The preconception period (which is three to six months before you get pregnant) can have a major impact on your fertility and reduce problems during your pregnancy journey.
Once you visit your doctor for a preconception consult, where they’ll provide you with advice on pregnancy planning, they might recommend a prenatal supplement. But how do you know which one is best for you? We delve into finding a prenatal supplement that meets your needs.
Know what vitamins you need more of
If you’re planning to conceive, it’s recommended that all pregnant women in Australia take the following supplements 1:
- Folic acid, which can reduce your baby’s risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida
- Iodine, which is needed for brain and nervous system development
- Calcium and vitamin D, which can help your baby develop healthy bones
- Iron, which helps form red blood cells
It can be a lot to remember to take a supplement for each type of vitamin, which is where a prenatal supplement like Natalis comes in.
Natalis Pregnancy Vitamins and Minerals come in a convenient one-a-day tablet, with 19 important nutrients, including folic acid, iodine and iron.
Make sure you and your partner are in tip-top shape
While taking a prenatal vitamin can help you get the essential vitamins you need, it’s also important to live a healthy lifestyle and see where you can make changes.
Taking care of your preconception health, whether you’re a man or a woman, can increase your chances of falling pregnant and having a healthy baby.
Studies have shown that poor health around the time you get pregnant can impact your labour and your birth as well as your baby’s growth in both your womb and after they are born 2.
Some preconception tips for women include 2:
- Quit smoking, as there is no safe limit for smoking and you should quit at least three months before you start trying for a baby
- Live a healthy lifestyle by eating a nutritious diet and exercising regularly as being overweight can make it harder to conceive
- Stop drinking alcohol, as there’s no safe level of alcohol during pregnancy
For men, it’s also just as important, as about half of infertility issues arise from men.
Some preconception health tips for men include 3:
- Make sure you have healthy sperm by keeping your testicles cool as heat affects your testicles ability to produce sperm
- Keep your alcohol intake within safe limits, as heavy drinking affects the quality of your sperm
- Speak to your doctor about any medicines you take, as some medicines can lower your fertility or sexual function
Take some time to enjoy the journey
After you and your partner have made some lifestyle changes, introduced a prenatal vitamin and started living healthier, it’s important to take the time to enjoy the journey of trying to conceive.
It can be a rollercoaster of emotions, so communicating effectively with your partner about how you’re feeling, journaling and managing your stress levels can help you feel a lot better.
This is a sponsored article in partnership with Natalis. You can find more Natalis products here.
WARNINGS
Always read the label and follow the directions for use.
References
1Pregnancy, Birth & Baby, Vitamins and Supplement during pregnancy, accessed 18 July 2024
2Pregnancy, Birth & Baby, Preconception health for women, accessed 18 July 2024
3Pregnancy, Birth & Baby, Preconception health for men, accessed 18 July 2024