My husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for more then 6 months now. I know that it takes time and all that. But I was wondering if there were some safe supplements that I could be taking to increase my fertility. I already take a daily vitamin and iron supplement as well. Thanks!

Many women are advised to take prenatal vitamins months before getting pregnant. Or taking just folic acid alone before becoming pregnant. Anything extra on top of the prenatals or folic acid is not a good idea.

I do not think any vitamins actually increase your chanches but being on the folic acid, most prenatals have folic acid already in them. With this whenever you do become pregnant you will be given your baby a head start, and a good one at that.

Good luck.

Joe

I've heard about different teas you can drink, but I don't know how effective any of that stuff works. I think that just relaxing and not worrying about getting pregnant is the best thing you can do. My husband and I have been trying for about 6 months, also. We got pregnant last month, but miscarried at 4 weeks. It was very much like a period (only a lot of cramps, bright red blood, and clots), and was completely normal. As much as it was horrible, I know that it happened for a reason. And now I know that I can get pregnant. I am currently taking a prenatal vitamin and cranberry pills. It's good you are taking a daily vitamin, just make sure it has at least 300mcg of folic acid. I feel that prenatals are best even if you aren't yet pregnant. I wish you the best of luck in getting pregnant. Hopefully this will be our month!

I really don't think that there are any supplements out there that really work for increasing your fertility, except for things like fertility drugs.the only things I would suggest are the things that have been suggested. Taking prenatals are the best, becaues they have all the vitamins that you will need once you do get preggy(including folic acid). However, if you don't want to take those, then just take folic acid. (I took folic acid for 8 months before getting preggy, and then prenatals for the remaining 4 months after that before I finally got preggy.)Your doctor can give you suggestions on how much to take and so forth if you are worried about taking too many vitamins. They can also tell you about these supplements you have questions about. I don't think they could do any harm but I also think they are more to just take your money, then to help you get pregnant. You still have another 6 months before it is suggested to talk to a doctor about fertility problems. It takes most healthy couples At least one year to get preggy on their own. Good luck and best wishes..

It's actually 800mcg of folic acid a day that is required for neural defects.

Catherinendaniel, it all depends on the doctor and pharmacist. They are never in agreement of the same amount.

In prenatals there is 1 mg of folic acid. Many doctors recomment women take up to 4. Anybody with epilepsy or diabetes between 6 and 8 mg.

My wife was on 5 mg folic acid plus the prenatel, because of the epilepsy.

Joe

Well, my Doctor and my pharmacy both told me 800mcg... I am on prescription prenatal vitamins, because my doctor told me they were the best (better than the ones I was on - Blackmores -gold) we pay $60 a packet, but I don't think you can compromise your little ones health...

But obviously, as you say, there would be exceptions with people with epilepsy and other illnesses etc.

Lets clear this up Catherine

100 micrograms = 1 milligram

So

800 micrograms, which you were told to take would equal the 8 milligrams Joe is talking about.

They are one in the same with a different name.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jesushelper76

In prenatals there is 1 mg of folic acid. Many doctors recomment women take up to 4. Anybody with epilepsy or diabetes between 6 and 8 mg.

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Lol.. I realize that 100mcg is 1mg.. my doctor refers to it as mcg's, therefore I have been!

And Joe was saying most doctors recommend women take UP to 4mg and women I suppose who are high risk 6 to 8mg. In Australia the standard recommended by practitioners is at least 800mcg or 8mg (as you guys like to refer to it) for a normal healthy woman. I am anything but high risk; I have no illnesses and am at a prime reproductive age.

When my doctor compared over the counter pre-natal vitamins and the readily available pre-natal there was quite a difference in everything. There was 500mcg in the regular pre natal and 800mcg in the prescription brand. Even the iron - 9mg in regular and 60mg in the prescription brand.

LOL, Sorry Catherine, I did not realize you understood the difference. Sheesh, it took me a while to get to understand it. My bad. LOL

Folic acid is used to prevent neural tube defects such as Spina Bifida for one, as I am sure you already know. Women of childbearing years should take a supplement containing folic acid on a daily basis, or eat foods high in folate. Just understand that each doctor, each country, etc has their own standards. Here in the US, women of childbearing years shoud consume a minimum 400mgs = 4mgs of folic acid daily through fortified foods and/or supplements.

So, in looking through all my books, and I would post more, but it would be rather lengthy, everyone is right on the money. We are all right.

Sources of natural folate in micrograms/cup are

Cooked Black eyed peas, lentils 358
Cooked black, navy, or pinto beans; chickpeas 255-295
Okra (cooked from frozen) 269
Asparagus (cooked from frozen) 243
Spinach (cooked from frozen) 205
Orange Juice (prepared from concentrate) 109
Broccoli (cooked from frozen) 104
Peas (cooked from frozen) 94
3 ounces of braised liver 280