Having children is the dream of many married couples, let alone those who have been married a long time. Some might seek out traditional massage treatments, see gynaecologists, change lifestyles or even resort to taking supplements and vitamins for pregnancy.
While vitamins or medications may not necessarily prove to be immediately effective for pregnancy, they can play important roles in a woman’s health and are important for a variety of functions, including:
- Menstruation and ovulation
- Thyroid function
- Energy production
- Immune function
- Quality and maturation of eggs
Therefore, intake of vitamins is very crucial when creating an environment for a healthy pregnancy. A number of nutrients found in certain vitamins may also reduce the symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which is a cause of infertility and a difficult pregnancy.
These vitamins can even be helpful for men, as studies have shown that certain supplements can help increase sperm volume and mobility.
How To Choose The Right Vitamins for Pregnancy?
- For women, look for products that contain a minimum of 400 mcg of folate (consider using an active form of methylation), a minimum of 300 mg of choline, 150 mcg of iodine, 18 mg of iron, and at least 600 IU of vitamin D.
- For men, look for a multivitamin with adequate antioxidants, providing about 200% of the daily value for vitamins C, E and zinc.
Do keep in mind that certain vitamins used in pregnancies are not necessarily risk-free and may cause unpleasant side effects, hence follow dosage instructions on labels carefully, and always consult a doctor before starting a new vitamin or supplement.
8 Types of Vitamins for Pregnancy
#1 Acetyl L-Carnitine
Recommended Product: MRM Acetyl L-Carnitine 500 mg 60 Vegan Capsules
This supplement is a form of the amino acid L-Carnitine (LC), which occurs naturally in the body and helps convert fats into energy.
Sometimes, ALC and LC are taken together to increase fertility in women. Research has shown that both ALC and LC can increase sperm mobility in men.
Suitable for: Men and women
Fertility benefits: Helps sperm movement; contains antioxidants that promote a healthy female reproductive system
Advantages:
- Helps with focusing
- Non-GMO product
- Vegan
- Produced in a GMP-certified facility
- Strengthens memory
- Antioxidant support
- Cognitive support
#2 Vitamin B
Recommended product: Blackmores Executive B
Higher intakes of vitamins B-1, B-2, B-3, B-6 and B-12 is associated with a lower risk of ovulatory infertility. Several studies have linked low levels of vitamin B-12 with female infertility.
Additionally, research has shown that higher levels of B-12 and folate can improve women’s fertility and that B vitamins can help improve sperm quality as well.
Suitable for: Men and women
Fertility benefits: Helps improve egg health and prevent ovulatory infertility; can improve sperm quality
Advantages:
- A combination of B group vitamins and Magnesium, and Zinc
- Ideal for those with busy lifestyles, only requires one daily dose
- Nutrients in it are important for bodily functions
#3 Coenzyme Q10
Recommended product: HEALTHY CARE CoEnzyme Q10 150mg
Our body produces Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) by itself, but this product can help increase blood flow, which can be beneficial when looking to conceive, especially in the case of IVF.
A study in 2018 found that pre-supplementation with CoQ10 improved ovarian responses in women undergoing IVF.
CoQ10 supplementation can also increase sperm concentration and mobility in men experiencing infertility.
Suitable for: Men and women
Fertility benefits: Enhances ovarian responses in women undergoing IVF; increases sperm mobility
Advantages:
- Supports heart health and energy production in muscles
- Maintains healthy heart tissue and a healthy cardiovascular system
- Increases energy production
- Powerful antioxidants and free radical blockers
- Maintains normal cholesterol in healthy individuals
- Helps muscles function, increases stamina and endurance
- Maintenance of a healthy immune system
#4 Vitamin D
Recommended product: Blackmores Vitamin D3
A 2019 analysis found low levels of vitamin D in women dealing with infertility due to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (POS).
Vitamin D plays a crucial role in both female and male reproductive functions. Research has shown that vitamin D deficiency may be related to infertility in both men and women, so it is important to test for such deficiency.
Suitable for: Men and women
Fertility benefits: Increases ovarian stimulation and semen quality
Advantages:
- Helps with the absorption of calcium and phosphate which are essential for healthy bones
- Vitamin D3 maintains healthy bone density
- Supports muscle strength
#5 Folic Acid
Recommended product: Appeton Essentials Folic Acid
Folate supplementation is often associated with a greater chance of conceiving, increased success rates with fertility treatment, and a reduced risk of neural tube defects in infants. For pregnant women, the recommended RDA of folic acid is 600 micrograms (mcg).
Additionally, it is recommended that women planning to conceive require a daily dose of 400 to 800 mcg of folic acid at least a month before pregnancy.
Suitable for: Men and women
Fertility benefits: Helps with conceiving, improves outcomes from fertility treatment
Advantages:
- Prevents Bifida and other spinal damage
- Essential for DNA synthesis
- Helps support the placenta
- Prevents megaloblastic anaemia
#6 Iron
Recommended product: NATURELO Vegan Iron Supplement
Ovulatory infertility, a potential barrier to conceiving, can be caused by iron deficiency. A long-term study on over 18,000 women showed that iron helps reduce the risk of ovulatory infertility.
Suitable for: Women
Fertility benefits: Prevents iron deficiency anaemia
Advantages:
- Increases energy and reduces fatigue without nausea or constipation as side effects
- The addition of Vitamin C further increases iron absorption, allowing for better results
- Designed for individuals with common iron deficiency, such as pregnant women, menstruating women, vegans and vegetarians, dialysis patients, frequent blood donors, and anaemic women or men.
- Premium ingredients that are non-GMO, natural, gluten-free, soy-free, vegetarian and do not contain dyes, flavours, or any form of preservatives.
#7 Omega-3
Recommended product: BIO-LIFE MaxX Fish Oil
The consumption of seafood as part of a healthy diet has been linked to higher fertility in both men and women, and if you do not take Omega-3 rich seafood on a regular basis, this supplement may be beneficial for you while trying to conceive.
Suitable for: Men and women
Fertility benefits: Increases sperm mobility; helps achieve pregnancy
Advantages:
- High quality, pure double strength fish oil providing concentrated marine fish oil rich in omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
- Supports the functioning of a healthy body
- Omega-3 fatty acids extracted from small deep sea fish such as anchovies
#8 Selenium
Recommended products: 21st Century Selenium 200 mcg
Research in 2015 reported that selenium deficiency is a factor in miscarriages, low semen quality and poor sperm mobility.
According to a more recent 2019 study, selenium can also help maintain the health of follicular fluid around a woman’s eggs.
Suitable for: Men and women
Fertility benefits: Helps with conceiving
Advantages:
- Men need higher amounts of selenium and this supplement can help with that
- Regular intake of selenium helps prevent dandruff and other fungal skin infections
- May be effective in reducing arthritic pain and inflammation
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