Vitamins and supplements - TTC - what are we taking?

[artylady14]

I'm going to start TTC this cycle after a three month break. I had a very early miscarriage at the beginning of March and now ready to start again. I have been taking Agnus Castus (Holland and Barrett's) 2 tablets twice a day up to ovulation (I have long cycles) and Tesco's Evening Primrose/Starflower Oil Combo (up to ovulation) as well as my Pregnacare conception tablet. The ST/EP combo says women can take throughout their cycle. Has anyone done this? Also can I take Agnus Castus throughout my cycle. It doesn't seem to have had an effect in shortening my cycles the few months I have taken it. I have had a period every 28 days for two months after the miscarriage but then back to normal now this cycle where I just ovulated after 29 days!

I am having my first fertility acupuncture session (of seven) today too. Wish me luck!

Sorry to hear about the mc, arty. I read conflicting things about agnus castus, and decided not to take it p.o. in the end. Good luck, hope it all goes well x

Ah sorry to hear about your mc arty. I am currently ttc #2 and taking seven seas vitamin b complex either frolic acid and holland and barrats royal jelly. I took the same for three months prior to ttc #1 and got pregnant first cycle. This time it's taking a little longer...

Sorry to hear about your MC.

I'm only taking Boots own brand preconception vitamins..it's the his and her type ones. Only on cycle #1 so can't give you any feedback on them! X

Just realise I put frolic acid not folic acid in my first post. A Freudiant slip if there ever was one!

Haha..I thought it was intentional guineapig!

Thank you all for your replies and good to hear what worked for you guineapig1. I don't know what to do about the agnus castus but I am 38 with longer cycles and trying to sort my cycles out :(

Hi arty-sorry to hear about your mc. I too had an early mc end of feb and beginning of march. I am a late ovulator with long cycles. Here is my two pence worth:

1. The Agnus Castus from holland and Barrett isn't effective at all as it is too low a dose (even two tablets worth) as it is not just considered a supplement anymore, so they aren't allowed to sell it in a higher dose. Also, it is always advised to stop taking at once you have ovulated. Agnus Castus is powerful stuff and many ladies on here have reported that it has stopped them ovulating/extended their cycles, so please see a qualified natural herbalist first.
2. I started taking pregnacare conception vits and they really messed with my cycle-extended them by 43 days once. The doses are so high that taking them daily over a long period of time, can be dangerous. I am now taking just Folic acid and for the first time since early mc, have ovulated (confirmed by charting and even 1 day earlier than always) and don't have the extreme symptoms I got with pregnacare that would get my hopes up.

I know that we feel we have to take everything that might help us conceive, especially after a mc, where we want to fix what went wrong, so we read everything on the internet (I've been there) but sometimes it can do more harm than good. Our bodies are designed to do everything right and sometimes, overloading on lots of different supplements, including evening primrose oil and starflower oil, can mess with our hormones negatively.

As I said earlier in my post, do see someone who is a professional, who might be able to help you safely. However, I've learnt to leave well alone.

Hi sorry to hear about your MC,
this is our first month of ttc, I am currently taking Pregnacare conception, only started to take it so i don't have any feedback on it, Good luck everyone

Zita west his n hers. Been trying since December, have stupid long cycles (37-44 days) so my £16.99 bottle won't even last one cycle!! Man my body is shit.

Canned the caffeine completely and limiting wine to af up to just before o. Given my follicular phase is 22 days I'm not denying myself the odd glass of pint noir.

Folic acid (prevent spina bifida), vitamin D (for if I get pregnant, babies steal vitamin D from mum which is bad for your bones if you don't have enough), zinc (heard it increases fertility in men and women) and B6 (for if I get pregnant - heard it can lessen morning sickness and I have a vomit phobia).

Thank you all for your messages. I have stopped taking the agnus castus as I didnt see it making any difference. I have heard this about Pregnacare conception and dont know what to think - even my GP recommended it. Do you think changing to another brand might help (like Boots own-brand)? Or maybe I should follow Ihatewaiting and only take certain supplements? After two months of 28 day period cycles after my m/c/in March I am back to a 6 week(ish) cycle and ovulated after a month. I have, however, had two fertility acupuncture sessions so far to work on reducing my cycle.

The seven seas trying for a baby vitamins contain folic acid, b vits and zinc, 28 tabs in a pack and currently on offer for 3 packs for a tenner in asda, they seem to contain basically the same stuff as the pregnacare ones but significantly cheaper

I have stopped taking the Pregnacare conception tablets, i had noticed that i had been feeling sick and bad headaches, at first i thought it was signs i was pregnant but did a test yesterday and i am not, waiting on AF tomorrow, but i think that the symptoms was from the pills, i'm putting it down to me eating foods that contain Iron and then the added iron that was in the pill, i am still hoping its some miracle that its down to being pregnant, but i will see, i will be taking Folic Acid and make sure i am eating healthy and balance meals