It is a common question among many couples who are trying to conceive: Will taking prenatal vitamins increase the chances of getting pregnant? For couples who are ready to start a family, it can be incredibly overwhelming to navigate the world of fertility and conceive a baby. Prenatal vitamins are an important part of any woman’s nutrition before and during pregnancy, but understanding how and when to take them can be confusing. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of prenatal vitamins and the evidence that suggests that taking prenatal vitamins may help increase the chances of getting pregnant. We will look at the different types of prenatal supplements, the recommended dosage, and the potential side effects. We will also cover the research that suggests that prenatal vitamins may improve fertility in some women. By the end of this post, readers will have a better understanding of prenatal vitamins, their benefits and potential risks, and the evidence that suggests they may help increase the chances of getting pregnant.
What goes in a prenatal vitamin?
Almost all pregnant women are advised to take a prenatal supplement for a variety of reasons, including raising the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy and avoiding complications. The majority of premium prenatal multivitamins will contain essential nutrients and minerals like folate, iron, calcium, vitamin D, DHA, and iodine.
It’s crucial to consume enough of these nutrients to reach your recommended daily allowance (RDA) while you’re trying to get pregnant. This makes sure mom and the unborn child have everything they need for a healthy pregnancy. Prenatal nutrition provided by Natalists supplements is comprehensive and meets or exceeds ACOG pregnancy recommendations.
Your fertility is affected by a variety of factors. Age, health, and family history of both you and your partner are important considerations when estimating how long it will take you to become pregnant. For a healthy woman in her 20s or early 30s, the chance of conceiving each month is 25%-30%
When trying to get pregnant, you can control the following lifestyle factors:
Prenatal vitamins won’t increase your likelihood of becoming pregnant. This one is just a myth we’re happy to bust.
However, taking prenatal vitamins will greatly increase your chances of having a healthy pregnancy. They significantly reduce the likelihood of neural tube defects. Additionally, using them is linked to a decreased risk of miscarriage. They serve as an essential safety net in preventing pregnancy complications brought on by nutrient deficiencies, such as low birth weight or premature delivery. Therefore, we advise you to incorporate prenatal vitamins and fertility supplements like iron, folate, or DHA into your TTC journey; however, don’t expect them to act as magic fertility drugs.
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.
Say bye-bye to birth control sooner rather than later.
The sooner you stop using hormonal contraceptives, such as the pill, patch, shot, or another type, the quicker your cycle will return to its regular pattern.
Typically, hormonal contraceptives contain a combination of estrogen and progesterone, which suppresses ovulation or prevents implantation and prevents pregnancy. Because of this, it may take a few months after stopping birth control for your hormones to stabilize and for your period to start coming on schedule.
Ask your doctor when is the best time to stop using birth control. For women using the pill or patch, three months is typically the ideal duration; however, if you use the Depo-Provera injection, it may take up to nine months (or longer) for your reproductive system to recover.
It’s a good idea to schedule a consultation with your doctor (or midwife) to get assistance with your “make a baby” checklist, which includes getting off medication that isn’t baby-friendly and making sure your body (and your partner’s) are in their best possible condition for carrying a child.
A complete physical examination can detect any fertility problems as well as chronic conditions like thyroid disorders or ovarian cysts that may prevent conception. Once you hear that everything is in order, you can start working on getting pregnant.
Exercise not only aids in weight loss, which can hinder conception, but it also lowers blood pressure, lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and increases blood flow to the reproductive system.
But dont overdo it. According to additional research, super-vigorous exercise can ruin your pregnancy plans, especially if your weight is already in the right range. Fast-paced aerobics, such as running or cycling, can interfere with your menstrual cycles and even momentarily stop ovulation, which explains the discrepancy.
Speak with your doctor about finding the right balance between working out too hard and not hard enough. You can always try low-impact exercise, like walking, in the interim.
FAQ
Should I take prenatals while trying to conceive?
How long after taking prenatal vitamins can you get pregnant?
How can I increase my chances of getting pregnant?
- Folic Acid. …
- Vitamin E. …
- Vitamin D. …
- Fish Oil. …
- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) …
- Selenium. …
- Folic Acid. …
- CoQ10.