Not all women have the same needs for a prenatal vitamin. Women have different attributes around diet, lifestyle, fitness, and health; therefore, their nutritional supplementation requirements will differ. When the mass market suggests there is one prenatal formula, this is flawed thinking. Fortunately, there are now options for women to go through a personalized vitamin assessment and receive a formula that is tailored to their needs, while still containing the essential elements of prenatal nutrition.
A key supplementation need for pregnant women is omega-3. It was essential to us to find a way to add a high-quality omega-3 product to a vitamin regimen without compromising the purity of the product or the amounts needed to meet the standards of a quality prenatal product. In addition to containing other elements that are essential for pregnant women, this booster features a high-quality omega-3 product, which is an especially important component of any good prenatal vitamin.
A 2011 study in the United Kingdom showed that women taking a multivitamin were more likely to both get pregnant and stay pregnant. It is not surprising that getting adequate nutrition would be helpful in pregnancy. From an evolutionary standpoint it makes sense that women would be more likely to successfully carry a child if their own health needs are met adequately. We believe a few essential vitamins can be an important factor for most women who are trying to conceive. Vitamin D deficiency is linked to infertility. Research shows women who have sufficient vitamin D levels are more likely to become pregnant (and produce high-quality embryos if undergoing in vitro) than those who are deficient in this essential vitamin. Somehow, we are not surprised. Vitamin D, more than other nutrients, has been found to be essential for things ranging from bone density to dementia prevention, immunity, and cancer prevention. It only makes sense that it would also play some role in fertility.
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that we typically get from the sun. However, with the widespread use of sunscreen and the many of us who live in more temperate climates without year-round sun exposure,
many or most of us have subnormal vitamin D levels. Because of the fat-soluble nature of vitamin D, it is slow to be absorbed and therefore can sometimes take six to twelve months to see levels normalize.
Another vitamin that is important when trying to conceive is folate. This B vitamin plays a role in nerve growth and function. It is essential to fetal neural tube development. Women deficient in this when pregnant have higher risks of birth defects such as spina bifida (a sometimes severe spinal cord issue) in their babies. While folate is found in many fruits and vegetables as well as some cereals and breads (which are fortified with it), it is generally recommended that women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant take a supplement containing a form of folate, folic acid (starting at least six months in advance of trying to get pregnant). Many common multivitamins and prenatal vitamins contain significant amounts of this essential nutrient. However, many women do not realize that they should supplement in advance of trying to conceive. Most think only of taking prenatal vitamins once pregnant. Taking folic acid in advance of getting pregnant may help with both fertility itself and then the health of the fetus.
Similarly, when trying to get pregnant, it is important to have optimal thyroid function. The thyroid is a gland that regulates metabolism, and if not operating properly it is a common cause of infertility. The thyroid affects the brain’s regulation of the menstrual cycle. Thus a woman whose thyroid is underactive may get erratic periods and not ovulate with regularity. Those who are prone to thyroid problems may need more or different medication when pregnant; thus, consult with your doctor prior to conception if at all possible. When it comes to vitamins, iodine plays an important role in thyroid function. The thyroid gland relies on iodine in proper amounts to produce thyroid hormone. Worldwide, iodine deficiency is a huge problem and a significant cause of miscarriages and birth defects. In the Western world, many processed foods contain iodine due to their high iodized salt content. As many of us start eating more healthfully and avoiding processed foods, often cooking with sea salt or kosher salt, we have lost our source of iodine. Our attempts to be healthy have served us well in many regards but have failed us when it comes to iodine consumption and its role in thyroid health. Therefore, a good multivitamin should contain an adequate amount of iodine (but not an excess amount since that can have toxic effects). For pregnancy, the recommended amount of iodine increases to 220 mcg daily (and while nursing, more is required). While many of us get some of this from food sources, a supplement is often a good insurance policy.
Many but not all prenatal vitamins contain the necessary iodine, so check yours to be certain it is included. But beware: Taking too much iodine can be dangerous, causing the thyroid to in fact malfunction. This is a situation where too much of a good thing is not better.
Another vitamin that is important in conception, pregnancy, and the postpartum period is iron. Regular menstruation, pregnancy, and breastfeeding all are known to significantly deplete iron stores. It is best to get ahead of the game with an iron-containing vitamin. It is likely that building up iron stores is another way your body gets ready for conception. Once a woman is pregnant, the baby needs iron for development, and both mother and child rely on iron to make red blood cells that carry oxygen to tissues. However, many people have trouble with iron, which can cause an upset stomach or constipation.
Discover your personalized vitamin blend by going through an assessment of your needs. There are several companies that offer online assessment tools to help navigate you to the optimal formula. Look for a brand that is trustworthy with a steady track record of serving customers and reputable physicians involved in the process.
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