What do you think about Conception Vitamins?

[Pseudonym5]

I am going to throw everything I can think of at this ttc game next month, and am wondering about getting some conception vitamins for DH and I. I have been taking folic acid, and previously Pregnacare but I suspected it was messing with my cycles, and I have heard it can have negative effects on cycle lengths and ovulation. Just wondering what everyones opinion is on vitamins specifically for conception? Did they make a positive difference for you if you had been trying for a while, or did they mess around with your cycles?

I took pregnacare conception for 3 years without issue. All you really need is folic acid but as I tended to take a multivit anyway before ttc, it made sense to take Pregnacare so I got the multi vits without excessive vit A, plus the folic acid.

Not me, but 2 separate acquaintances used Pregnacare Conception, as far as they were concerned it did mess with their cycles and they ended up coming off of it before actually conceiving.

I think the key is folic acid, trying to stay healthy, and trying not to get too stressed! If it takes a long time (I think GPs say 2 years, but it depends on your circs and a friend had checks done after 1 year) then you can seek extra advice from your doctor.

Of course, there is lot of info on MN on what different people do (ovulation tests, limiting alcohol etc) if you haven't already checked it out

They won't get you pregnant quicker. They might help ensure that if you become pregnant, you're getting sufficient vitamins and minerals, if you weren't getting them from your food.

The vitamin industry is like any other industry - it mainly just wants you to hand over large quantities of cash.

The only 2 WTF cycles I've had in my life were when I was taking Pregnacare (a year apart). Probably total coincidence, but I avoid it now.

No vitamin will assist conception. Stick to folic acid and you'll be fine!

I've only ever had bleeding mid-cycle once and that was when I'd been taking Pregnacare Conception. I changed to the regular Pregnacare and didn't have any problems with that.

I have always taken multivitamins (I'm vegetarian); I switched to a pregnancy version as the levels of some vitamins in my usual ones are harmful during pregnancy.

I'm bf and still taking the original Pregnacare; the original version used to be 'for pregnancy and breastfeeding' but now they call the identical version 'for pregnancy' and have brought out a mega expensive version for breastfeeding instead ).

I'm taking boots own brand conception vitamins and have been for a couple of months. No side effects and its half the price of the Vitabiotics. Also making sure DH has at least 2 portions of fish a week (things that swim help mens little swimmers!). Remember lots of veg, no processed foods. Fingers crossed we all get there soon!

I think you would do fine with just folic acid and eating lots of fruit and veg to be honest. It's a natural approach (apart from the FA), and you know women have been conceiving that way since the beginning for time. If you feel TTC vitamins are messing with your cycles then I would just cut them back if I were you. If you have any serious fertility problems then your doctor will advise you further after you've been going a year, and I'm not sure how much vitamins would help in that case anyway.

Invest the time you would have spent going to the shop to buy them in having more sex.. Good luck!