When you’re ready to have a baby, sometimes getting pregnant doesn’t happen as quickly as you would like to. Many people don’t realize that it’s hard to not only get pregnant but to remain pregnant past your first menstrual cycle. After everything is said and done, even if you have an egg that becomes fertilized, we have only about a one in four chance of that fertilized egg staying in place and resulting in pregnancy in our peak fertile years. While it’s important to learn how to practice self-care as a new mom, it’s equally important to practice it while trying to conceive. If you and your partner are trying to conceive and still haven’t gotten that big, fat-positive test result yet, some supplements are worth giving a try. Of course, if you struggle for longer than six months to a year, it’s worth requesting a fertility test from a specialist, but before you panic, try these natural routes first.
Vitamin D
Over the last two years, many of us have learned more about Vitamin D than we ever thought we would! It is a crucial vitamin to our overall health and something that many people are significantly lacking – unbeknownst to them. Vitamin D is a supplement that you and your partner should be taking to boost fertility. It not only improves semen quality, but it increases ovarian stimulation.
Folic Acid
Folic Acid is something you’ll hear a lot about when you first start your journey to try and conceive. Folic Acid is essential for female reproductive health – it not only helps you achieve pregnancy it also improves the outcome of any fertility treatments you may be undergoing. High levels of Folate before even trying to conceive are associated with better chances of getting pregnant and preventing specific congenital disabilities from developing – specifically neural tubes.
Prenatal DHA
While the term “advanced maternal age” applies to women over 35, most would have a bone to pick with that term. Still, if you’re trying to conceive over 35, the importance of Omegas can’t be overstated. Making sure you’re taking a high-quality prenatal DHA increases your chances of conception in your mid to late thirties and beyond. This supplement is also vital for men in those age groups as it increases sperm mobility. If you don’t regularly consume Omega-rich kinds of seafood in your diet, or he doesn’t, this supplement is a must.
Iron
Ovular infertility, which is one of several roadblocks that can prevent a woman from conceiving, can be helped by supplementing iron in your diet. There are ways to add iron to your diet, like red meat, shellfish, spinach, and many other ways. You can also opt for an Iron supplement. Some iron supplements may cause nausea, so check with your GP about which one is right for you and how and when to take it.
Zinc
Zinc is a crucial mineral to overall health and immunity, and just like Vitamin D, many of us aren’t getting enough of it. Supplementing Zinc in pill or liquid form is easy, and the benefits are enormous. Zinc is another one that both men and women trying to conceive should include in their regimen. Zinc helps your conception journey by improving sperm quality, fertilization, and egg development.
Selenium
You have probably heard of and are familiar with all the supplements mentioned above, but Selenium may be a new one for you. This powerful supplement has significant benefits when it comes to preventing miscarriage. It should be taken by both parents that are trying for a baby as it improves the quality of semen, but it also benefits after fertilization by preventing miscarriage.
Vitamin E
Most women are familiar with Vitamin E regarding skin health as it’s a key ingredient in many creams and serums. You may not know that it plays a vital role in conception as well! Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that can benefit both men and women. It boosts sperm mobility and overall female reproductive health. Win/win for everyone!
While supplements are crucial to any healthy lifestyle, they are just that – supplements. They supplement along with the healthy choices you’re already making. So, make sure you and your partner are making healthy food choices and maintaining healthy levels of fitness as well. And remember to consult with an infertility specialist, as they can provide additional guidance and advice on other infertility treatments and how to cope with them properly. Conception can feel like a rocky road, but you’re not alone, and you’ll come to your dream family through one path or another. So, here’s to your journey and your health!
