Women’s Fertility: Supplements that increase the chance of meeting your little miracle!

A quick Google search suggests many prospective mothers have the same question: do fertility supplements actually increase my chances of conception?  A body of scientific research suggests that they do, as fertility supplements provide you with necessary nutrients that your body may be lacking – particulaly in today's culture of processed and fast foods.

So, what supplements should you take?

Folate

It’s common for women to take folic acid (the synthetic form of folate) during pregnancy to reduce the risk of neural tube defects for the baby. But it’s actually been shown to increase fertility rates as well, so for many reasons it’s a good idea to start supplementing with folic acid when you are trying to conceive. We use MTH folate in our Mommy Blend, the most bioavailable form that can be most easily and effectively utilised by the body. We use this as up to one-third of people are thought to carry gene variants that make it difficult to efficiently utilise folic acid.

Vitamin E

You may recognise vitamin E from skincare products that promise to reduce wrinkles. That’s because it works to repair cells, which is also what makes it so effective as a fertility vitamin. Vitamin E is an essential nutrient for ovaries and also acts as an anti-aging antioxidant. For women who are trying to conceive later in life, they may benefit from supplementing with vitamin E so that they can support egg quality, which is core to being able to conceive and carry to term.

Vitamin D

Though the best way to get vitamin D is with healthy exposure to sunlight, these days it’s common to be deficient, which is bad news for those trying to get pregnant. Vitamin D is essential for the development of healthy hormones – required for balance during pregnancy.

Omega-3

Fish oil is often added to prenatal vitamins because of its positive impact on a baby’s brain development. However, Omega-3 fatty acids (usually taken in the form of fish oil supplements) have also been shown to improve female fertility. It can increase egg quality, which is important for conception.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

Coq10, a naturally occurring compound, has been shown to increase fertility, particularly for women over 40, and as such has become a popular fertility vitamin. One study  showed that taking Coq10 in conjunction with Clomid improved fertility rates for women with polycystic ovarian disorder.

Selenium

Selenium is a powerful antioxidant that aids fertility and pregnancy. The micronutrient can help promote healthy uterine follicles, which is where the eggs are developed and released. Selenium deficiencies may lead to gestational complications, miscarriages and may damage the nervous system of the developing fetus.

Struggling with infertility?

Check out our Mommy Blend, Vitamin D and Omega-3 supplements – happy baby making!