When you’re trying to get pregnant, your fertility specialist at one of our First Fertility centers may add a regimen of prenatal vitamins to your daily routine and fertility treatments. Prenatal vitamins have many benefits when you’re trying to conceive, as well as once you’re pregnant.
When Should I Begin Taking Prenatal Vitamins?
Our fertility specialists recommend that you and your partner begin taking prenatal vitamins before you are pregnant. If you’re trying to conceive, begin taking prenatal vitamins about a month before you start trying. There are prenatal vitamins available for both men and women.
In addition to prenatal vitamins, you can get additional nutrients and minerals by changing your diet and eating healthy. Even if you change your diet, you should continue to take prenatal vitamins to ensure you get all the nutrients your body needs to prepare for and maintain a pregnancy.
Choosing Prenatal Vitamins
Your fertility specialist may recommend a specific brand of prenatal vitamins or specific prenatal vitamins, such as folic acid or calcium, to begin with. When shopping for vitamins, select brands labeled with:
- NSF International
- US Pharmacopeia
- Underwriters Laboratory
- Consumer Lab seal
Many of these labels indicate that third-party testing has been done, which has verified that the ingredients listed are accurate and that the product is quality and safe.
As you shop, look for vitamins that don’t have additional ingredients or make claims that seem too good to be true. Vitamins with additional ingredients and claim to do more than the average vitamin often have additional ingredients that can cause side effects or may have a different dosage of that vitamin than described on the label.
Types of Prenatal Vitamins
Calcium is an essential prenatal vitamin because it helps preserve your bone density before and during pregnancy. As you prepare for a child, ensuring that you have enough calcium to support yourself and another being helps reduce the odds of bone density loss.
Iron helps your body create more blood, which supplies oxygen to yourself and, when you’re pregnant, to your baby. Taking iron can help cure or prevent amenia, which many women experience at some point in their lives.
It’s recommended that you continue to take prenatal vitamins during your pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins supply you with many key supplements that you and your baby will need, including:
- Fish Oil
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin E
We can answer questions you have about your prenatal vitamin regime and how these vitamins may work with your fertility treatments.
Folic Acid Prevents Neural Tube Defects
One of the most important prenatal vitamins is folic acid. The general recommendation is that you take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day before and during pregnancy. Folic acid prepares your body for pregnancy and helps your baby grow and develop once you’re pregnant. Men can also take folic acid, which may improve the health of their sperm and increase fertility.
When you’re pregnant, continue to take folic acid to prevent the development of neural tube defects. If neural tubes are not developed properly, it can lead to conditions such as spina bifida or exposed spinal nerve endings. Genetic testing may indicate if your child is more likely to develop these conditions. Your fertility specialist can make recommendations on when genetic testing may be needed and navigate the results of that testing with you.
Discuss Prenatal Vitamins With Your Fertility Specialist
You and your fertility specialist can discuss prenatal vitamins as part of your future pregnancy plans. It may be a part of your fertility treatment designed to help you get on the path to parenthood. Schedule an appointment at one of our First Fertility centers today.
