7 Supplements You Should be Taking if You're Trying to Get Pregnant

While I’m a huge proponent of a healthy lifestyle and diet, I also recognize the reality that most women, when trying to get pregnant, can benefit from some additional supplement support. Especially when conceiving is proving difficult, adding certain vitamins and minerals can absolutely improve fertility and reproductive health.

While of course each woman has an individual constitution, for which there might be more specific herbal formulas and supplement recommendations, these are the Top 7 dietary supplements that are recommended for every woman who wants to get pregnant.

1. Prenatal: A prenatal supplement is essential, as it provides your body with most of the vitamins and minerals that would be important for your baby’s development when you do conceive. It also can contribute to your own overall and follicular health and provide you with the vitamins and minerals that are often found to be deficient in women struggling with infertility, such as Vitamin D. Make sure to get one that has the more usable forms of essential vitamins, such as Folate instead of folic acid, and Adenosylcobalamin and Methylcobalamin as opposed to Cyanocbalamin.  My rec:  Basic Prenatal VegCaps by Thorne.
2. Vitamin C, 1000 mg per day : Research shows that Vitamin C plays an important role in the regulation of the menstrual cycle and ovarian function. It is necessary for timely and effective ovulation, as well as follicular health and integrity. It has been shown to increase progesterone levels, which is essential for women with low luteal phase temperatures. It has also been proven effective in treatment of endometriosis and uterine fibroids. My rec:  Ester C Complex by Douglas Laboratories.
3. Vitamin E, 600 iu daily. Without Vitamin E, the body cannot reproduce. An essential antioxidant, Vitamin E is essential for cellular health, including the cells of the reproductive organs, eggs and sperm. Vitamin E is necessary for repairing cells from oxidative damage, as well as the toxicity that often contribute to infertility. It has been shown to thicken the uterine lining, as well as support glucose and metabolic action in women with PCOS and diabetes. It has been proven effective in reduction of both PMS symptoms as well as fibrocystic breasts. My rec:  Natural Vitamin E Complex by Douglas Laboratories.
4. Vitamin D3, 5000 iu daily. Adequate Vitamin D is so important for fertility, and new studies continue to show the many different ways that Vitamin D impacts reproductive health. In fact, low Vitamin D has been linked to low AMH test results (potentially false low AMH readings ). Vitamin D is not technically a vitamin. It’s a fat soluble, pro-hormone. It’s necessary for hormone production (and therefore fertility), cell growth, immune health, healthy bones, mood and much more. Studies show that low vitamin D levels are correlated with uterine fibroid development. Be sure to use Vitamin D3, not D2.  My rec: Vitamin D3, 5000 by Pure Encapsulations.
5. L-Arginine, 2000 mg daily.  L-Arginine is an amino acid that can be obtained through dietary sources such as nuts, eggs, lentils and kidney beans. It supports adequate blood flow to the uterus which can increase the fertility of cervical mucus and help to create a better environment for implantation of the fertilized egg. It also improves circulation to the ovaries, which can improve follicular development and health. L-Arginine also increases Nitric Oxide levels, reducing inflammation, which can prevent and reduce fibroids, endometriosis and PCOS. (Do not take if you have herpes as it can trigger an flare-up). My rec: L-Arginine 1000 by Protocol for Life Balance
6. Ubiquinol, 100-300 mg daily. Ubiquinol is the most biologically-active form of coenzyme Q10. This powerful antioxidant been shown through several studies to improve both egg and sperm health, while playing a key role in protecting DNA at a cellular level. It is present in the membrane of almost every cell in the body and is required for mitochondrial ATP synthesis, which is responsible for creating cellular energy. Its antioxidant properties helps to repair cellular damage, thereby improving embryo quality. As it reduces oxidative stress, it can improve reproductive health, supporting fertility in women with endometriosis, unexplained infertility, PCOS, POF, menstrual cycle irregularities, preterm labor, recurrent miscarriage, poor egg health, high FSH and low AMH. My rec: Ubiquinol QH Softgels by Pure Encapsulations.
7. Complete Probiotic: A healthy microbiome, or intestinal microflora, is essential for overall health, absorption of nutrients from food and can support reproductive health. Low gut flora contributes to inflammatory disease and can contribute to imbalances related to inflammation, including endometriosis, PCOS, uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and autoimmune related infertility issues. Inadequate levels of gut flora also contribute to the most common female vaginal problem: yeast infection. If you have a history of antibiotic use, or are prescribed antibiotics in your fertility treatment, it is essential to incorporate probiotics into your diet or supplement plant to begin to repair your microbiome. My rec: Ther-Biotic Women’s Formula by Klaire Labs.

Adding the above supplements to your daily routine can significantly improve your reproductive health and support your fertility. With this link, you’ll receive 15% off everything you purchase from my partner site, https://wellevate.me/wisdomofthewomb.

For a personalized supplement and herbal formula plan, complete my online Virtual Herbalist Assessment at https://www.wisdomofothewombonline.com