For women who are trying to get pregnant, there are countless vitamins, supplements and over-the-counter medications available to help. It can be quite confusing to determine what you need and what you don’t. If you’re trying to get pregnant, here are a few medications and supplements you might consider taking.
Prenatal vitamins
Most women don’t start taking prenatal vitamins until they find out they’re pregnant, however, women should start taking prenatal vitamins a few months before they plan to get pregnant. Taking prenatal vitamins a few months, or even a year before conception will positive benefit the mother and baby’s health because those important vitamins and minerals are already built up in the body ahead of time. If you plan to conceive any time soon, even within the next year or two, starting prenatal vitamins now can help promote your and your baby’s health.
Evening primrose oil
Evening primrose oil is high in vitamin E and contains a substance known as gamma linolenic acid. Gamma linolenic acid is believed to improve the quality of cervical mucous around the time of ovulation and makes the vagina a less hostile environment for sperm. Women who don’t produce adequate amounts of cervical mucous may benefit from evening primrose oil, however, evening primrose oil should only be taken from the first day of a woman’s period to the day of ovulation. Evening primrose oil should not be taken after ovulation because it can cause uterine cramps that could affect an fertilized egg’s ability to implant.
Royal Jelly
Royal jelly is a special food produced by bees to be fed to queen bee larvae and is believed to have multiple benefits when used by humans. Royal jelly is high in amino acid, vitamins, sugars, lipids and proteins. Royal jelly is especially high in vitamin D and vitamin E, which help to promote overall health and well-being. In women who are trying to become pregnant, royal jelly is believed to help address hormonal imbalances, aid in regulating the endocrine system and improve egg quality. Women who suffer from irregular period or conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome may benefit from the way royal jelly mimics the actions of estrogen in the body.
Folic acid
Folic acid has long been known for improving the health of an unborn baby and preventing neurological defects and conditions such as spina bifida. New research indicates that folic acid isn’t only good for an unborn baby, but that it may increase a woman’s chances of getting pregnant as well. According to the study, women who took folic acid daily had a 40% lower chance of having problems ovulating and therefore, had a higher chance of becoming pregnant.
Vitamin B6
For women who have shorter luteal phases, vitamin B6 may be a beneficial supplement while trying to get pregnant. Vitamin B6 is known for aiding in fertility and menstrual concerns. In women who are trying to get pregnant, vitamin B6 may help to extend a short luteal phase. The luteal phases is the period of time after ovulation to the next period. When a woman has a luteal phase of ten days or less, it can make it difficult to conceive. Using vitamin B6 after ovulation for 12 to 14 days may help to lengthen the luteal phase and increase the odds of conception.
More From Yahoo! Voices
Soy Isoflavones: A Natural Alternative to Clomid
Royal Jelly: A Natural Fertility Booster
Vitex: A Natural Fertility Booster
