“Is it always recommended to take prenatal vitamins?” “Is taking medicine dangerous for pregnant women?” “Does it have any side effects?” These are some of the questions that bother pregnant women today. To note, pregnancy is one of the most significant events that a woman has to experience in her life. Not to mention of course, the thrill and excitement it brings.

For many experts, women who are found to have been taking prenatal vitamins are discovered to be healthier and it also proved to have the same effect on their child while still in the mother’s womb. If you are thinking that eating the right kinds of food is already enough, you’d better think twice.

Many fertility experts recommend that if possible, pregnant women should not limit themselves in eating foods only. It is also advised that women should take prenatal vitamins. This is not to replace the nutrients, but instead, supplement the other nutrients present inside the body.

One very important prenatal vitamin necessary for pregnant women to take is folic acid. Folic acid, which is part of the vitamin B family is critical for a strong pregnancy and healthy fetal development. This vitamin is not only intended for pregnant women who are less healthy during pregnancy but it also holds true even for healthy pregnant women. Folic acid is known to reduce the risk of birth defects like spina bifida, neural tube defects and other birth defects like congenital heart conditions. Spina bifida is the most common neural tube defect. These congenital abnormalities can be a major problem for the family and is also a threat to a child’s life. Women therefore,should take an abundant quantity of folic acid not only when one becomes pregnant, but also during the time when you are already preparing yourself for pregnancy. To note, some doctors advise pregnant women to take 200 micrograms (mcg)of folic acid or also known as folate everyday.

In a study reported by MRC Vitamin Study Research Group in 1991, deficiencies of folic acid during pregnancy were associated with low birth weight and an increased incidence of neural tube defects. Another study in 1996 showed that folic acid significantly helps prevent neural tube defects, urinary tract and cardiovascular defects.

Iron, which is a main component of hemoglobin carries oxygen which helps in the transportation from the pregnant woman down to her child. It enhances the child’s growth and also helps the mother maintain a healthy body during childbirth.

The third recommended prenatal vitamin is Vitamin A. Again, Vitamin A is important for healthy embryonic development, cellular and tissue growth. It also helps in the development of other parts in the body such as our eyes, hearts, skin and our mucous membranes. More importantly, Vitamin A helps us fight infections and repair damaged tissues. It also helps with lactation to replace that lost in breastfeeding.

Thus, intake of prenatal vitamins is truly essential for women not only during pregnancy but onwards. And what’s best about it is knowing that you have also imparted a healthy life to your child.

Natasha Marryat runs the Why Can’t I Get Pregnant blog where she blogs about pregnancy issues. Hop over to her blog to learn more about trying to get pregnant.

Newspapers have been writing a lot about fertility and the fact that more and more women are making a choice to start a family in their 30’s or 40’s. Girls these days are highly likely to have a high flying career and be considering town trips, shoe shopping and sports autos, and a lot less about Mothercare, changing nappies, and pushing carts.

The average age for giving birth in the United Kingdom is going up about 2 months annually. The average age in 2007 was 29.3 years compared with 28.6 years in 2001. Statistics prove the average woman under thirty will get pregnant within the first 6 months and those in their early thirty’s may take up to and longer than 9 months. From 35 onwards it might take one year.

Some girls are spending a lot of money trying to increase their possibilities of conceiving naturally, but this should be a nonessential expense. Lord Robert Winston, pioneer of IVF treatment, informed the Daily Mail that girls who freeze their eggs to delay maternity are being given fake hopes by fertility clinics. He goes on to claim that this does not in any way guarantee that a ladies will become pregnant or go on to have a healthy baby.

So without ditching the thrilling lifestyle what are you able to do to help increase your fitness for that ‘maybe baby’ stage? Being healthy is much easier than you’d think. Here are some tips

For her :

Iron

Most ladies recognize iron as a vital mineral for good health. In spite of this data, iron deficiency is regarded the commonest nutritive deficiency and the most influenced group are ladies of child bearing age. Studies have shown that even delicate inadequacies of iron are linked to reduced fertility. It would seem that a deficiency of iron may play a role in ovulatory dysfunction. Take daily Iron additions ( look for non-constipating form )

Essential trans acids

The force on women to stay slim has lead to many women adopting very fat free diets. Unfortunately, this pattern of eating is related to a decline in fertility. The necessary trans acids ( found in nuts, seeds and oily fish ) have many functions across the body, including balancing the hormones involved in fertility. Try Omega 3-6-9 capsules with a mix of high quality fish, flax and borage oil.

Multivitamin and mineral formula

A multivitamin and mineral formula has for a while been regarded as a measure for general wellness and as health insurance. Studies now suggest a multivitamin formula might also be beneficial for maintaining fertility in girls. Studies in the late 90s showed that girls who frequently took a multivitamin formula, were less certain to be infertile due to ovulatory failure than people who didn’t. Similarly, the more frequent and regular the supplements were taken, the better the result.

Try Solgar’s Female Multivitamin & Mineral complex

Vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 ( sometimes called the sunshine vitamin ) could augment the fertility of girls afflicted with ovulation Problems. One in 5 women suffer with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ( PCOS ) and can have a lesser chance of conception at a later age. Researchers at Yale school college of medication ( 2008 ) concluded ladies with ovulation problems or PCOS were much more sure to be low in vitamin D.

Try 1000iu D3 supplement

For him :

Your other half should be thinking along the same lines as you when it comes to living healthily. Sperm count and motility plays a very important part in the act of attempting to become pregnant. Why do all of the hard work when your better half plays an equal part in the act of conception? Recent figures ( from Norwich Union health-care in 2005 ) show that 2.5 million men suffer with barrenness in the United Kingdom. Male infertility may account for as much as a 3rd of Problems with conception so it is important that your man takes similar steps to you to keep himself and his sperm in tip top health.

Zinc

Zinc is obviously one of the most vital nutriments required for fertility, particularly for men. Studies show that a low zinc intake corresponds with a low sperm count and poor sperm motility.

Vitamin C

As an antioxidant, vitamin C is critical for good health. For men, this nutrient plays a specific role in enhancing fertility. Research has demonstrated that vitamin C may help to cut the clumping together of sperm and thus boosts sperm motility. In addition, vitamin C typically reinforces sperm quality and protects the DNA contained inside it from damage.

Visit www.solgar.co.uk for more information on vitamin & mineral supplements

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The first step in pregnancy is getting the right Prenatal Support. Go along to the Solgar site and find all the information you need. Keith Woolley is a Technical Director for Natural Food Stores in the UK