Vitamin A while ttc ?

[Moonie84]

I'm just wondering if anyone has had advice regarding vitamin a. I know I'm to avoid vitamin a if I become pregnant.
I find it confusing , is it safe to take up until ovulation? Or is it to be avoided completely?
I usually take a superfood gummie but it contains vitamin a. I'm also trying to lose weight while trying to get pregnant. I was advised to lose 1 stone so I'm a healthy bmi again..I've got 10 more pounds to go. I've been supplementing with slimfast about 3 to 4 times a week, only having 1 shake to replace lunch but it contains A .
I can't find any advice if its safe to take this vitamin up until ovulation or even during my period stage of cycle.
I'm also confused why if nhs say avoid fish oil why you can get pregnancy oil which says its fish oil and its needed for baby brain development..this is awfully confusing . Some pregnancy tablets also have fish oil

The NHS says "if you're pregnant or thinking about it..." which implies don't take excessive amounts of vitamin A if TTC: www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-a/

I'm ttc and stopped taking my main multivitamin. I just take omega 3 and folic acid now. How did you het on with the slim fast shakes? I found them vile and they made my teeth hurt they tasted so sweet. I have about a stone to lose too. Slimming world has really helped me.

@blebbleb I actually don't mind the taste of slimfast as I do love milkshakes. I've only been doing it for 2 weeks, swaping my lunch for a shake just a few days a week and it's definitely made a difference. I lost 3 lbs which I'm incredibly happy with since I've been stuck for the past year not shifting anything no matter how much ive been exercising or cutting out buns and other treats. I have pcos which is making it difficult to lose the weight but I'm finding replacing it with a liquid meal as opposed to solid seems to he helping. It's probably more to do with the liquid meal than the actual slimfast.
I've still be having a satisfying breakfast of oats , chopped nuts, seeds and yogurt , then I have my shake at lunch and when I get home ill cook a dinner and if I'm hungry I'll snack on some veg like kale chips. I haven't found myself hungry at all. I think lunch was adding too many calories to my diet maybe, considering I'm sat in a chair most of the day until I get home so I wasnt burning it off.

I had a recent pregnancy loss in November after just 3 weeks ( second loss in past 3 years) so they advised me to try and lose a stone so I'm within a healthy weight. We've struggled for so 7 years to actually get pregnant and we also have been pursuing fertility treatment due to my pcos and his sperm test, were were advised to have icsi and clinic said I need to get under bmi 30 aswell before we can get on the list so I'm desperately trying to get the 10lbs off before out next review appointment. Having the shake seem to be the only thing working for me but now I'm just really concerned about the vitamin a in it

@Moonie84 sorry for your loss. I had a miscarriage in December also. Perhaps you could ask a doctor about it? I'm also on a mission to lose weight for a healthy baby. Bmi down from 30 to 27. You can do it!

@Moonie84 it's not specifically about avoiding vitamin A entirely as such since your body actually requires more vitamin A during pregnancy. I think like 20- 30 %
However it's about being aware how much your taking since excessive consumption is liked to birth defects. A is actually present in many foods like milk, eggs and vegetables among many. Its stored in the body for a while in the liver for later use therfore they advise against taking extra vitamin A through supplements while pregnant since your already getting vitamin A from your diet . A through food is perfectly safe. You can eat as many vegetables as you like and it's highly recommended during pregnancy to eat a healthy diet.
I personally do not avoid vitamin a supplements entirely but I only take them during my period as I take a full multivitamin during my period. After that I switch to my pre natal vitamin. You might notice ( some pre pregnancy supplements actually have vitamin A in the form of beta carotene .Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body on an as required basis which reduces the risk of vitamin A toxicity, which makes it safe during pregnancy when high levels of A itself should be avoided.
There have been several studies regarding Vitamin a and fertility its actually required for oocyte quality . ( I and suffered a loss at the start of the month which was devastating really since we've been trying to start a family for 17 years ) I want to ensure I'm doing the most for my quality since I'm 37 and also have pcos too. Sorry if this offends anyone but studies on rats have shown rats deficient in A has problems with ovulation. Again something with is affected by pcos.
I would check with a health care provider ,be it a gp or whatever if you need advice. My personal opinion is that I don't think 3 shakes a week is excessively overdoing vitamin A. Lots of women take shakes and full multivitamins and conceive unintentionally. I know many that have taken supplements up until finding out they were pregnant. Once pregnant or if you think you might have conceived this month I would be very cautious perhaps stop with the shakes then as its really important don't take A once your pregnant. I would personally stop them after ovulation and focus on a more nutritious lunch. I know it's convenient scooping the powder and off you go but what about making your own smoothie shake? There's lots of recipes out there. Just pack them into a blender and store in the fridge overnight ready to take with you the next morning. It wouldnt contain all the added bulking ingredients and filling junk and additives in slimfast. I've managed to lose a stone so far . I know how difficult it is to lose weight with pcos

By the way, I mentioned to my consultant on my first appointment what all supplements I was taking and I told her about taking a full multivitamin during my period and then switching on a pre natal after it and she never said it was a problem