Trying to conceive? You’ll want to make sure you’re getting enough of certain vitamins. B Vitamins are important in your fertility (and pregnancy) journey! And if there’s one B Vitamin you need to know about by name, you need to know about Folate. It’s arguably one of the most important nutrients for women of fertile age, and it’s one of the main reasons prenatal vitamins are recommended by doctors.
Keep reading to discover the potential benefits of B Vitamins and Folate.
B Vitamins and TTC
So, just how impactful are B Vitamins?
B vitamins are important for overall health and well-being. B vitamins such as B-9 (folic acid) play an important role during pregnancy. Here’s why B vitamins are important for your overall health.
B vitamins help with red blood cell formation, cell metabolism, energy production along with a myriad of other vital functions. * According to Dr. Stephanie Liu, Vitamin B12 in specific lays an important role in our body’s ability to make red blood cells. Additionally, B9, more commonly known as folate, is crucial for early fetal development, particularly the development of the spinal cord and brain. It is recommended to take folate before getting pregnant. *
Folate for TTC and Pregnancy
“Folate is a B vitamin that is particularly important during pregnancy. Before we get to why taking MTHFR pregnancy supplements is so essential, let’s answer your most burning, frequently asked question: is folate the same as folic acid?
Folate vs. Folic acid
Folate and folic acid are not equals. Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate. Folate—particularly methyltetrahydrofolate (MTHF) which we use in our prenatals and Fertility Support for Her—is the most natural, bioavailable form of folate. We have a gene, MTHFR, that helps our body process folate and folic acid. People can have a mutation in their MTHFR gene which results in a reduced ability of the body to convert folic acid into a usable form.
Why Is Folate Important When Trying to Conceive?
A baby’s neural tube develops within the first month of pregnancy, which often means that folate will be working its magic sometimes before you even know you’re pregnant. In fact, the CDC recommends that every woman of reproductive age take a prenatal supplement with folate for this reason. “Most sources recommend that all women of childbearing age should be taking a folic acid supplement or at least 3 months prior to trying to conceive. The recommended dose of folic acid is 0.4mg daily,” says Dr. Stephanie Liu. Folate is a B Vitamin (B9), and its water soluble, which means we release any excess in our urine. Folate is not stored easily in the body and needs to be constantly replenished, so you want to make sure it’s in your body before conception in an ideal world.
Why Is Folate So Important in Pregnancy?
Why is folate important during pregnancy? It is critical for early fetal development, particularly to support the development of the baby’s brain and spine. Because it can be tricky to get enough folate from the modern diet, a supplement is your best bet. Also, some pregnant women require higher levels of folate than do non-pregnant women. “There are some people such as those with diabetes, a family history of neural tube defects, and women on anti-seizure medications who may require higher doses of folic acid at least 2 months prior to conceiving and during the first trimester,” says Dr. Stephanie Liu.*
Where to Get Your B Vitamin and Folate Fix
When looking for women’s fertility vitamins, you’ll want to take both Fertility Support for Her (which has B12 and folate, along with fertility-boosting nutrient myo-inositol) and our Prenatal Vitamin (which has B2, B6, Folate, and B12). Taking a prenatal along with Fertility Support for Her will not only help you get the B complex during pregnancy and TTC, but also iron, DHA, and Vitamin D.*
We also recommend that your partner take Fertility Support for Him, which has B12 along with fertility-boosting nutrients. We talk a lot about female fertility, but men also experience infertility.*
You can cover all your bases with our Dual Fertility Bundle, now available in a subscription for 10% off + free shipping every 3 weeks. We love having the option to set our orders on autopilot, so we never run out or skip a day!
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
