Do Prenatal Vitamins Help You Get Pregnant?
Prenatal vitamins are also called prenatal supplements. These are vitamin and mineral supplements taken not only before pregnancy but also during conception and even while lactating. Taking prenatal vitamins is perfectly healthy for those who want to get pregnant. While prenatal vitamins don’t support fertility, the essential content help replenish iron, vitamin D, calcium, and iron stores in the body.
In this post, you’ll learn more about prenatal vitamins, including their benefits when it comes to pregnancy.
Yes, Sufficient Folic Acid for Healthy Pregnancy
The vitamins and minerals in prenatal vitamins with DHA keep you strong, preventing potential health complications brought about by an unexpected pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins usually include 400 micrograms of folic acid. If you’re planning to conceive, take folic acid for at least one month before conception and during your first trimester. You don’t need extra folic acid if you’re already taking prenatal vitamins because the folic acid content is already sufficient for a healthy pregnancy.
Here are the benefits of folic acid for those who want to get pregnant:
- Folate metabolism significantly affects implantation, embryogenesis, and ovarian function, which are vital for ovarian health. That’s why women diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS are usually prescribed with folic acid.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC, taking a sufficient amount of folic acid before and during pregnancy reduces the chances of spina bifida and other neural-tube defects by 50 to 70 percent.
- Folic acid also improves the sperm count in men. While prenatal vitamins are specifically intended for women, men can also take the necessary multivitamins containing folic acid to improve sperm count.
- Men consuming folate have a lower frequency of sperm abnormalities. Paternal micronutrients affect embryonic development through genetic regulation.
Yes, Prenatal Vitamins Meet Calcium Requirements
Prenatal vitamins are an essential diet supplementation containing 200 to 300 milligrams of calcium, which is a vital nutrient during pregnancy. It helps build healthy bones for you and your baby. Also, if you’re planning to get pregnant, taking prenatal vitamins can provide the right amount of calcium to prepare your bones for carrying your growing baby for nine months.
