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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What vitamins should I take when trying to conceive?

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    Trying To Conceive Women's Health
    I am currently on a multi vitamin however am wondering if i should be taking any other supplements as i am trying to fall pregnant?
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  • Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority

    VARTA is a statutory authority based in Melbourne, Australia, providing independent, accurate information about fertility, infertility and assisted reproductive treatment (ART). View Profile

    Women (and men) who are trying to conceive should maintain a healthy diet and women should take a supplement of folic acid, to prevent tubal birth defects such as spina bifida. Too much Vitamin A can harm babies, so if you’re taking a multivitamin, choose one which is specifically for pre-conception or pregnancy-safe.

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  • Maria Nguyen

    HealthShare Member

    Make sure to take folic acid since it is very important for healthy development of your child. Folic acid also reduces the risk of having birth defects. Also, buy any prenatal vitamins. Prenatal vitamins are sepcifically designed for pregnant women or women trying to conceive. When I was pregnant I was taking One a Day vitamins. They worked well for me.

    "Help your loved ones
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    Thanks

    Joanna Baker

    Nutritionist, Registered Nurse

    Everyday Nutrition founder Joanna Baker has been working in healthcare for 2o years. As an Accredited Practicing Dietitian and a Registered Nurse, she has seen … View Profile

    Hi

    Congratulations on deciding to take this exciting step! As mentioned above a healthy diet is great for both men and woman and even more important to set your body up well for an impending pregnancy. Research has shown that your nutritional status at the time of conception can have a greater influence on the outcome of a pregnancy than what you eat durying pregnancy (Thats not to say as soon as you get pregnant it doesn't matter though).


    Recommendations for vitmanins before pregnancy include:

    • Folic Acid 600 mcg, which has been proven beyond doubt to reduce the risks of birth defects such as spina bifida.
    • Iodine is low in the soil here in australia and new zealand and subsequently our food doesn't have much in it either. Iodine is linked to brain functioning and it is recommended that all women who are pregnant or planning pregnancy to take a supplement of about 150 mcg.
    • Iron needs also increase durying pregnancy from 18mg to 27 mg to support the growth and development of the baby.
    • Vitamin A can have detrimental effects and should be avoided.

    These vitamins and minerals are included in good pre conception and pregnancy/breastfeeding multi vitamins (Elevit and Blackmores make good ones). This conbined with a healthy diet of “whole” unprocessed foods are the best and the safest way to ensure you are getting the right nutrition to support a developing baby.

    Joanna Baker
    BHSc RN div I Grad Cert Human Nutr.

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  • Melissa Adamski

    Dietitian, Nutritionist

    I am an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) and Accredited Nutritionist (AN) with a passion for food and good nutrition. I also have my own private … View Profile

    Optimal Vitamin D levels are also important in conception, fertility and pregnancy.  There is a lot of research being conducted into the benefits of optimal vitamin D levels (and what optimal vitamin D levels actually are) and so it is important to be recieving enought vitamin D each day (a combination of foods, sunshine and supplements are important).

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  • Women's Health Queensland Wide

    Women's Health Queensland Wide provides free health information for Queensland women. View Profile

    Since you are trying to get pregnant and wanting to maximize your chances and also to be as healthy as possible I suggest you read our preconception fact sheet. It contains lots of helpful information. it's great the you are being so proactive. Good Luck
    Just click on the link
    http://www.womhealth.org.au/pregnancy-and-parenting/208-preconception-and-pregnancy-health
    Brenda
    Women’s Health Educator
    Health Information Line, Women’s Health Queensland Wide

    Women living in Queensland can also call our Health Information Line - a free information and referral service for Queensland women - on 3839 9988 or 1800 017 676 (toll free outside Brisbane).

    Please note that all health information provided by Women’s Health Queensland Wide is subject to this disclaimer

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