By Two Mums and a Baby
Let’s talk about prenatal vitamins – specifically, what we used and why they were such an important part of our Reciprocal IVF journey. Choosing the best prenatal vitamins can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re staring at endless options online or in stores. But trust us, finding the right ones can make all the difference.
Whether you’re in the trying to conceive (TTC) phase or already taking prenatal vitamins during pregnancy, we’re here to share what worked for us, why we picked them, and a few tips to make taking them as easy as possible.
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Why Are Prenatal Vitamins So Important?
Pregnancy, especially in the early stages, requires specific nutrients that aren’t always easy to get from food alone. That’s where prenatal vitamins for pregnancy come in. They’re like a nutritional safety net, ensuring both you and your baby get everything you need.
For us, they were vital for:
• Egg health: Supporting quality eggs during Reciprocal IVF.
• Fetal development: Vitamins like folic acid and DHA are crucial for preventing neural tube defects and supporting brain growth.
• Boosting energy: Pregnancy takes a lot out of you, so vitamins help keep you going.
What We Used: Our Prenatal Vitamins Journey
We used different vitamins for the TTC phase and pregnancy because your needs change. Here’s a breakdown of what we used, including some of the best prenatal vitamins available in the UK:
TTC Phase: Prepping for Reciprocal IVF
These were perfect during IVF prep. Ovum is one of the prenatal vitamins recommended for improving egg health and contains:
• Folic acid: A higher dose to reduce the risk of neural tube defects.
• CoQ10: A superstar for egg quality and energy production.
• Zinc and selenium: Antioxidants to support fertility.
If you’re looking for prenatal vitamins with folate that are targeted for fertility, Ovum is worth checking out.
NAC is less common but came highly recommended for its ability to reduce inflammation and balance hormones. It’s a brilliant option alongside other prenatal vitamins during the TTC phase.
DHA is crucial for brain and eye development, even before pregnancy. We picked a mercury-free fish oil supplement to pair with our other vitamins.
4. Vitamin D
Living in Scotland means sunshine isn’t guaranteed, so a daily vitamin D supplement was non-negotiable. It’s included in many prenatal vitamins in the UK, but we preferred taking it separately during TTC.
5. Folic Acid
As we are plus size, we needed a higher dose. Something many women aren’t aware of! 5mg instead of the recommended 400mcg!!!
Pregnancy Phase: Supporting Baby and Bump
Once we got the exciting news (hello, positive test!), we switched to Pregnacare Max. It’s one of the most popular vitamins in pregnancy and includes:
• 400 mcg folic acid: Still essential in the early months. (WE also supplemented with extra due to being plus size!)
• DHA: For baby’s brain and eye development.
• Iron: To prevent anemia and keep energy levels up.
• Vitamin D and calcium: For strong bones – ours and baby’s!
We loved that Pregnacare Max was an all-in-one solution. If you’re looking for prenatal vitamins UK options, this is definitely worth considering.
How to Make Taking Prenatal Vitamins Easier
Taking prenatal vitamins during pregnancy is important, but let’s be honest – it can feel like a chore, especially if they make you feel queasy. Here’s what worked for us:
• Take them with food: This helps reduce nausea, especially with iron.
• Evening doses: Taking vitamins at night made it easier to avoid morning sickness.
• Set a routine: Leave them somewhere visible, like next to the kettle, to make it part of your daily habit.
• Gummies or liquids: If swallowing pills isn’t your thing, try alternatives – just check they’ve got all the essentials like folic acid and DHA.
Quick FAQs About Prenatal Vitamins
When should you start taking prenatal vitamins?
Ideally, start at least a month before trying to conceive. We began with Ovum and NAC to prepare for Reciprocal IVF.
What are the best prenatal vitamins?
It depends on your needs! For TTC, we loved Ovum and NAC. During pregnancy, Pregnacare Max has been fantastic.
Do you need prenatal vitamins if you eat healthy?
Yes! Nutrients like folic acid and DHA are hard to get in the right amounts from diet alone.
Are prenatal vitamins on Amazon reliable?
Yes, but make sure you’re buying from a trusted seller. We’ve linked the vitamins we used below.
What about after the baby arrives?
Keep taking vitamins if you’re breastfeeding to support recovery and milk production.
What We Learned About Prenatal Vitamins
For us, finding the right vitamins was a mix of research, advice, and trial and error. Ovum and NAC were lifesavers during IVF, while Pregnacare Max has been our go-to for pregnancy. Vitamins aren’t just about ticking a box – they’ve been a way to support our baby’s development and feel confident in our journey.
If you’re looking for the best prenatal vitamins to fit your needs, start by chatting with your doctor or midwife. We’ve also linked the vitamins we used so you can explore them!