For many couples looking to start a family, the journey to becoming pregnant can be fraught with anxiety. While there are a variety of factors that can influence fertility, one potential solution that women may want to explore is taking prenatals. Prenatals are dietary supplements designed to provide pregnant women with the necessary vitamins and minerals to ensure the health of the developing baby. But is there any evidence that prenatals can help women get pregnant? In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the potential benefits of taking prenatals for those trying to conceive. We’ll also explore the potential risks and discuss whether prenatals are the right choice for you.
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It’s much earlier than you may think! The ideal time to start a prenatal vitamin is around 3 months before conception. Here’s why you should start taking prenatals before pregnancy:
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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, there’s a surprising gap of research on how micronutrients may affect chances of conception in humans in the real world — and, to our knowledge, there haven’t 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.
Studies examining the potential effects of taking multivitamins or specific micronutrients on chances of conception have been conducted, but we are still unable to conclusively state that any particular vitamin formulation or individual micronutrient actually increases the likelihood of conception. The jury is still out on whether micronutrient supplements have an impact until large-scale randomized controlled trials systematically compare pregnancy rates or time to conception in individuals who use and do not use them.
The majority of dietary supplements that are specifically marketed as prenatals don’t make claims about their product’s ability to increase your chances of conception, but there are countless over-the-counter supplements marketed as “fertility supplements” that do claim to improve egg quality, treat infertility, “balance” reproductive levels, and promote ovulation, along with other lofty promises. While it would be great if there was scientific evidence to support these claims, it doesn’t currently exist.
Scientists at the Center for Science in the Public Interest dug for evidence of effectiveness for 39 different women’s fertility supplements (you can see the full list here). A (very, very small) 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.
FAQ
Should I take prenatals while trying to conceive?
Can you get pregnant by taking prenatals?
How long does it take for prenatals to help you get pregnant?
How can I boost my fertility?
- Maintain a Healthy Weight. …
- Moderate Exercise. …
- Avoid Tobacco and Too Much Alcohol. …
- Consider Taking a Multivitamin. …
- Work on Managing Your Stress. …
- Be Aware of Environmental Toxins.