Pregnancy/Conception Vitamin minefield

[MadCatLady27]

We are hoping to start trying for a baby in the not too distant future and from reading up on sites, it's recommended to start folic acid a bit before however there's also so many options for pre pregnancy vitamins, does anyone have any recommendations?

They all generally contain folic acid but then you get various other vitamins etc in them, it's a minefield to which one is best. I knew about the pregnacare wellwoman range, as I picked some up for someone who was pregnant once but the range seems to have multiplied

It concerns me some are horse sized as I'm not brilliant at taking tablets, I gag on the plastic coated paracetamol

Also, should H be taking anything? The pregnacare ones do a "his and hers" range, is this just marketing

Any other general things/advice for what we should be doing in the lead up to trying?

I never got on with the mixed pre conception tablets at all. I too can't swallow tablet's well and they stunk too 😂

I take folic acid, Vit D and Vit B6. They're all tiny so works well for me. Currently 4+6 weeks after a miscarriage in may x

I take Pregnacare vitabiotics and 75mg aspirin every day. My DH is on Wellman vitabiotics. We've had 3 early losses including 1 via IVF. It's not going to hurt to do the best for your body even if you're not trying to conceive.

@Kellyaust they all smell awful don't they!! 😅

@MadCatLady27 I'm taking Pregnaplan which is apparently one you can take the whole way through pregnancy too, so it seemed easy!

I took pregnacare, I also did ivf. Was told to do the preconception one and then move onto the one for pregnancy one once I got pregnant.

This bit might be helpful for Sarah
I had my protocol adjusted multiple times to achieve a successful pregnancy and child. I was given blood thinner injections and steroids for implantation(not available on NHS) along with oestrogen tablets and progesterone pesseries and I privately paid for a multiple miscarriage/lack of implantation blood test. I referred myself for that one. The test came bk fine but it meant that if I had an issue they could defrost and check for genetically abnormal embryos.

@moosey89 honestly used to make me gip 😂😂

Interesting seeing everyone's comments, @Kellyaust fingers crossed everything goes smoothly for a safe arrival

Not good they stink 😂 although I sometimes take Kalms which aren't what I'd call pleasant smelling (especially if one goes down the wrong way which they tend to), the night Kalms absolutely REEK

I've currently got the seven seas "trying for a baby" ones even though we aren't quite yet as they have the folic acid, they're great about the same size as the pill but I'm wondering if they are lacking any of the essential vitamins

It is advisable to start taking folic acid a few months before TTC. Note that if you are overweight/obese, they usually prescribe 5mg instead of the OTT dose which is only 400mcg. In the winter, I also take Vit D.

I'm always skeptical about multivitamins, pregnacare etc etc. They certainly have a place if your diet is lacking, but the vast majority of the supplement (Vit C for example) you are just weeing away.

I ended up with multiple MC's and rounds of IVF (not due to vitamin deficiencies though). I asked the consultant about what supportive vitamins we should be taking (other than Folic acid and Vit D). She advised to only to buy ones that we could afford. There are some on the market- more so after MC's, which can very pricey!

I also put DH on lycopene supplements. Its naturally occurring in red/orange coloured fruit/veg anyways, but 'some' studies have shown it can improve sperm motility. DH was on the lower side of normal, and I figured it wouldn't hurt to see if it helps.

You can buy folic acid and some multi vitamins in both chewy and liquid form, which might be easier to take than tablets.