Any woman of child-bearing age who is trying to conceive or not using birth control should take a prenatal vitamin
Taking a prenatal vitamin with folic acid is backed with the strongest evidence for a healthy pregnancy. The most crucial time for folic acid is during the first few weeks of pregnancy, before many women even know they’re pregnant. This vitamin is responsible for helping form the neural tube, which prevents spina bifida, a birth defect where the spinal cord is outside the spinal column. Taking folic acid has also been associated with greater fertility in general.
In pregnancy, the fetus is taking all the nutrients that it needs from you. A prenatal vitamin helps replenish the vitamins that you need for yourself. Many women also take prenatal vitamins through their reproductive years as a good source of iron, or for strengthening hair and nails.
The right prenatal vitamin has folic acid and iron
Prenatal vitamins are specifically regulated and should contain at least 400 micrograms of folic acid and 27 milligrams of iron. You can find good quality prenatal vitamins at the drugstore because of this regulation, but make sure to check the label for folic acid and iron – gummies, for example, cannot contain enough iron to meet pregnancy or lactation needs.
In assisted reproduction, there is some research around improving outcomes with supplements. If you are undergoing fertility treatments such as IVF or IUI, check with your doctor about recommendations for certain nutrients and vitamins.
After a miscarriage, rest and recovery is most important
About one in four pregnancies end in a loss in the first 13 weeks due to chromosomal abnormalities, which may simply be a matter of chance. After a loss, it’s important to rest and recover. Don’t jump back into a heavy exercise routine or a new training program. In pregnancy, it’s recommended to maintain the level of activity that you had before, but you may not feel well enough during the recovery phase after a miscarriage.
Fortifying your diet with iron can help you recover from blood loss
After a miscarriage, taking a multivitamin with iron and eating iron-rich foods will help replenish iron stores due to blood loss.
Meat, eggs, and seafood are the foods highest in iron. Vegetarian options include beans, greens, and grains. You can also find good iron-fortified foods such as dairy products and cereals. Cooking meals and sauces in a cast-iron pan can also add another milligram or two of iron into your meal.
Before jumping back into another pregnancy, make sure you’re also replenished emotionally and spiritually
Recovering physically from blood loss after a miscarriage will be important for creating a lining for a new embryo. Getting good nutrition in addition to proper rest will help top up all of your stores. Wait until you are emotionally and spiritually ready to try again.
