"When I see a patient who wants to get pregnant, the first thing I do is give her a prenatal vitamin and tell her to eat a healthy diet," says Mark Perloe, fertility specialist, MD, of Georgia Reproductive Specialists in Atlanta. A healthy diet rich in antioxidants has a positive effect on the health of sperm and oocytes. Let's see how to help our body search for a baby.
In this article
- Supplements: folic acid
- Folic acid before and during pregnancy
- Vitamin B6 is folate
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin C:
- Soccer
- What are supplements for?
Read also: Foolproof ways to get pregnant told by mothers
Supplements: folic acid
The Mediterranean diet is ideal for those looking for a baby as it is rich in antioxidant substances which, by reducing free radicals, preserve the health of the ovaries and the functioning of the oocytes and protect the cell membranes of the sperm.
The first vitamin that a doctor prescribes for women who are looking for a baby is folic acid: 400 micrograms of folic acid every day, from before pregnancy until the 12th week of pregnancy.
This is to reduce the risk of problems developing the baby in the first few weeks of pregnancy.
Folic acid before and during pregnancy
It is important to take one 400 microgram folic acid tablet every day before you are pregnant and up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. Folic acid can help prevent birth defects known as neural tube defects, including spina bifida.
If you didn't take folic acid before conception, you should start as soon as you find out you are pregnant.
Try eating green leafy vegetables that contain folate (the natural form of folic acid) and breakfast cereals. It is difficult to get the recommended amount of folate for a healthy pregnancy from food alone, which is why it is important to take a folic acid supplement.
Folic acid in higher doses
If you are more likely to have neural tube defects in your pregnancy, you will be advised to take a higher dose of folic acid (5 milligrams). You will be advised to take it every day until the 12th week of pregnancy.
You may have a better chance if:
- you or the biological father of the child have a neural tube defect
- you or the biological father of the child have a family history of neural tube defects
- you had a previous pregnancy with a neural tube defect
- Do you have diabetes
- you are taking antiepileptic medicines
- take antiretroviral drugs for HIV
Vitamin B6 is folate
A shortage of Vitamin B6 it could affect the implantation of the egg and the development of the placenta. THE folate (vitamin B6) reduce the risk of certain congenital malformations of the fetus such as spina bifida and appear to increase the chance of getting pregnant. They are also important for man, for one effective spermatogenesis.
Foods with vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is found in particular in some foods of animal origin:
- eggs,
- milk,
- cheeses,
- chicken and turkey meat,
- liver, brewer's yeast,
- Whole grains,
- Wheat germ oil,
- spinach, lentils.
Foods rich in folate
Instead, they are rich in folate:
- leafy vegetables,
- artichokes,
- asparagus,
- broccoli,
- cabbage and cauliflower,
- legumes,
- Whole grains,
- some fruits such as oranges, avocados, kiwis and strawberries,
- seafood.
Vitamin D
According to NHS guidelines, you need 10 micrograms of vitamin D every day, and you should consider taking a supplement containing this amount between September and March.
Vitamin D regulates the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, which are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. Our body produces vitamin D when our skin is exposed to summer sunlight (from late March / early April to late September).
It is not known exactly how long it takes in the sun to produce enough vitamin D to meet the body's needs, but if you are in the sun, be careful to cover or protect your skin with sunscreen before you start blushing or burning.
Vitamin D is also found in some foods, including:
- oily fish (such as salmon, mackerel, herring, and sardines)
- eggs
- Red meat
Vitamin D is added to some breakfast cereals, spreads, and non-dairy milk alternatives. Quantities added to these products may vary and may only be small.
Since vitamin D is only found in a small number of foods, whether naturally or added, it is difficult to get enough from foods alone.
Vitamin C:
Vitamin C protects cells and helps keep them healthy.
It is found in a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, and a balanced diet can provide all the vitamin C you need.
Good sources include:
- oranges and orange juice
- red and green peppers
- strawberries
- blackcurrant
- broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- potatoes
Soccer
Calcium is vital for the formation of your baby's bones and teeth.
Sources of calcium include:
- milk, cheese and yogurt
- leafy greens, such as rocket, watercress, or kale
- tofu
- soy drinks with added calcium
- bread and all foods based on fortified flour
- fish whose bones you eat, such as sardines and sardines
What are supplements for?
- supplements for female fertility they contain active and natural substances that are useful to get pregnant and can improve fertility. Always seek medical advice before starting administration.
The most important substances contained for this purpose are:
- B vitamins (in particular vitamins B1, B2, B12) are especially useful in times of stress, which represents a risk factor for fertility because it can cause ovulation dysfunctions and menstrual cycle abnormalities
- Magnesium, an important mineral in metabolic processes and its deficiency is associated with fertility problems or episodes of spontaneous abortion
- Vitamin E which promotes ovulation
- Evening primrose oil which helps to regulate ovulation and the menstrual cycle, as well as improve the quality of cervical mucus
- Vitamin C: with antioxidant properties
- Vitamin B7 (or Inositol) which improves ovarian function
Article Sources: NHS "Vitamins, Supplements and Nutrition in Pregnancy", Webmd.com "Supplement May Help Women Get Pregnant", The Secret of Fertility (Sperling & Kupfer, 2022), published by Stefania Piloni
