How can preconception planning help you get pregnant and have a healthy pregnancy and baby? Discover the essential steps to take before conception.

The Importance of Preconception Planning

Trying to conceive but unsure where to start? The latest research suggests that the best place to begin is even before pregnancy – by engaging in preconception planning and preparation. This crucial step can not only help you have a healthier pregnancy and baby, but it can also improve your fertility and get you on the path to parenthood faster.

Leading health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the March of Dimes, and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), now recommend that couples consider adding at least three months (and up to a year) of preconception planning to the nine months of pregnancy. This pre-pregnancy preparation time allows you to get your body, lifestyle, and overall health in optimal baby-making shape before conception occurs.

Preparing Your Body for Pregnancy

What steps should you take to get your body ready for pregnancy? Start by scheduling checkups with your doctor and dentist. Your doctor will ensure you’re in good health, update your immunizations, and make any necessary adjustments to your medications. Your dentist will ensure your teeth and gums are in good shape, as gum disease has been linked to pregnancy complications.

Next, focus on your diet and exercise routine. Eating a healthy, balanced diet and staying physically active can boost your fertility and prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy. Limit caffeine and alcohol, and take a prenatal vitamin to support your reproductive health and prevent birth defects.

Maintaining a healthy body weight is also crucial for fertility. Being overweight or underweight can disrupt the delicate balance of reproductive hormones, making it more difficult to conceive. Aim to reach a BMI (body mass index) within the conception-friendly range of 18.5 to 24 before trying to get pregnant.

Lifestyle Changes for Fertility

In addition to physical preparation, there are several lifestyle factors to consider. Quitting smoking is a must, as it can harm both fertility and fetal development. Regular exercise, in moderation, can also improve your chances of conception, but be careful not to overdo it, as excessive exercise can disrupt ovulation.

Finally, don’t underestimate the impact of stress on your fertility. Extreme stress has been linked to difficulty getting pregnant, so make time for relaxation and stress management techniques, such as reading, listening to music, or practicing yoga.

Preconception Health Checkups

What should you expect during your preconception health checkups? Your doctor will perform a physical exam, check your weight and immunization status, and discuss your family medical history. They may also order blood tests to assess your overall health and fertility.

For women, your gynecologist, obstetrician, or midwife will ensure your reproductive system is ready for pregnancy. They may perform a pelvic exam, Pap smear, and other tests to check for any underlying issues that could affect fertility or pregnancy.

Preconception Supplements and Medications

Taking a prenatal vitamin before conception can help prevent birth defects and support a healthy pregnancy. Your doctor may also recommend other supplements or adjustments to your current medication regimen to optimize your fertility and prepare your body for pregnancy.

If you’re taking any prescription or over-the-counter medications, be sure to discuss them with your doctor. They can help determine if any changes need to be made to ensure the safety of you and your future baby.

Preconception Nutrition and Exercise

What you eat and how you move can have a significant impact on your fertility and pregnancy health. A balanced, nutrient-rich diet with plenty of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can help support fertility and ensure you’re getting all the necessary vitamins and minerals.

Regular moderate exercise, such as 30 minutes of heart-pumping activity per day, can also boost your chances of conception. Just be sure not to overdo it, as excessive exercise can disrupt ovulation and make it harder to get pregnant.

Stress Management for Fertility

Extreme stress has been linked to fertility challenges, so it’s important to find healthy ways to manage your anxiety and relax during the preconception period. Activities like reading, listening to music, or practicing yoga can help you unwind and create a more fertile environment for conception.

Remember, every couple’s preconception plan will be a little different, so work closely with your healthcare providers to create a personalized strategy that addresses your unique needs and health considerations.

Trying to Conceive – Pregnancy Center

Eager to get pregnant, but not sure where to begin (besides the obvious)? The latest research shows that the best place to begin pregnancy is actually before the beginning — for some couples, well before. A little preconception planning and preparation can not only help you have a healthier pregnancy and a healthier baby, but it can also help get that baby on board faster by improving your fertility. That’s why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the March of Dimes, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and others are now routinely recommending that all couples consider adding at least three months (and in some cases, up to a year) to the nine months of pregnancy. Not three extra months being pregnant (that would be asking way too much — even for the most dedicated mom-to-be), but three extra months in which you prepare to become pregnant: getting your body, your partner’s body, your lifestyle, your weight, your diet, your exercise routine, your medication regimen, and more into tip-top baby-making shape before sperm meets egg. So before you take the plunge without that protection parachute, follow this plan, keeping in mind that every couple’s preconception to-do list will be a little different:

Getting Ready to Conceive

• See your doctors (and your dentist). The best prenatal care starts long before there’s a baby to care for, so schedule a checkup with your doctor (to make sure you’re healthy) and one with your gyn, ob-gyn, or midwife (to make sure your reproductive system is ready to roll). Your doctors will check your weight, make sure your immunizations are up-to-date, give you a blood test, discuss your family medical history, advise you how to taper off medications you’re on (or switch you to more baby-safe ones), and make sure all chronic conditions are under control. Two doctor appointments down? There’s still one to go. See the dentist too to make sure your teeth and gums are ready for pregnancy (gum disease is associated with pregnancy complications).
• Watch what you eat and drink. Here’s food for thought: Your fertility — like your baby — may be what you eat. Though it’s possible to get pregnant no matter what you eat (and what you don’t eat), a healthy preconception diet may in fact boost fertility. Eating well is definitely linked to healthier pregnancies and healthier babies, which means there’s no better time than now to begin breaking bad eating habits (the breakfast skipping, the fast-food lunching) and building some good ones (switching from white to whole grain, spending more time with your hand in the fruit bowl than in the cookie jar). Have a java jones? Limit your preconception caffeine consumption to no more than 200 mg a day (that’s about two shots of espresso or 12 ounces of brewed coffee). And make sure to cut down on alcohol (since heavy drinking can compromise your fertility).

• Take a prenatal. No, you’re not pregnant yet — but taking a prenatal vitamin in the months leading up to conception can help prevent serious birth defects, preterm delivery, and — as a just-for-mom bonus — morning sickness. So ask your practitioner for a recommendation and get popping now.
• Get to your ideal weight. What can the scale tell you about your chances of getting pregnant? Actually, quite a lot. Being even moderately overweight — or significantly underweight — can weigh on fertility by throwing off the delicate balance of reproductive hormones that’s needed for dependable ovulation and successful conception. Too many fat cells, and your body will make too much estrogen — too few fat cells, and your body will make too little. Either scenario: a recipe for fertility problems. For best baby-making results, work to get your BMI (body mass index) in the conception-friendly range of 18.5 to 24 before you begin trying to conceive. Ask your practitioner what your preconception goal weight should be.
• Stop smoking. Smoking poses a whole pack of risks, not only when you’re pregnant but also when you’re trying to conceive. So kick butt now and stay smoke-free throughout your pregnancy and beyond.
• Start exercising. Being fit does seem to make you more fertile. A moderate workout (about 30 minutes a day of heart-pumping exercise) can help boost your chances of getting pregnant. Just don’t overdo this good thing — a too-strenuous workout (especially if it leads to a too-lean body) can prevent you from ovulating and conceiving.
• Chill out. Extreme stress (not average, everyday stress) has been linked to trouble getting pregnant, so add a chill pill to your preconception regimen. Give that fertility-unfriendly anxiety the ax by regularly making time for relaxation (read a book, listen to music or a meditation CD, take a yoga class), avoiding overload (Do you really have to say yes to that after-hours conference call? That charity bake sale?), and finding an outlet to vent (share with your partner, and also with pals you’ve made on the preconception Message Boards).

• Take a look at your birth control. If you’re using a diaphragm, condom, IUD, spermicide, or other nonhormonal birth control, wait until all baby-making systems are go before you ditch the protection (otherwise, you could get pregnant before you finish prepping). If you’ve been using the pill, the patch, or the ring, you may want to switch over to a barrier method for a month or two first (it may take a while for regular ovulation to resume after you’ve quit the hormones) — ask your practitioner for advice on this. Definitely finish your pill pack to avoid breakthrough bleeding, which can only confuse matters. If you’re on Depo-Provera, you’ll need to do some serious advance planning, since it could take six months to a year for ovulation to resume after you stop the shots (again, use a nonhormonal method while you’re waiting).

And since it takes two healthy bodies to make a healthy baby, make sure that your partner also gets with the preconception program. He too should get a checkup, get chronic health conditions under control, change up any fertility-unfriendly meds, improve his eating habits (and take a vitamin-mineral supplement), cut out smoking and cut back on alcohol (caffeine’s no problem for him), get his weight where it needs to be, start exercising (or slack off a little if he’s hitting the gym a little too hard — or working out in a fertility-unfriendly way, like mountain biking), and reduce stress.

Will taking prenatal vitamins increase chances of getting pregnant?

There are many good reasons to take a prenatal while you’re trying to conceive. They’re formulated with the specific needs of a pregnancy and developing baby in mind, meaning they contain ingredients that support things like the baby’s brain and spinal cord development, and blood cells getting enough oxygen so everything can run smoothly.* One thing prenatals don’t do, contrary to what some might think, is actually change your chances of conceiving (as far as we know).

We dug through the literature in search of scientific evidence supporting a link between prenatals and chances of conception. To date, there have been no published, large-scale studies linking the use of prenatal vitamins or specific micronutrients with pregnancy rates or time to pregnancy — meaning there’s no evidence that taking prenatals impacts your chances of conception.

Here, we’ll give you a quick breakdown of where the science stands on what prenatals can and can’t do (spoiler: they can help promote a healthy pregnancy, but they can’t change your chances of getting pregnant*), and point to some actionable steps you can take to increase your own chances of conception.

Micronutrients and reproduction: What do we (and don’t we) have clinical evidence for?

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 there’s 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 (the “gold standard” in the research world) 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%.

Despite these fortification programs, many people in the US still do not get the recommended amount of folic acid. That’s why the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the leading body of OB-GYNs, recommends 600 micrograms (mcg) of folate per day during pregnancy — with at least 400 mcg DFE (dietary folate equivalent) coming from supplemental folate — starting at least one month preconception through at least the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. It’s for the reasons stated above that virtually all prenatal vitamins you find will contain some form of folate (e.g., methylfolate, folic acid). Recent research also suggests that the B vitamin choline is equally essential in neurodevelopment, as well as for many other critical functions.*

Other micronutrient recommendations are based more so on our general understanding of fetal development and pregnancy. Along with folate and choline, ACOG recommends the following nutrients before and during pregnancy:

• Omega-3 fatty acids (DHAs) help with fetal brain and retina development.*
• Iron is the building block of hemoglobin — a blood protein that transports oxygen.*
• Vitamin A supports good vision, healthy skin, and a functioning immune system.*
• Vitamin B6 boosts protein metabolism for both you and your pregnancy.*
• Vitamin B12 plays a role in central nervous system function. *
• Vitamin C makes it easier for your body to absorb iron.*
• Vitamin D3 increases absorption of calcium from food.*
• Iodine is important for thyroid hormones and thyroid health.*
• Calcium strengthens fetal teeth and bones.

Research also shows that taking prenatal vitamins with B6 may decrease morning sickness in pregnancy.*

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.

There have been some studies looking at whether taking multivitamins or specific micronutrients may impact chances of conception, but we’re 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 jury’s out on whether they have an effect.

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.

What

can improve your chances of conception?

Though taking a prenatal before and while you’re trying to get pregnant likely won’t impact your chances of conception, there are some steps you can take to increase those odds:

1. Tracking your cycle: Conception is only possible during a narrow window of the cycle, with the likelihood being highest the day before ovulation itself. Because luteinizing hormone (LH) peaks before ovulation, tracking your LH can give you insight into when you may ovulate. If you’re looking for science-backed ways to track LH, we recommend using an ovulation test that measures LH.
2. Timing intercourse or insemination based on ovulation: Knowing when your fertile window (the five days leading up to ovulation and the day of ovulation) is means you can pinpoint when intercourse and insemination are most likely to result in sperm and egg meeting. (Pssst… we have an app to help keep track of fertile window timing.)
3. Getting off birth control a few months early: Data show that birth control use has no long-term impact on fertility, but there are some methods associated with a slightly longer return to ovulation than others, like the implant and injectable. Because it may take a few months to get back to your pre-birth control cycles after stopping, it may be helpful to stop using birth control a little earlier than immediately before you want to start trying to conceive.
4. Knowing about underlying conditions: Some common conditions (that aren’t always commonly talked about!) like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hyper/hypothyroidism are characterized by changes in reproductive hormones that in turn affect cycle regularity and ovulation. Fertility hormone testing is one way to screen for red flags for these conditions. If you have any of these conditions, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider before trying to conceive to increase the odds of getting pregnant.
5. Talking to your doctor about fertility-related medications: Some people with the underlying conditions mentioned above, as well as some people with no detectable underlying conditions, may not ovulate regularly — which makes tracking and targeting conception trickier. There are some FDA-approved, science-backed prescription medications that induce ovulation (like Clomid and Femara), as well as some medications that weren’t invented specifically to induce ovulation (like metformin), but help regulate it all the same. Note: These medications do not increase the chances of conception in people who ovulate regularly, meaning they’re not for everyone.

Does it matter when you start to take prenatal vitamins?

ACOG’s recommendation is to start a prenatal at least one month preconception. This is because nutritional needs start changing in very early pregnancy, soon after conception — meaning it’s important to make sure you’re giving yourself enough time for nutrients to build up to sufficient levels before you can confirm whether you’re pregnant.

Here’s an example: We know that the neural tube (which develops into the brain and spine) closes within the first few weeks of pregnancy (30 days post-conception to be exact). Because a good chunk of neural tube development happens before someone can even know whether or not they’re pregnant, it’s crucial that people who are trying to conceive have sufficient amounts of the nutrients that keep this process running smoothly (like folate and choline) before they can confirm they’re pregnant.*

Highlighting the importance of folate for fetal development, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) actually recommend that all people with ovaries of childbearing age, regardless of whether they’re currently trying to conceive or pregnant, make sure they’re consuming adequate amounts of folate, either through balanced eating or supplementation (or a combo of the two). * Their logic here is that because almost half of pregnancies in the US are unplanned, making sure that people who could potentially get pregnant are getting sufficient amounts of folate at all times.

The bottom line

Though prenatals won’t change your chances of actually getting pregnant, they can help you fill in the micronutrient gaps to support your health through pregnancy and healthy fetal development.* Pregnancy and lactation (whether or not you’re breastfeeding/chestfeeding) are associated with a wide range of physiological changes that facilitate the growth and development of a baby, so it’s not a surprise that nutritional needs change during this time too. Prenatals are formulated with these changing nutritional needs in mind — making them important to have on hand before, during, and after pregnancy.

The Modern Fertility Prenatal Vitamin

If you’re prepping your body for pregnancy or you’re already pregnant, the Modern Fertility Prenatal Multivitamin is a science-backed way to get essential nutrients on board. It includes all of ACOG’s recommended nutrients, except for calcium. Why was calcium left out? Many prenatal multivitamins actually don’t have calcium — that’s because calcium can block the absorption of iron and supplementation maxes out at ~500 mg. Both of these factors can make it difficult to put calcium alongside other nutrients in a prenatal. Instead, Modern Fertility opted for the calcium booster vitamin D.* (Read more about the decision here.)

On top of 10 ACOG-recommended nutrients, the Prenatal Multi also has zinc and biotin. Zinc is essential for healthy fetal growth, and can be up to 50% deficient in vegetarians.* Biotin aids in converting food into energy, and a third of pregnant people are deficient.*

Whether it’s through fertility essentials (like the Prenatal Multi) or myth-busting articles like this one, Modern Fertility is always here for you as you think about your present or future chances of conception.

This article was reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Conti, MD, MS, MSc.

What Are Prenatal Vitamins? | Which to Take Before Pregnancy

Prenatal vitamins are made for people who are pregnant or are trying to get pregnant. Folic acid is the most important vitamin for pre-pregnancy health.

What are prenatal vitamins?

Prenatal vitamins are supplements that contain daily vitamins and minerals you need before and during your pregnancy.

Folic acid is the most important vitamin to take when planning a pregnancy. Folic acid is a B vitamin that cells in your body need for growing and developing. Taking 400 mcg of folic acid every day for at least 1 month before and during pregnancy can help lower the risk for problems with the baby’s brain and spine — called neural tube defects (NTDs). Some women, like those who have had a pregnancy affected by NTDs or with sickle cell disease, may need more folic acid. Talk to your doctor or nurse about the dose that is right for you.

Most nutrients should come from the foods you eat, but it’s also a good idea to take prenatal vitamins. Your nurse, doctor, or midwife can recommend the best vitamins for you, on top of folic acid.

When do I need to start taking prenatal vitamins?

Start taking folic acid at least 1 month before you start trying to get pregnant. The first few weeks of pregnancy are a really important time for fetal health and development. Taking folic acid and other prenatal vitamins can help reduce the risk of some birth defects. Keep taking prenatal vitamins throughout your entire pregnancy.

Do prenatal vitamins have side effects?

A lot of people wonder about about prenatal vitamins side effects. Some people get nauseated or constipated from taking prenatal vitamins. If this happens to you, talk with your doctor about changing brands or the types of vitamins you’re taking.

Prenatal vitamins come in tablets or capsules, so finding the kind that works best with your body can help ease side effects. Your doctor or midwife can help you find a prenatal vitamin that will work best for your body.

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The Best Fertility Vitamins to Help You Get Pregnant

It’s no secret that a regular regimen of prenatal vitamins can help both mom and baby get the nutrients they need throughout a healthy pregnancy. But don’t wait until you’re pregnant to start supplementing; the right combination of fertility vitamins—for women and men—can help boost your chances of conception. From improving egg quality to increasing sperm motility, research indicates that taking fertility vitamins can result in a better chance of getting pregnant in a shorter amount of time.

Aumatma Shah, ND, a naturopathic doctor and nutritionist, author of the book Fertility Secrets and founder of the Bay Area’s Holistic Fertility Center, says that in her experience conception vitamins can absolutely support fertility. But while it won’t typically hurt to take a broad spectrum of vitamins to help get pregnant, a personalized approach is the best way to optimize the results. “Often, the most effective way to support fertility is to accurately analyze which nutrients are most deficient (and hence a priority) for you to address and optimize.” A knowledgeable health provider can help provide guidance on the specific vitamins and dosage that are best suited to your body’s needs.

There are many vitamins to help get pregnant, and it’s recommended that you start taking them about two to three months before trying to conceive. Here, doctors, healthcare providers and fertility specialists weigh in on how certain conception vitamins can aid fertility, the best vitamins for trying to conceive and how much to take.

In this article:
Fertility vitamins for women
Fertility vitamins for men

Fertility Vitamins for Women

There are many vitamins to help get pregnant, but these, according to the experts, are some of the best conception vitamins for women.

Folic Acid

It’s common for women to take folic acid (AKA Vitamin B9) during pregnancy to reduce the risk of neural tube defects for the baby. But it’s actually been shown to increase fertility rates as well, so for many reasons it’s a good idea to start supplementing with folic acid in advance. Folic acid can be taken separately or as part of a prenatal vitamin. According to Mark Trolice, MD, founder and director of Fertility CARE – The IVF Center, “all women—even if they’re not trying to conceive—should take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily. ” However, pregnant women and those trying to conceive can take up to 1 mg daily.

Related Video

Vitamin E

You may recognize vitamin E from skincare products that promise to reduce wrinkles. That’s because it works to repair cells, which is also what makes it so effective as a fertility vitamin. “Vitamin E is an essential nutrient for ovaries and also acts as an anti-aging antioxidant. For women who are trying to conceive later in life, they may benefit from supplementing with Vitamin E so that they can support egg quality, which is core to being able to conceive and carry to term,” Shah explains.

Vitamin D

Though the best way to get vitamin D is with healthy exposure to sunlight, these days it’s common to be deficient, which is bad news for those trying to get pregnant. “Vitamin D is essential for the development of healthy hormones,” Shah says. “Hormones are the key communicators or signaling compounds in the body and those signals throughout the month are what create the template for a woman’s menstrual cycle and for balance through pregnancy.”

Fish Oil

Fish oil is often added to the prenatal vitamin regimen because of its positive impact on baby’s brain development. But Omega 3 fatty acids (usually taken in the form of fish oil pills) have also been shown to improve female fertility, according to Trolice. It can increase egg quality, which is important for conception. Expectant mothers should take at least 300mg daily.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

Coq10, a naturally occurring compound, has been shown to increase fertility, particularly for women over 40, and as such has become a popular fertility vitamin. Shah has seen the positive effects firsthand, from optimizing egg quality to thickening the uterine lining (women with thin uterine lining, she says, can have a harder time getting pregnant). She points to one study that showed that taking Coq10 in conjunction with Clomid improved fertility rates for women with polycystic ovarian disorder. Recommended doses vary from 150mg to 600 mg daily.

Selenium

Shah calls selenium “a super-vitamin for fertility and pregnancy,” thanks to its antioxidant powers. The micronutrient can help promote healthy uterine follicles, which is where the eggs are developed and released. She notes that “selenium deficiencies may lead to gestational complications, miscarriages and may damage the nervous system of the developing fetus.” It’s recommended that pregnant women take about 60 mcg daily.

Fertility Vitamins for Men

It takes two to tango, so don’t forget about male fertility vitamins!

Folic Acid

If you thought folic acid was just for women, think again. “Men who are attempting pregnancy with their partner should also be on multivitamins with folic acid, which will improve the health of the sperm as well as the offspring,” says Edward Marut, MD, a board certified OB-GYN and reproductive endocrinologist with Fertility Centers of Illinois.

CoQ10

This is another fertility vitamin that’s effective for both men and women who are trying to conceive. “Studies show CoQ10 increases sperm count and improves morphology,” Shah says. Marut recommends that men take 200mg of CoQ10 twice daily to enhance semen quality.

Selenium

The antioxidant powers of selenium are just as important for men as they are for women. “Low selenium in men can cause infertility by lowering sperm motility and semen quality,” Shah explains. One study indicated that previously infertile men who took a regimen of selenium and vitamin E experienced improved sperm motility and much greater rates of conception.

Zinc

“Men with low zinc levels are shown to have especially poor sperm counts and quality,” Shah says. If you see white spots on your nails, she cautions, you may have a zinc deficiency. Studies found that taking 66 mg of zinc every day along with 5 mg folic acid significantly increased sperm count.

Fish Oil

The omega 3 fatty acids in fish oil make it great fertility vitamins for men. Marut says hopeful fathers-to-be should take 200 mg twice daily to enhance semen quality.

Take caution when choosing fertility vitamins, since dietary supplements are not subject to FDA approval, Trolice warns. “Do your research and ask your doctor,” he urges. When in doubt, Shah says a good quality prenatal supplement is a great place to start, since it will have many of the conception vitamins you’re looking for. Here, some top fertility vitamins to consider.

Image: Courtesy Seeking Health

Seeking Health Optimal Prenatal Vitamins

In a world where Shah laments that “there are many garbage vitamins being promoted,” she trusts Seeking Health’s Optimal Prenatal Vitamins. She appreciates that it doesn’t have a long list of “other ingredients” below the ingredient list, and says that a solid prenatal vitamin is a great place to start when looking for fertility vitamins.

Image: Courtesy Life Extension

Life Extension Super Ubiquinol CoQ10

Though you may or may not have heard of CoQ10, there are an overwhelming number of choices available on the market for someone looking to supplement. Life Extension has a solid reputation for rigorously testing and accurately labeling their products. Their super ubiquinol formulation of CoQ10 is made specifically to increase the bioavailability of the vitamin so your body can absorb it more easily.

Image: Courtesy Carlson Laboratories

Carlson Wild Caught Elite Omega-3

You’ve probably heard of farm-to-table, but what about ocean-to-pill? These fish oil pills are ethically sourced from wild, sustainably caught fish and are free of artificial preservatives. Plus, the nice lemon flavor cuts down on the dreaded “fish burps” that can occur.

Image: Courtesy Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe’s Vitamin D

You may be surprised to hear that popular supermarket chain Trader Joe’s takes the prize for Consumer Reports’ top-rated vitamin D pill, but the review magazine put them in the #1 spot for their combination of affordability and effectiveness. Even if you’re not near a TJ’s, you can get them on Amazon for just a few cents more.

Image: Courtesy Puritan Pride

Puritan’s Pride Vitamin E with Selenium

Puritan’s Pride has been in business for over four decades and has a reputation for trusted supplements. These vitamins are 100 percent natural and come in a softgel, which are often easier to swallow. Plus, they pack a punch with vitamin E and selenium, two fertility vitamins for men and women alike.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

Plus, more from The Bump:

Fertility 101: What Factors Affect It and How to Give It a Boost

6 Ways to Naturally Boost Your Fertility

The 10 Best Foods for Boosting Fertility

Prenatal vitamins: OK for women who aren’t pregnant?

You may be tempted to take prenatal vitamins because of unproven claims that they promote thicker hair and stronger nails. However, if you’re not pregnant and not planning to become pregnant, high levels of certain nutrients over a long period of time may actually be more harmful than helpful.

Prenatal vitamins are formulated specifically for women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, and women who are breast-feeding, with particular emphasis on:

• Folic acid. To reduce the risk of having a child with neural tube defects, it’s recommended that women who are trying to become pregnant get 400 to 800 micrograms (mcg) of folate or folic acid a day through diet and supplements. Other healthy adults — both men and women — need only 400 mcg a day. While uncommon, getting too much folic acid by taking supplements can mask the symptoms of vitamin B-12 deficiency and delay diagnosis and treatment.
• Iron. During pregnancy, the recommended intake of iron is 27 milligrams (mg) a day. Women between the ages of 19 and 50 who aren’t pregnant need only 18 mg a day, and women age 51 and older and all adult men need only 8 mg a day. Getting too much iron can be toxic because it can build up in your body, causing constipation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and, in severe cases, possibly death.
• Calcium. Pregnant adult women and healthy men and women ages 19 to 50 all need 1,000 mg a day. Men and women age 51 and older need 1,000 mg a day and 1,200 mg a day, respectively. Because prenatal vitamins are intended to supplement calcium you get in your diet, they generally contain only 200 to 300 mg of calcium. If you rely on prenatal vitamins to meet your calcium needs, you likely won’t get enough, raising your risk of osteoporosis and other health problems.

Generally, if you eat a healthy, balanced diet, taking multivitamins of any sort isn’t necessary.

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Aug. 27, 2020

Show references

1. 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. http://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines. Accessed March 20, 2017.
2. Dietary supplement fact sheet: Folate. Office of Dietary Supplements. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Folate-HealthProfessional/. Accessed March 20, 2017.
3. Dietary supplement fact sheet: Iron. Office of Dietary Supplements. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional/. Accessed March 20, 2017.
4. Dietary supplement fact sheet: Calcium. Office of Dietary Supplements. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-HealthProfessional/. Accessed March 20, 2017.
5. Questions to ask before taking vitamin and mineral supplements. Nutrition.gov. https://www.nutrition.gov/dietary-supplements/questions-ask-taking-vitamin-and-mineral-supplements. Accessed March 20, 2017.
6. Nutrition during pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Nutrition-During-Pregnancy#extra. Accessed June 12, 2017.
7. AskMayoExpert. Preconception care. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2017.
8. Wick M (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 6, 2017.
9. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Folic acid supplementation for the prevention neural tube defects. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2017;317:183.
10. Prenatal care, routine. Bloomington, Minn.: Institute of Clinical Systems Improvement. https://www.icsi.org/guidelines__more/catalog_guidelines_and_more/catalog_guidelines/catalog_womens_health_guidelines/prenatal/. Accessed June 21, 2017.

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Prenatal vitamins: Why they matter, how to choose

Prenatal vitamins: Why they matter, how to choose

Wonder if you need to take prenatal vitamins? Or what to do if they make you constipated? Get answers to these questions and more.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

A healthy diet is the best way to get the vitamins and minerals you need. But during pregnancy you might fall short on key nutrients. If you’re pregnant or hoping to conceive, prenatal vitamins can help fill any gaps.

Why are prenatal vitamins important?

During pregnancy, you need more folic acid and iron than usual. Here’s why:

• Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects. These defects are serious abnormalities of the fetal brain and spinal cord. Ideally, you’ll begin taking extra folic acid at least 3 months before you become pregnant.
• Iron supports the development of the placenta and fetus. Iron helps your body make blood to supply oxygen to the fetus. Iron also helps prevent anemia, a condition in which blood has a low number of healthy red blood cells.

Which prenatal vitamin is best?

Prenatal vitamins are available over-the-counter in nearly any pharmacy. Your health care provider might recommend a specific brand or leave the choice up to you.

Beyond checking for folic acid and iron, look for a prenatal vitamin that contains calcium and vitamin D. They help promote the development of the baby’s teeth and bones. It also might be beneficial to look for a prenatal vitamin that contains vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, B vitamins, zinc and iodine.

In addition, your health care provider might suggest higher doses of certain nutrients depending on the circumstances. For example, if you’ve given birth to a baby who has a neural tube defect, your health care provider might recommend a separate supplement containing a higher dose of folic acid — such as 4 milligrams (4,000 micrograms) — before and during any subsequent pregnancies.

But in general, avoid taking extra prenatal vitamins or multivitamins with dosing in excess of what you need on a daily basis. High doses of some vitamins may be harmful to your baby. For example, extra vitamin A during pregnancy can potentially cause harm to your baby.

Do I need to be concerned about other nutrients?

Omega-3 fatty acids, a type of fat found naturally in many kinds of fish, help promote a baby’s brain development. If you don’t eat fish or other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, your health care provider might recommend omega-3 fatty acid supplements in addition to prenatal vitamins.

When should I start taking prenatal vitamins?

Ideally, you’ll start taking prenatal vitamins before conception. In fact, it’s generally a good idea for women of reproductive age to regularly take a prenatal vitamin. The baby’s neural tube, which becomes the brain and spinal cord, develops during the first month of pregnancy
— perhaps before you even know that you’re pregnant.

Do prenatal vitamins have any side effects?

Sometimes the iron in prenatal vitamins contributes to constipation. To prevent constipation:

• Drink plenty of fluids
• Include more fiber in your diet
• Include physical activity in your daily routine, as long as you have your health care provider’s OK
• Ask your health care provider about using a stool softener

If these tips don’t seem to help, ask your health care provider about other options.

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May 01, 2020

Show references

1. Garner CD, et al. Nutrition in pregnancy. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Jan. 16, 2020.
2. AskMayoExpert. Preconception care. Mayo Clinic; 2019.
3. Constipation. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/constipation/treatment?dkrd=hispt0166. Accessed Jan. 16, 2020.
4. Frequently asked questions. Pregnancy FAQ001: Nutrition during pregnancy. https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Nutrition-During-Pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Accessed Jan. 16, 2020.
5. Gabbe SG, et al., eds. Nutrition during pregnancy. In: Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2017. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Jan. 16, 2020.
6. Butler Tobah YS (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. April 10, 2020.

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Protect Your Pregnancy Before You Conceive

SOURCES:

Sherry Ross, MD, OB/GYN and women’s health expert, Providence Saint John’s Health Center, Santa Monica, CA.

Randy Fiorentino, MD, OB/GYN, St. Joseph Hospital, Orange, CA.

G. Thomas Ruiz, MD, OB/GYN, MemorialCare Orange Coast Memorial Center, Fountain Valley, CA.

Postgraduate Medicine: “The Effects of Cigarette Smoking on Male Fertility.”

CDC: “Tobacco Use and Pregnancy,” “Planning for Pregnancy,” “Alcohol Use in Pregnancy,” “Fact Sheets — Alcohol Use and Your Health.”

BMJ Open: “Estimating the number of quit attempts it takes to quit smoking successfully in a longitudinal cohort of smokers.”

American Journal of Clinical Medicine: “Preconception Counseling to Prevent the Complications of Obesity During Pregnancy.”

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology: “Maternal obesity and risk of neural tube defects: a meta-analysis.”

BioMed Research International: “Maternal Obesity and Recurrence of Fetal Macrosomia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.”

March of Dimes: “Vitamins and other nutrients during pregnancy.”

American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: “Good Health Before Pregnancy: Preconception Care,” “Moderate Caffeine Consumption During Pregnancy.”

Molecular Nutrition & Food Research: “Vitamin D deficiency and pregnancy: from preconception to birth.”

National Institutes of Health: “Tay-Sachs Disease,” “Couples’ pre-pregnancy caffeine consumption linked to miscarriage risk.”

National Human Genome Research Institute: “Learning About Tay-Sachs Disease.”

F1000Research: “Substance Use During Pregnancy.”

Mayo Clinic: “Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more.”

American Journal of Epidemiology: “Association Between Use of Marijuana and Male Reproductive Hormones and Semen Quality: A Study Among 1,215 Healthy Young Men.”

Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology: “Lifestyle factors and reproductive health: taking control of your fertility.”

Scientists: multivitamins are not needed during pregnancy

July 12, 2016

Photo author, Thinkstock

Photo caption,

Researchers are sure that only folic acid and vitamin D bring real benefits to pregnant women

Taking multivitamin complexes for pregnant women – a waste of money, according to British scientists. As reported in an article published in the journal Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin, most expectant mothers simply don’t need such vitamin supplements.

Essential for pregnant women, especially in the first three months of pregnancy, folic acid and vitamin D, scientists say.

“The only nutritional supplements recommended for all women during pregnancy are folic acid and vitamin D. They are available at a relatively low cost,” the study stresses.

Researchers say they have found no evidence that multivitamin supplements improve maternal and child health.

Scientists advise pregnant women to take folic acid and vitamin D without fail and to eat a well-balanced diet.

Janet File of the Royal College of Midwives notes: “We would like to encourage pregnant women and those about to become pregnant to eat a healthy, varied diet including fresh fruits and vegetables and take folic acid.”

According to researchers, there is clear evidence for the benefits of folic acid supplementation. Taking 0.4 milligrams daily may protect against fetal abnormalities such as a neural tube defect.

Taking 10 mg of vitamin D per day will help the development and maintenance of healthy bones in both mother and baby.

Scientists warn about the threat of excessive intake of vitamins. Excessive intake of vitamin A can harm the fetus.

Eat for two?

Scientists in the study also dispel the myth of pregnancy nutrition.

“There is no need for pregnant women to eat for two,” says Janet File of the Royal College of Midwives. “It’s a myth. All that is required is a normal, balanced amount of food.”

Vitamin supplement manufacturers claim that not all women get enough nutrients.

The Health Food Manufacturers’ Association, which represents the supplement industry, insists that a significant proportion of women of childbearing age are not getting enough nutrients from their diet.

The Supplement Information Center, funded by the supplement manufacturer, advises that nutritional supplements can help cover diet deficiencies or not.

Folic acid in planning pregnancy

Any woman planning to soon become pregnant and become a mother should consciously and carefully prepare for this new status.And if everyone knows about a healthy lifestyle, parting with bad habits and walking in the fresh air, then expectant mothers often ignore taking some vitamins and medications before pregnancy. Folic acid is one of these agents.

What is folic acid?

Folic acid is a vitamin B9. You can often hear a generic name – folates, they are derivatives of this vitamin. We must understand that we get them from food, and folic acid tablets are a synthetic agent that turns into folates already inside the body.

All derivatives of vitamin B9 play an important role in hematopoiesis, that is, the formation of new blood cells. Therefore, a lack of these substances leads to anemia – a condition in which there are not enough red blood cells, or they have an irregular shape and do not fulfill their functions. Folates have another very important feature: they stimulate the formation of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), which are the basis of all cells in the body. Therefore, it is folic acid that is necessary for all rapidly dividing human tissues, including the tissues of the embryo.

Role of folic acid:

• participates in the formation of the DNA of all cells, that is, the source of hereditary information;
• stimulates hematopoiesis;
• indirectly blocks the formation of cancer cells;
• restores muscle tissue;
• during pregnancy: plays a role in the formation and development of the nervous tissue of the embryo, participates in the formation of blood vessels of the placenta.

What is folate used for during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, especially in the early stages, folate consumption increases dramatically.All cells of the embryo are intensively dividing in order to form full-fledged tissues over time. The nervous tissue of the future man is especially quickly and difficult to transform. And it is she who requires a large amount of folic acid.

Folic acid deficiency during pregnancy can occur for the following reasons:

• Insufficient dietary folate intake.
• Violation of folate absorption (in chronic inflammatory diseases of the stomach and intestines).
• Genetic disorders of the folate cycle. In rare cases, a woman’s body lacks essential enzymes (MTHFR). As a result, folic acid is not converted to folate and does not function properly. The body accumulates intermediate metabolic products, which can lead to cardiovascular diseases, neoplastic processes, infertility and miscarriage. In the presence of such a mutation, it is recommended to take folic acid derivatives, for example, Metafolin.It is absorbed faster and in greater volume.
• Taking certain anti-epilepsy and hormonal medications dramatically reduces blood folate levels:
• oral contraceptives;
• barbiturates, diphenylhydantoin;
• sulfa drugs (for example, biseptol), which inhibit the synthesis of vitamin B9 by the intestinal microflora;
• Alcohol consumption also reduces their levels.

At what stage of pregnancy should you take folic acid supplements?

Taking folic acid for the prevention of fetal malformations should be started at the stage of preparation for pregnancy, at least three months before the intended conception.That is why pregnancy should be planned. If conception happened unexpectedly, then you need to start taking the drug as soon as it became known.

Reasons for taking folate during pregnancy planning:

• With an unbalanced diet, a woman may have low folate levels, so it takes time to replenish its stores. This usually takes three to four months.
• The neural tube of the embryo is laid at such an early stage that a woman may not even be aware of the pregnancy that has happened, especially with a long menstrual cycle.
• Folate deficiency can make pregnancy difficult.

Doctors at the Intime Family Planning Clinic give the following recommendations for folic acid intake: in most cases, 400 mcg of folic acid per day should be taken three months before conception and throughout pregnancy. In some cases, the dosage is advised to be increased: up to 1 mg per day for epilepsy and diabetes mellitus; up to 4 mg per day if there have been children with neural tube defects in the past.Increased doses of folate can only be prescribed by a doctor after a thorough examination.The dose of folic acid during pregnancy remains the same.

We wish you an easy pregnancy and healthy babies!

90,000 Preconception and early pregnancy (up to 12 weeks) folate supplementation to prevent birth defects

Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate used in supplements and fortified / fortified staple foods (such as wheat and corn flour) to reduce the incidence of cases of development of neural tube defects (NTD).These include spina bifida (or congenital cleft vertebrae), in which there is an opening in one or more vertebrae – the bones of the spine, and anencephaly, when the head end of the neural tube (head) does not close. Folic acid supplementation (supplementation) is internationally recommended for women from the time they are trying (planning) to conceive / conceive until 12 weeks of pregnancy. Another option recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) is for women of reproductive age to take periodic (weekly) iron and folic acid supplements, especially in populations where the prevalence of anemia exceeds 20%.Additional insertion can also reduce other birth defects such as a cleft lip (cleft lip), with or without a cleft palate (cleft palate), as well as birth defects of the cardiovascular system. Recently, 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) has been proposed as an alternative to folate supplementation. This is because most of the dietary folate and folate is metabolized (converted) to 5-MTHF. Some women have characteristics of genes that decrease the concentration of folate in their blood.

This review confirms that folate supplementation prevents first and second time NTDs and shows that there is insufficient evidence to determine if folic acid prevents other birth defects. There is also a lack of information on the safety of other currently available alternative supplements and on possible effects on other outcomes for mothers and babies. This review of five studies involving 7391 pregnancies (2033 with previous pregnancies developing NTDs and 5358 without previous NTDs) shows protective effects of daily folate supplementation at doses ranging from 0.36 mg (360 mcg) to 4 mg (4000 mcg) per day, with and without other vitamins and minerals, until conception and up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, to prevent recurrence of these defects.Evidence was insufficient to assess the impact on other outcomes / outcomes such as cleft lip and cleft palate, miscarriages, or any other birth defects. More research is needed on different types of supplementation programs (such as 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate-5-MTHF), especially in countries where fortification of staple foods with folate, such as wheat or corn flour, is not required and where the prevalence of DNT is still high.The overall quality of the evidence for neonatal outcomes (neonatal outcomes) was high for NTDs, while it was low for other neonatal outcomes. The overall quality of the evidence for maternal outcomes was assessed as moderate.

What to look for and how to prepare

According to data
There are about 48 million of the World Health Organization in the world
couples who cannot have children.Because of this huge problem, many couples
begin to plan children well in advance. When preparing for this stage, it is important to know
not only about the usual advice, but also about various innovative tools, with
with the help of which pregnancy can occur.

Planning
children and the correct preparation for pregnancy may be known to couples,
dreaming of children. It should also be remembered that daily routines are important for this.
habits of both men and women. According to a specialist, planning
pregnancy should be a stage of responsible preparation and it is important to think about it
in advance.

5 milestones
preparation:

1. Planning
children, it is important for both parents to get rid of bad habits in advance – smoking
(not only active, but also passive), alcohol consumption, reduce
consumption of caffeine, as well as paying more attention to a nutritious diet,
especially during pregnancy.

2. Pregnant
women are encouraged to devote time to physical activity, but if you have not
trained intensely, it is better not to overdo it.Before as
become pregnant, women should pay attention to their body weight, often
too thin women find it difficult to get pregnant because ovulation may not
happen during the cycle. The recommended body mass index is 20-25.

3. For women
it is recommended to start taking folic acid vitamins before conception. Important
consume 400-800 mg of folic acid daily, it is recommended to start taking
three months before pregnancy and do this until 12-13 weeks of pregnancy.

4. Before trying
to conceive a child it is recommended that you consult your doctor about stopping
contraception. Different contraceptive methods require different transitional
periods when you can conceive a child again.

5. Param,
If you are planning a pregnancy, it is also very important to take care of yourself. Recommended
avoid trying to get pregnant with acute diseases, with chronic
diseases, trying to get pregnant is best during the period of remission.Front
pregnancy, women are advised to visit doctors, it is useful to consult with
gynecologist, visit a dentist, check health.

Measures in
at home, helping to understand the fertility of women and men

Often pairs, not
having the opportunity to have children face low fertility
sperm. Rapid diagnostic tests can also help determine
this problem. Men are often uncomfortable seeing a doctor due to problems
intimate nature, but a man can do a sperm test at home
conditions.This quick test

indicates normal
whether your fertility. Normal sperm activity is associated with more
high chance of getting pregnant.

To
get pregnant, it is important to know when ovulation occurs. To do this, you can
use tests to determine ovulation. Diagnostic test for
ovulation detection detects an increase in the level of luteinizing hormone LH
in the urine. This hormone is always present in a woman’s body, but within 24-36 hours
before ovulation, its sharp increase begins, indicating the optimal days
fertility.At the time when the test is positive, it can be assumed that
the level of hormones has reached a peak and this is the most favorable time for
pregnancy.

Nice calendar
menstrual cycles can also help you calculate your fertile days using
various mobile applications available today (for example, Clue – Period and
Cycle Tracker, Flo My Health and Period Tracker, Glow Period, Fertility Tracker
etc.) Cycle Calendar, so it’s a good idea to try multiple options and
find the one that suits you.

If during
you have not managed to get pregnant, but you regularly have sex and do not
use contraceptives, it is recommended to consult with
a specialist.

90,000 Vitamins that affect the conception of a child

31 July 2018

Vitamins are vital for all people. But for women planning pregnancy, this issue is of particular importance.

At the same time, experts recommend undergoing medical examinations and taking a course of vitamins and minerals, both for the expectant mother and the father.

There are no important and not very important vitamins. For conception and the normal course of the entire period of pregnancy, all substances are equally needed. Often, the cause of infertility is just a deficiency of some vitamins, which causes the reproductive system to malfunction.

Vitamins for conception and pregnancy

Vitamin B9 (folic acid)

With a lack of vitamin, there is a high risk of developing various pathologies in the fetus. Folic acid is responsible for the production of red blood cells. In order to eliminate the risk of miscarriage, premature birth and the birth of a premature baby, doctors prescribe vitamin B9 for women.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid)

Responsible for immunity (protective functions of the body), promotes the elimination of toxins and toxins from tissues, ensures efficiency, energy, prevents the penetration of a pathogenic infection into the body from the outside, helps to fight many diseases.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)

Provides normal functioning of the nervous system and brain function. With a deficiency, a woman has irritability, mood swings, sleep disturbances, aggressiveness, tearfulness, and there is a risk of developing severe toxicosis. Vitamin ensures the normal development of the fetal nervous system and the formation of its brain. The synthetic vitamin is well absorbed by the body and excreted in the urine. Deficiency of this vitamin leads to a decrease in the absorption of another B vitamins – B12 (cyanocobalamin).

These are just a few important vitamins. The body should receive a sufficient amount of all vitamins: A, E, D and B2, etc.

90,000 How to get pregnant? – health articles

Contents

The question of how to get pregnant today worries a huge number of women. This is not surprising! Processes
conception depends on a number of factors. To the aid of couples who want to have a child, they come today
experienced specialists and modern technologies.They can increase the chances of conceiving even
at diagnosis
“infertility”.

Why can’t I get pregnant?

Today, cases of infertility are diagnosed in about a tenth of couples. Doctors identify several reasons that
prevent conception.

Today, cases of infertility are diagnosed in about a tenth of couples. Doctors identify several reasons that
prevent conception.

The main ones include:

• menstrual irregularities
• obstruction of the fallopian tubes due to inflammatory processes or anatomical features of the body
• no ovulation
• tumor processes
• chronic diseases of the reproductive system
• Disorders of spermatogenesis
• endometriosis
• low sperm count and poor sperm quality
• gene and chromosomal abnormalities

Also, factors that prevent pregnancy include a history of abortion, neurological
diseases, bad habits, frequent stress, unfavorable environmental conditions.

How to increase the chances of pregnancy?

Increasing the chances of pregnancy allows the search and elimination of the reasons for which conception has become
impossible. Such a search should be carried out both by the man and the woman themselves, as well as by the doctors who observe them.
Collaboration always gives a positive result.

It is important to take into account that the process of conception may become impossible not only physiologically,
but also for psychological reasons. Often a woman cannot get pregnant just because
constantly exposed to stress.Infertility in men can also occur due to increased
emotional stress. In this case, the couple is referred to a psychologist and psychotherapist. Therapy can be
individual or group and allows you to achieve pronounced results even in a limited time.

Hormones also play an important role in the process of conception. It is hormones that ensure normal work
reproductive system, affect the mental state, the processes of digestion and metabolism, regulate
heart rate and determine the characteristics of the functioning of blood vessels.

Lack or excess of certain substances can lead to menstrual irregularities, be
cause of ovarian dysfunction and other serious pathologies. In this case, you cannot do
without special
treatment.

When asking the question of how you can get pregnant, you should remember that first the body needs to be prepared
to conception. Only in this case, bearing a fetus will not be associated with numerous problems.
In addition, conception itself after competent preparation is more likely to occur faster.

The search and elimination of the reasons why conception has become
impossible.

In order to get pregnant sooner and bear a healthy child, you must:

• Adhere to a healthy lifestyle. You need to regularly devote time to quality rest, classes
  sports, walks in the fresh air. You should give up bad habits. Alcohol and smoking
  cause irreparable harm to the body and lead to its general intoxication, which does not contribute to conception
• Eat right. Some foods (especially fast food) contain a large
  number
  carcinogens and carbohydrates. These substances adversely affect the functioning of almost all body systems.
  To get pregnant faster, doctors recommend getting enough vitamins.
  and trace elements. If this cannot be achieved with nutrition, it is necessary to take complex drugs that
  will be recommended by the gynecologist and therapist
• Avoid stress. Some patients are even advised to change jobs or social circles for this purpose.

Determining the optimal days of the cycle for conception also helps to increase the chances of getting pregnant. The best period
for fertilization are considered 5 days before ovulation, the time of ovulation and 5 days after it. How
define,
on what day of the menstrual cycle can you get pregnant for sure? To correctly determine the period of ovulation, you can
purchase special sets. They are sold in pharmacies.Also, a woman can measure basal temperature.
Its increase indicates ovulation.

Are there sex positions to get pregnant? There is no consensus here yet. Some
experts are inclined to believe that the best position is missionary, while others say that in order to
to conceive a child faster, you just need to lie down after intercourse, and not get up right away. Sperm need
10-15 minutes to enter the uterus.

How to get pregnant with twins?

It is believed that after the birth of a second child, the likelihood of conceiving twins increases by about 2 times.

The chances of having two children at once increase at:

• IVF (in vitro fertilization). 2 embryos can be transplanted into the uterus at the same time.
  Important! The probability of both engraftment is not 100%!
• Cancellation of hormonal drugs. If a woman has been taking them for a long time,
  after cancellation, the ovaries usually begin to work in an enhanced mode. For this reason, frequent
  cases
  twin pregnancy
• The mature age of the expectant mother. The older the woman, the higher the likelihood of conceiving two children
• Repeated pregnancies. It is believed that after the birth of a second child, the likelihood of conceiving twins
  increases by about 2 times
• Increase in the content of the hormone gonadotropin, which is responsible for the functioning of the ovaries. In the largest volume
  it stands out during daylight hours, in late spring and summer. Having sex during this period,
  you can increase the chances of conceiving two children

How to get pregnant with a boy?

It should be understood that the sex of the child is determined by the chromosome in the sperm.For birth
boys have a Y ‑ chromosome, and girls have an X. Sex cells with a Y ‑ chromosome
“Live”
in female genitals for about 24 hours and X for 72 hours. How to get pregnant
boy? Some people think that to do this, you should have sex only on the day of ovulation.

It should be understood that the sex of the child is determined by the chromosome in the sperm.

How to get pregnant with a girl?

To conceive a daughter, sex should be 3 days before ovulation.In this period
sperm
with the Y-chromosome will die.

IVF Procedure

Today, you can find a way to get pregnant for almost any woman.

One of the ways to get pregnant today is in vitro fertilization. Modern protocols
increase the chances of conception, even in couples who have long lived with a diagnosis of infertility.
Fertilization with IVF is provided outside the mother’s body. This reproductive technology includes a complex
various
procedures.The entire procedure usually takes 14–20 days.

Pre-diagnostics are mandatory. It includes not only a general assessment of the state of small organs
pelvis, thyroid and mammary glands, but also the study of hormonal levels, examination
for urogenital infections, radiography, ECG, ultrasound, etc. A woman and a man are consulted by a therapist,
urologist, gynecologist, geneticist and other specialists.

Pre-fertilization examination reveals health problems and in a timely manner
eliminate them.This increases the chances of a successful onset and pregnancy. According to the results
examination (if there are problems) the doctor determines the individual treatment regimen for the spouses
before holding
fertilization.

IVF is carried out in stages and includes:

1. Controlled ovulation stimulation. To increase the chances of pregnancy, a woman takes
   hormonal
   drugs that promote the maturation of several follicles
2. Follicle puncture. The doctor monitors their growth and performs a puncture at the right time.
   Ultrasound-guided (to reduce the risk of damage to the ovaries or fallopian tubes) using a long
   fine needle
   the reproductive specialist pierces the follicles, and their contents enter special tubes. Follicular
   the liquid is immediately transferred to the laboratory, where the embryologist searches for eggs
3. Delivery of sperm by a man and direct fertilization. After collection, ejaculate is transferred
   to the laboratory for further processing, during which the fraction of the most active
   sperm.And further
   fertilization is carried out – the connection of male and female germ cells. Then fertilized
   eggs (embryos) are grown under special conditions for 5-6 days
4. Embryo replanting. During the transfer, the embryo is placed in a soft, flexible catheter, which
   painlessly
   penetrates the cervix. The procedure is performed without anesthesia, but if necessary, it can be
   used
   local anesthetic drugs.The rest of the high-quality embryos can be frozen at the request of the spouses.

Important! Today, you can find a way to get pregnant for almost any woman.

Advantages of contacting MEDSI

Our specialists provide not only the processes of conception, but also the management of pregnancy, as well as recovery after childbirth.

• Qualified specialists in the field of gynecology and reproductive medicine. Our doctors have
  great professional experience and have the necessary knowledge and skills
• Modern diagnostic techniques. They allow you to identify existing pathologies, control
  their treatment and ensure faster recovery and rehabilitation of patients. For diagnostics
  MEDSI clinic uses advanced equipment
• Providing a full range of services. Our specialists provide not only the processes of conception,
  but also pregnancy management and recovery after childbirth
• Own laboratory. It carries out all the necessary manipulations with biological material
  (inspection, cleaning, etc.)
• Individual approach. We offer an integrated approach and take into account all the factors that can
  become barriers to the birth of a baby. On the basis of our specialized center,
  reproductive psychologist who will give confidence on the way to the result
• Automated system for identification of biological material. The FertiProof system is the first
  in Russia and guarantees the exclusion of the human factor of “substitution” of biomaterial
  throughout all stages of the IVF program
• Compliance with international standards. We have provided multi-stage indoor air purification,
  automated maintenance of pressure, temperature and humidity level
• Opportunities for preparation for IVF and fertilization programs. We have
  capabilities to solve all problems related to the provision of protocols and provide a comprehensive
  approach to them
• Comfort of visiting the clinic. We took care of the absence of queues and the need for
  in a long wait for the reception. You can undergo examination and treatment, you can use the IVF service with us
  at a convenient time. The clinic is located near the metro, which allows its residents to visit any
  districts of the capital

To find out how to get pregnant, get answers to other questions, use the services of MEDSI, it is enough
call
by number +7 (495) 7-800-500
You can also make an appointment using the SmartMed app.

• Experienced Reproductive Health Professionals
• Wide range of medical services
• Laboratory of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)

Our doctors

Head of the Department of Assisted Reproductive Technologies, Reproductologist

Doctor of the first qualification category

Fertility specialist

Candidate of Medical Sciences

Fertility specialist

90,000 Actifolin 2 mg “Polski Lek S.A.

Gastro-resistant tablets.
Food supplement.
In a state of increased folate deficiency.

Folate (including folic acid) belongs to the group of water-soluble B vitamins. They are involved in the process of cell division and help in the proper production of blood. They are extremely important, especially for the developing fetus. Supplemental folate intake increases maternal folate levels. Low maternal folate levels are a risk factor for neural tube defects in the developing fetus1.According to experts’ recommendations, every expectant mother, as well as all women of childbearing age who may become pregnant, should additionally take an appropriate amount of folate – 0.4 mg of folic acid per day2,3. Unfortunately, it can happen that a woman planning a pregnancy and being pregnant cannot absorb the required amount of the traditional form of folic acid. Scientific research in Poland confirmed that this problem is genetic and can affect up to 50% of women4.How then can we be sure that we are providing the child with the necessary amount of this valuable ingredient? ActiFolin® comes to the rescue, providing a unique, comprehensive source of folate. The rationale for using a comprehensive source of folate to prevent neural tube defects in all women planning a pregnancy and pregnant women is supported by the opinion of a group of experts in the field of gynecology5. If you are not sure if you are absorbing folic acid correctly, start using ActiFolin®.

ActiFolin® is a revolutionary formula containing a complex source of folate:
1. folic acid
and additionally
2. an active, ready-to-use form of folate IV generation, especially for those women who may have problems with the absorption of traditional folic acid … This folate has better solubility and higher bioavailability compared to generation III folate6,7. ActiFolin® is a product designed for women of childbearing age who are planning to become pregnant and who are pregnant.One ActiFolin® tablet contains 1 mg of folic acid and 1 mg of Quatrefolic® active folate. Quatrefolic® has a GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) safety status recognized by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).

A balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle are essential for maintaining health.

letter

1. Medical Statement: “Supplemental folate intake increases maternal folate levels.Low maternal folate is a risk factor for neural tube defects in a developing fetus. The beneficial effect is achieved with an additional daily intake of 400 mcg of folic acid for at least one month before conception and up to three months after conception. There are many risk factors for the disease to which this statement applies. Changing one of these risk factors may or may not be beneficial.
2. Recommendations of the Polish Gynecological Society regarding the use of vitamins and minerals by women planning pregnancy, pregnant and lactating.Ginekol.Pol. 2014, 85, 395-399.
3. Views of the Panel of Experts from the Ministry of Health and Human Services. Żyw Człow Metabol 1997; 24: 91–95.
4. Seremak-Mrozikevich A. and unitary enterprise. Archives of Perinatal Medicine 19 (1), 12-18, 2013.
5. Dembski R. Pashkovski T. Velgos M. The use of complex sources of folate in the prevention of neural tube defects and other disorders caused by folate deficiency in planning pregnancy and pregnancy. Medical standards health prevention No. 1.Volume 1.2015.
6. Gnosis S.p.A. Pre-clinical study In vivo comparative oral bioavailability of Quatrefolic® in rats versus folic acid and (6S) -5-MTHF calcium salt.
7. Gnosis S.p.A. Clinical study crossover comparative bioavailability study of Quatrefolic® compared with the reference Metafolin® in health volunteers.

Composition: fillers: cellulose, sorbitol; thickener: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose; anti-caking agents: polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol; (6S) -5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid glucosamine salt; pteroyl monoglutamic acid; filler substance: talc; triglycerides of medium chain saturated fatty acids; colorant: titanium dioxide, iron oxides and hydroxides, riboflavins.

¹ RWS -% of daily recommended intake (for adults)

² RDS – Recommended daily intake based on expert opinion Dembski R., Pashkovski T., Velgos M. The use of complex sources of folate in the prevention of neural tube defects. Medical Standards / Health Prevention No. 1.