Vitamins to take to get pregnant
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Essential Vitamins for Enhancing Fertility and Pregnancy Outcomes
Introduction to Vitamins and Pregnancy
Vitamins play a crucial role in enhancing fertility and ensuring a healthy pregnancy. Various vitamins contribute to different aspects of maternal and fetal health, from conception through gestation. This article synthesizes current research on the most important vitamins to consider when trying to conceive and during pregnancy.
Vitamin B6, B12, and C: Maternal and Fetal Health
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is beneficial for reducing nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and may improve birth weight. Supplementation has shown a significant positive effect on birth weight, with an increase of approximately 217 grams. However, its impact on other neonatal outcomes like preterm birth and perinatal morbidity is not significant .
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is essential for preventing neural tube defects and supporting fetal growth, especially in populations with limited intake of animal products . Although direct intervention trials are lacking, theoretical considerations suggest that B12 supplementation could be beneficial.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, often combined with Vitamin E, does not significantly reduce the incidence of pre-eclampsia or other adverse pregnancy outcomes and may increase the risk of pregnancy-related hypertension . Therefore, routine Vitamin C supplementation is not recommended during pregnancy.
Vitamin D: Fertility and Pregnancy Outcomes
Importance of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is integral to calcium homeostasis and bone health, and it has multiple roles throughout the body, including the immune system . Deficiency in Vitamin D during pregnancy is linked to several adverse outcomes such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, and low birth weight .
Supplementation Guidelines
The UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends that all women take 10 µg of Vitamin D daily throughout pregnancy, ideally starting before conception. Supplementation with higher doses (601 IU/day or more) may reduce the risk of gestational diabetes but does not significantly impact pre-eclampsia or preterm birth. Ensuring adequate Vitamin D levels is crucial for preventing neonatal hypocalcaemia and supporting fetal skeletal development .
Folate: Preventing Neural Tube Defects
Folate is critical for preventing congenital malformations such as neural tube defects, orofacial clefts, and cardiac anomalies. Pregestational supplementation of 400 µg/day of folate is recommended when planning pregnancy . Folate deficiency can lead to severe outcomes, including spontaneous abortions and pre-eclampsia.
Vitamin A: Balancing Deficiency and Excess
Vitamin A is essential for fetal development and ocular integrity. However, both deficiency and excess intake can be problematic. In regions with Vitamin A deficiency, supplementation is recommended to prevent night blindness and improve birth weight, especially in HIV-infected women . Conversely, excessive intake can be teratogenic, particularly in the first 60 days post-conception.
Conclusion
In summary, several vitamins are crucial for enhancing fertility and ensuring a healthy pregnancy. Vitamin B6 and B12 are important for fetal growth and preventing neural tube defects, while Vitamin D is essential for preventing gestational complications and supporting fetal skeletal development. Folate is critical for preventing congenital malformations, and Vitamin A must be balanced to avoid deficiency and excess. Proper supplementation of these vitamins can significantly improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
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