into the body, leading to miscarriage.5

Also Check: What Foods Have Vitamin B

Why Take Prenatal Vitamins Before You Are Pregnant

What is the main reason to start taking prenatal vitamins before getting pregnant? Its for the folate. Folate supports early neural tube development from the time of conception and in the first 3-4 weeks after conception. This important time is when babys brain and spine start to form. Since folate takes some time to build up in the body and since most women dont know theyre pregnant until around 2 weeks after conception , taking folate regularly before pregnancy can help avoid a gap. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control recommends that women who could get pregnant should be taking the equivalent of 400 mcg of folate daily.

Another reason to take prenatal vitamins before pregnancy is to start building the habit! Add prenatals into your regimen today, and when youre pregnant it will already be a solid part of your self-care.

Dont Miss: What Does Vitamin D Do For My Body

Also Check: How Much Vitamin D Is Safe

Remind Me What Does My Baby Need

In summary the research overwhelmingly suggests that you should be taking a prenatal vitamin when trying to conceive, as well as during pregnancy and lactation.

Take a look at this inforgraphic for what you would have to eat in order to get the same amount of nutrients as a prenatal vitamin:

Embed the What Would You Have to Eat infographic on your site :

To help you understand mineral rich foods as an alternative to prenatal vitamins, take a look at the following infographic:

Embed the Mineral Rich Foods infographic on your site :

Take A Folic Acid Supplement

It’s recommended that you should take a daily supplement of folic acid when you’re pregnant, or there’s a chance you might get pregnant.

You should take a 400 microgram supplement of folic acid every day before you get pregnant, and every day afterwards, up until you’re 12 weeks pregnant.

A microgram is 1,000 times smaller than a milligram . The word microgram is sometimes written with the Greek symbol followed by the letter g .

Folic acid reduces the risk of your baby having a neural tube defect, such as spina bifida.

A neural tube defect is when the foetus’s spinal cord does not form normally.

You might be advised to take a higher dose supplement of 5 milligram every day.

You may need to take a 5mg supplement of folic acid if:

• you or the baby’s other biological parent have a neural tube defect
• you previously had a pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect
• you or the baby’s other biological parent have a family history of neural tube defects
• you have diabetes
• you take anti-epilepsy medicine

Talk to a GP if you think you need a 5mg dose of folic acid, as they can prescribe a higher dose.

You can get folic acid tablets at pharmacies, or talk to a GP about getting a prescription.

Do not worry if you get pregnant unexpectedly and were not taking a folic acid supplement at the time. Start taking them as soon as you find out, until you’re past the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Also Check: Are Puritan Pride Vitamins Usp Verified

Taking Prenatal Multivitamins In Every Trimester

Baby develops and grows differently in each trimesterand moms body changes to accommodate the pregnancy. Because your nutrient needs increase during pregnancy, youll need extra calories along the way. Heres a quick overview of what happens to mom and baby over nine months:

• First trimester: This is the most crucial time of babyâs development when the body structure and organ systems develop.
• Second trimester: Babys muscles and bones begin to develop, and all essential organs have formed.16 Mom usually needs about 340 extra calories a day during this time.
• Third trimester: Baby will grow and gain weight, as bones harden, and skin becomes thicker. DHA has been accumulating in the babys brain and eyes during the third trimester.17 Mom might need about 450 extra calories a day.

The Bottom Line

What are prenatal vitamins and minerals and what are they good for? Theyre your nutritional support when youre pregnant. Do you have to take prenatal vitamins the whole nine months? Yes! They ensure that, as you face increased nutritional demands, both you and your baby get all the essential vitamins and minerals, as well as DHA, you need at every stage. Prenatal vitamins contain a special formulation for pregnant women, including folic acid, calcium and, Vitamin D, iron, iodine, DHA and choline. Once baby is born, consider taking postnatal multivitaminsespecially if youre breastfeeding.

Learn More About Vitamins for Women:

References

Geritol Vs Prenatal Vitamins

Prenatal vitamins are specifically formulated to meet the needs of pregnant women. Some vitamins and mineralslike folic acid, iron, and calciumare needed in high amounts while pregnant and nursing, and prenatal vitamins provide those supplemental nutrients.

Geritol is a multivitamin designed to meet the needs of adults based on the general recommendations for vitamin and mineral intake. The manufacturer states that their products are not formulated with pregnant womens needs in mind.

You could choose to take Geritol as a multivitamin while trying to conceive and during pregnancy, but it hasnt been created for that purpose, so it may not be the best choice.

Discuss with your healthcare provider which supplement would be best to meet your needs to support your health while trying to conceive and during pregnancy.

Recommended Reading: Can Retinol Be Used With Vitamin C

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.

• The Bottom Line

Possible Prenatal Vitamins Side Effects

The iron in prenatals can cause constipation, and you may also have low appetite, stomach cramps, dark stools, and diarrhea. You can ease your symptoms by:

• Drinking a lot of fluids.
• Eating more food rich in fiber.
• Getting more physical activity.

Other prenatal vitamins side effects that can appear include:

• Teeth staining.

Let your doctor know if you are taking pain relievers, heart medications, high blood pressure pills, sulfamethoxazole, or diuretics, as these can have negative interactions with prenate pills. Your healthcare provider can advise you on when to start taking prenatal vitamins.

Now, we can move on to the next section: Do prenatals help you get pregnant? where we will address the following question: Do prenatal vitamins make you fertile? and also discuss when to start taking prenatals.

You May Like: What Is A Toxic Level Of Vitamin D For Dogs

When Should I Start Taking A Prenatal Vitamin

The best time to begin taking prenatal vitamins is before you conceive. The folate in a prenatal vitamin taken before conception significantly reduces the chances of neural tube irregularities like spina bifida.

A babys neural tube, which will develop into both the brain and spinal cord, develops during the first month of pregnancy. That could happen before you even realize youre pregnant.

If you arent already taking a daily prenatal vitamin, start taking one as soon as you find out youre expecting. Youll continue taking your prenatal vitamin every day during your pregnancy.

Your doctor might also recommend you continue to take prenatal vitamins after delivery, especially if you decide to breastfeed.

If you have pregnancy complications or other health concerns, your doctor might recommend a prescription prenatal supplement. Otherwise, over-the-counter vitamins are available at the pharmacy or online.

While there are many brands available, youll want to choose a prenatal vitamin that includes:

Most pregnant people dont get enough choline, so its important to include choline-rich foods like egg yolks in your diet or take a supplement that contains this vital nutrient.

Choline is important for your health and is essential for fetal brain development and placental function.

Some supplements also contain DHA, which is important for your babys brain tissue growth and function especially during the third trimester.

What Are Prenatal Vitamins

Before we dive into whether men should take prenatal vitamins, lets cover what prenatal vitamins actually are and why theyre important.

When a person becomes pregnant, their nutritional needs increase. Familiar with the old saying eating for two? That rings true, as the fetus needs certain nutrients to develop. While its technically possible for someone to get all the nutrients needed for proper fetal development through diet and lifestyle alone, its difficult to accomplish. This is where prenatal vitamins come in.

Prenatal vitamins are unlike traditional multivitamins because theyre specially formulated to meet the growing nutritional needs someone experiences during pregnancy. For example, pregnant women typically need greater quantities of iron, folate, and calcium in their diet to support fetal development.

Theres no wrong time to begin taking prenatal vitamins, but the ideal start date is three months before pregnancy. In the past, doctors advised patients to take prenatal vitamins as soon as they found out they were pregnant. Now, its generally recommended to start taking prenatal vitamins when you begin trying to conceive, to prepare your body for pregnancy.

Read Also: Vitamin C Serum At Night Or Morning

The Different Types Of Prenatal Vitamins

Your healthcare system may provide prenatal vitamins, especially if you have special dietary requirements or food sensitivities. However, you could get over-the-counter vitamin prescriptions when you are a lot healthier. Just make sure there is no prescription to purchase a drug that is not for.

There are two basic forms of vitamins: prenatal vitamins and over-the-counter supplements. Of course, a healthy diet will go a long way. Still, most people will need a bit of help from a supplement.

It is important for you to take prenatal vitamins whether you have dry skin, extreme sun exposure, low red blood cells , or other health issues.

Donât Miss: Is It Safe To Use Vagisil Cream While Pregnant

What Is Dha And When Should I Choose A Prenatal Containing Dha

DHA stands for the omega-3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and it is not found in every prenatal. It is important for developing healthy nerves and eyes in your baby. The major source of DHA is fish.

Vegetarians may find it difficult to consume enough fish and enough DHA, and many individuals worry about the levels of mercury consumed with fish. In these instances, a prenatal containing DHA may be beneficial. If you are unsure about your need for this fatty acid, consult your doctor to discuss your concerns.

Rapid development of the nerves and eyes occurs in the second half of pregnancy . Based on this, supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA, is thought to be more important later in pregnancy.20

Dont Miss: Whats The Recommended Dose Of Vitamin C

Recommended Reading: Vitamins And Supplements For Weight Loss

What Happens If You Dont Take Prenatal Vitamins

Taking prenatal vitamins before pregnancy can help prevent miscarriages, defects, and preterm labor. If youre not taking prenatal vitamins, neural tube defects can appear:

• Anencephaly: This occurs when the babys skull and brain doesnt form correctly. Babies that are born with anencephaly dont survive.
• Spina bifida: This occurs when the spine does not form correctly and the baby may have physical disabilities.

Now that we have addressed one of the most asked questions, What happens if you dont take prenatal vitamins?, we can move on to the next section: When to take prenatal vitamins.

Protect Your Pregnancy Before You Conceive

Many women know they need to take extra care of their health during pregnancy. But if you know you want to try to have a baby, its a good idea for you and your partner to start making some changes about 6 months before you actually get pregnant.

That creates the foundation for a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby, says Sherry Ross, MD, an OB/GYN at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, CA.

Go through this to-do list as youre getting your body ready for baby.

You May Like: What Are The Health Benefits Of Vitamin C

Fast Facts About Prenatal Vitamins

• Prenatal vitamins are only recommended for reproductive-aged women who are trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant, or are breastfeeding. High levels of certain nutrients over a long period of time can actually be more harmful to the body than helpful.
• You should talk to your doctor before starting any new supplements. Some supplements can cause side effects, or interact with other prescribed medications or supplements youre already taking.
• Prenatal vitamins support both maternal and fetal health during pregnancy.
• Vitamin and nutrient deficiencies are extremely prevalent in pregnant women. In a study of 1165 women, researchers found that only 4% of women had no deficiencies, and approximately 20% of women had 2, 3, or 4 deficiencies .
• Over the past few years, prenatal vitamins have become more popular and widely available as more doctors are recommending them to their patients. As a result, there are many prenatal vitamins on the market, so it is important to shop around and find science-backed and independently tested products that are made with premium ingredients.

Belis Advice For Ivf Success

Whilst IVF can turn any fertility warrior into a chronic worrier, it can also spark those initial feelings of hope. Beli Vitamins may have your fertility supplements covered, but they also have some words of wisdom to support your IVF journey beyond your nutrient levels. According to Beli fertility vitamins, your chances of conception, a peaceful pregnancy and a healthy baby start with following these four steps:

Read Also: Is Eliquis A Vitamin K Antagonist