How Pregnancy Tests Work

By using a sample of your urine or blood, pregnancy tests look for the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG. This hormone only develops in the body during pregnancy. The production of hCG doubles every three days and peaks at eight to 11 weeks.¹

When to Take a Pregnancy Test

Some pregnancy tests are more sensitive than others and can detect pregnancy as early as one day after you miss your period. Others can detect pregnancy within a week. There are two main types of pregnancy tests: urine tests and blood tests. Both detect the amount of hCG in the body.

At-Home Pregnancy Test

Urine tests are commonly used as at-home pregnancy tests. You can purchase these at most pharmacies, grocery stores, and other retail locations and use them in the privacy of your own home. Depending on the type of test you purchase, you could have a result within minutes.

Home pregnancy tests are very accurate – about 97% – when used correctly. Keep in mind that your body needs time to build up the hCG hormone, so if you take the test too early, it is possible to get a negative result when you might really be pregnant. Here are some tips for reducing the chances of a false-negative test:²

• Read the directions completely before taking the test.
• Follow every step exactly as written.
• Test using your first morning urine when hCG levels are most concentrated.
• Make sure your bladder is full for at least four hours if you have to test another time of day.
• Refrain from drinking excessive amounts of fluid before testing because it can dilute your hCG levels.

Medical Office Pregnancy Test

If you get a positive result from your home pregnancy test, the next step is to have your doctor confirm it with either another urine test or a blood test. A blood test is more sensitive than a urine test and can pick up hCG earlier in the pregnancy, about six to eight days after ovulation. Doctors use two types of blood tests: quantitative and qualitative hCG. The first measures the exact amount of hCG in your blood – even the tiniest amounts. The second is as accurate as a urine test and just checks to see if hCG is present.³

There is no shortage of decisions to be made when the pregnancy journey begins. For tips, guidance, and nutritional support, Prenate^® is here for you.

Prenate^® Vitamin Family
This post is brought to you by the Prenate^® Vitamin Family, a line of prescription prenatal supplements designed to enhance preconception, prenatal, and postpartum nutrition in women. Talk with your doctor about how taking a daily prescription prenatal or postnatal vitamin could help support a healthy pregnancy and postpartum wellness.

The post Pregnancy Testing: At-Home vs Professional appeared first on Prenate Vitamin Family.

What’s the Difference Between the Two?

An ovulation calculator estimates how likely you are to release an egg on a particular day in your menstrual cycle, while a fertility monitor lets you know the days that you are more likely to get pregnant during intercourse. Both can help you maximize your chances of getting pregnant.

Ovulation calculators work by taking the first day of your last period and the length of your menstrual cycle to give a range of days when you may release an egg.

Fertility monitors detect the surge in the luteinizing hormone (LH) that typically occurs 24 hours to 48 hours before ovulation. That surge of hormone triggers ovulation, which is the discharge of a mature egg from the ovary.

After an egg is released, it only survives for up to 24 hours if it’s not fertilized, so knowing when you ovulate allows you to try to time conception.

Effectiveness

When it comes to ovulation calculators, there is no accuracy guarantee since the methodology is based on averages and varying cycles. Fortunately, ovulation calculators don’t have to pinpoint an exact date, just a nice healthy range of possibly fertile days.

Fertility monitoring tests, when used correctly, can detect with 99% accuracy the LH surge that paves the way for ovulation. Keep in mind that just detecting the surge of LH doesn’t mean ovulation actually will happen over the next 48 hours.

Finding the Right Fertility Monitor & Ovulation Calculator

Calculating ovulation doesn’t have to be high-tech. The calendar method, or standard days method, is very popular. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health offers a simple-to-use online ovulation calendar that gives you a six-day fertility window as well as an estimation of your likely ovulation date. You can also try those available on the American Pregnancy Association or March of Dimes website.

Staying on top of your ovulation may sound a bit time consuming, but there are several devices and resources to help make tracking easy and maybe a little fun! From wearable trackers to smartphone apps, to strips, to a combined pregnancy test kit, there is a fertility monitor or tracking device to suit any soon-to-be mom’s need.

Keep in mind that fertility monitoring and ovulation calendars are more effective when you can check your chart and cycles every day. Enjoy the journey!

Prenate^® Vitamin Family
This post is brought to you by the Prenate^® Vitamin Family, a line of prescription prenatal supplements designed to enhance preconception, prenatal, and postpartum nutrition in women. Talk with your doctor about how taking a daily prescription prenatal or postnatal vitamin could help support a healthy pregnancy and postpartum wellness.

The post In the Market for Fertility Monitors and Ovulation Calculators? appeared first on Prenate Vitamin Family.

If you are trying to get pregnant, understanding how weight affects fertility may improve your chances of reaching your goal. Evaluating your overall health is a great place to start if you are planning for pregnancy. Talk with your doctor about your weight and any lifestyle changes you may need to make as you begin your pregnancy journey.

How being underweight may affect fertility

If you want to become pregnant and have a body mass index (BMI) of less than 18.5, you may encounter problems.¹ Low BMI is one cause of irregular periods, which can make it hard to determine when you will ovulate.¹ If you aren’t ovulating or not ovulating regularly, it may be much more difficult to become pregnant. If your low BMI is due to excessive exercise or inadequate nutrition, it’s important to be evaluated by a medical professional.

How being overweight may affect fertility

Being overweight can also affect your ability to become pregnant. As fat cells grow, they release estrogen. With too much estrogen in circulation, your body may stop ovulating.¹ An excessive amount of estrogen in the body also may prevent fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) from working properly.¹

Obesity isn’t a concern reserved for women, however. For men, being overweight or obese also can cause hormonal changes that reduce fertility.²

If you or your partner are overweight, discuss your options for losing weight with your doctor. A multitude of studies show a clear link between infertility and obesity in women.¹ Reaching a healthy weight could help regulate your menstrual cycle and increase your chances of becoming pregnant.1

Talk with your health care team during your pre-pregnancy consultation about how your weight may affect your ability to get pregnant. Your doctor may have suggestions about how to reach your weight goals safely while you try to become pregnant. Every couple’s health situation is different, so it’s important to discuss your personal situation and make a plan with help from your doctor.

Supporting your weight goals throughout pre-pregnancy and beyond

Getting to a healthy weight could also have a positive effect on your pregnancy and the health of your baby. Women who are pregnant and obese have a higher risk of delivering a baby with heart defects, type 2 diabetes and neural tube defects such as spina bifida.¹

Nutrition is an important part of overall health and well-being at every stage of your journey, from pre-pregnancy to breastfeeding. A daily prenatal vitamin can help you meet nutritional goals as you work toward reaching your ideal weight and throughout the time that you are trying to become pregnant.

Folic acid is especially important for women who are trying to become pregnant. Since neural tube development and closure is completed by 28 days (four weeks) after conception, it’s crucial for women who are trying to become pregnant to build reserves of this important vitamin.³

Each nutritional supplement from the Prenate^® Vitamin Family meets or exceeds the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations for folic acid4 in addition to providing marine-based DHA to support the overall health of both moms and babies. Talk with your doctor about whether a prescription prenatal vitamin from the Prenate^® Vitamin Family may be right for you.

The post How Weight May Affect Your Chances of Getting Pregnant appeared first on Prenate Vitamin Family.

Unfortunately, only one-third of women of childbearing age get the recommended 400 mcg of folic acid every day.¹ Pregnant women should get 600 mcg daily folate equivalent (DFE) per day.²

Here are some ideas for how to ensure your diet includes enough folate, which is the generic term for naturally occurring food folates, as well as folates in dietary supplements and fortified foods, including folic acid.²

Simple Spinach and Garlic

This dark green leafy vegetable is high in folate content, beat out only by beef liver. You’ll get 131 mcg of folic acid in one-half cup of cooked spinach and 58 mcg in one cup of raw spinach.² Whether you prefer to eat spinach raw or cooked, this important food helps contribute to a balanced diet.

Spinach, when cooked, reduces significantly in size. This means that you’ll get a lot of nutrients in just a few bites. This recipe should make about two servings of cooked spinach.

For a quick and easy version of cooked spinach with garlic, start by washing 1⁄2 pound of organic baby spinach leaves in cold water. Dry with a salad spinner to get as much water off the leaves as possible.

Heat 1⁄2 tablespoon each of olive oil and butter over medium heat in a sauté pan. Add one to three cloves of chopped garlic (depending on personal taste) to the olive oil and butter mixture. Sauté for less than one minute, just so the garlic has a chance to flavor the oil.

Add the spinach and turn gently with tongs so the butter and olive oil mix with the spinach as it wilts. Turn down the heat and continue to turn the spinach until the color deepens to a rich, dark green. This should just take two minutes. Remove from heat and season with salt, pepper and lemon juice to taste.

Sautéed Asparagus

Just four spears of asparagus contain 89 mcg of folate.² Asparagus, when fresh, is best prepared simply. Just heat a dry non-stick sauté pan over medium-high heat, snap off the woody ends of the asparagus, and toss the spears in the pan. Cook, turning frequently, for about four minutes, depending on the thickness of the spears.

Asparagus will turn a bright and lively shade of green when cooked. Remove from heat and drizzle with a good quality olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Avocado Toppers

A half-cup of raw avocado has 59 mcg of folate.² This is great news for people who eat avocado toast for breakfast every morning. However, not everyone is familiar or comfortable with handling avocados.

To separate the flesh from the peel, cut through the avocado to the pit twice so that you have four wedges. The outer dark green skin should pull off easily, leaving behind only the edible portion.

Dice or slice the avocado and use it to top pasta, as a spread on toast, or as an addition to any type of taco. Many people prefer to eat avocados with salt and a squeeze of lime juice.

Try it as a burger topper, diced in salsa, stirred into mac and cheese, on top of chili, blended into your smoothie, added to a salad or in a grilled cheese sandwich.

Turnip and Mustard Greens

A mixture of cooked greens can be a great addition to any traditional meal. Paired with heavy foods such as barbecue, cooked ham or steak, greens can help lighten a meal and serve as a hearty and balanced side dish.
Cooked turnip greens offer 32 mcg of folate in one-half cup.² Cooked mustard greens have 52 mcg of folate in one-half cup.² This type of food is also easy to prepare. You can buy 1-pound bags of mixed greens in the grocery store.

Even pre-washed and chopped greens may have some residual grit in them, so fill the kitchen sink half full of cold water and let them soak for 15 minutes. Swirl the greens around every few minutes so the grit falls to the bottom of the sink. Gently lift the greens out of the sink and let them rest on a clean kitchen towel on the counter top.

Heat 1 cup of low-sodium chicken broth and a tablespoon of olive oil or butter in a large non- stick sauté pan with a tight-fitting lid. When the mixture starts to boil, add the greens and turn the heat down to medium-low. Stir until the greens are coated and add 1 teaspoon each of salt and sugar. Stir to combine and cook with the lid on for 20 minutes.

Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or 1⁄4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (or more if you like spicier foods) and stir to combine. Add 1⁄2 cup of chicken broth and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes over low heat with the lid on. If your mixed greens contain collards, cook for up to one hour total. Adjust salt to taste before serving the greens.

If you don’t like greens, but enjoy salad, you’ll be glad to know that romaine lettuce has 64 mcg of folate in just one cup.² Of course, you should always carefully wash any fresh vegetables and fruits, including bagged salads and bagged greens.

Folic Acid & Pregnancy

For some women, certain foods are difficult to eat during pregnancy. If you struggle with a queasy stomach or morning sickness, remember that many everyday foods are fortified with folic acid. One serving of fortified breakfast cereal may contain up to 25% of the daily recommended amount of folic acid.² Fortified breakfast cereal and white medium cooked rice are good sources of folic acid.²

Meet Your Needs with Prenatal Vitamins with Folic Acid

Unfortunately, many women of childbearing age do not obtain enough folic acid from diet alone. Even when intake of folic acid from dietary supplements is included, 17 percent of women ages 19 to 30 do not meet average daily requirements.³

Some women who take folic acid have a genetic predisposition that makes their efforts futile. An enzyme called methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) helps make folic acid usable by the body. Women who have an MTHFR mutation have a highly reduced ability to convert folic acid to a usable form. It is estimated that 53 percent of women have this genetic mutation that does not allow them to properly process and absorb folic acid.^4,5

Incorporating a prenatal vitamin with an easily absorbed form of folic acid may help mothers ensure they are meeting their folic acid needs and supporting the growth and development of their babies. The prescription prenatal vitamins offered by the Prenate^® Vitamin Family contain a form of folic acid that is absorbable for women who have a genetic predisposition which impairs proper metabolism of folic acid. The Prenate^® Vitamin Family’s line of prenatal vitamins contains L-methylfolate, which is a form of folate that is bioavailable regardless of a woman’s MTHFR status.⁴ Every Prenate^® product meets or exceeds recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for daily consumption of folic acid.⁶ These products contain 1 mg folate as a blend of bioavailable L-methylfolate and traditional folic acid.

The guidance of a health care professional is critical to ensure that women have access to prescription prenatal vitamins that offer a form of folate that allows their bodies to absorb it. Prescription prenatal vitamins, such as the Prenate^® Vitamin Family, can help supply moms with a higher level of a usable form of folic acid. The folic acid in Prenate^® offers women the ability to receive the folic acid they need, even if they have the gene mutation that inhibits folic acid metabolism. Talk to your doctor to see if the Prenate^® Vitamin Family’s prenatal vitamins with folic acid are right for you.

The post Folate-Rich Recipes for the Novice Cook appeared first on Prenate Vitamin Family.

A new mom may find her first few visits to her doctor or health care provider to be exciting and overwhelming. There’s a lot of new information to process, and since face-to-face meetings are brief, it’s important to make a list of questions.¹

Remember, every pregnancy is different so whether this pregnancy is your first or not, there’s no such thing as an insignificant question.

Here are our suggestions for questions to ask your doctor during your early prenatal visits:¹

1. What screenings or tests should I expect during my next few appointments?
2. Do I have an increased risk of any specific conditions or complications?
3. Do the prescription medications I take increase the risk of any specific conditions or complications?
4. Are there any over-the-counter medications I should avoid?
5. Are there any foods or drinks I should avoid?
6. What are my options for prenatal vitamins?
7. What is a normal blood pressure range?
8. What’s a healthy weight range for my height and body type?
9. How much weight should I gain each trimester?
10. What physical symptoms are causes for concern?
11. How will I know if I should call you with a concern about a physical symptom I’m experiencing?
12. How can I reach you after hours?
13. What position is best for sleep?
14. What symptoms are normal, and how can I best manage them?
15. When you aren’t available to provide care, who will I see instead?
16. Are there any miscarriage precautions that apply to my situation I should know about?
17. At what interval will I see you throughout my pregnancy?
18. How much exercise should I try to get during my first trimester?
19. What recommendations do you have concerning dental care?
20. Do you recommend any travel limitations?

A new mom’s choice of a health care practitioner is crucial to her comfort level throughout pregnancy and beyond. One of the discussions a new mom typically has with her doctor is about how to best support her own nutritional needs and those of her baby.

During pregnancy, a new mom’s body requires higher levels of calcium, iron and folic acid.² Nutrients like DHA and vitamin D are recommended for baby’s development, as well.²

The Prenate^® Vitamin Family can help women fill nutritional gaps throughout every stage of pregnancy. Prenate Pixie^® is a small but mighty prescription vitamin specially designed as a dietary supplement for pregnant women. Talk with your doctor about whether a prescription vitamin may be right for you.

The post 20 Must-Ask Questions for Your Doctor About Early Pregnancy appeared first on Prenate Vitamin Family.

Trying to become pregnant can make women hypersensitive to physical changes in their bodies. The waiting period between conception and a positive pregnancy test can be emotionally draining and physically exhausting.

For many women, experiencing one or more physical changes can be an early indication that they’re expecting. According to a poll conducted by the American Pregnancy Association, the following are common signs of early pregnancy.¹

Missed Period

After a woman becomes pregnant, she should stop having periods. Some women experience spotting or bleeding during pregnancy. This requires a consultation with a doctor to rule out any problems.²

Twenty-nine percent of women polled by the American Pregnancy Association reported that their first pregnancy symptom was a missed period.1 Sometimes, a woman experiences spotting and cramping when the embryo implants to the uterus. This typically occurs between six and 12 days after conception. Only 3 percent of women polled said that implantation bleeding was their first sign of pregnancy.¹

Breast Changes

Swelling and tenderness in the breasts were reported by 17 percent of women polled.¹ These symptoms may start as early as one week after conception. Swollen and tender breasts are also a common symptom of PMS.

In pregnancy, breast discomfort is the result of rising progesterone levels. For many women, breast soreness decreases after the first few weeks of pregnancy as their bodies get used to first-trimester hormonal changes.²

Increased Urination

As a pregnant woman’s blood volume increases, her kidneys must process extra fluid. This can increase the need to urinate.² Urinary tract infections become more common for some women in early pregnancy. For this reason, it’s important for pregnant women to urinate as soon as possible when they feel an urge and to wear cotton underwear.⁴

Fatigue

High progesterone levels cause excessive tiredness for many women during their first trimester.⁵ It may be difficult for some women to get the extra sleep they need throughout their pregnancy. Relaxation techniques such as mindfulness, breathing exercises and gentle yoga before bed can help increase sleep quality.

Nausea

Although commonly referred to as morning sickness, pregnant women may experience queasiness at any time of the day or night. Twenty-five percent of women polled by the American Pregnancy Association reported that nausea was their first pregnancy symptom.¹

Nausea with or without vomiting typically appears between two and eight weeks after conception. For many women who experience morning sickness, nausea goes away after the first trimester.² Since proper hydration and nutrition are so important throughout pregnancy, women who experience morning sickness should discuss their symptoms with their doctor.

Proper nutrition is essential in the preconception phase, and the best way to meet the nutritional needs of mom an baby is with a balanced diet rich in the vitamins and minerals.

Prenate Mini^® and Prenate Pixie^® are small prenatal vitamins designed for preconception. These small but mighty prescription supplements are robust enough to carry mom through preconception and to support both mom and baby throughout pregnancy. Talk to your doctor to see if Prenate Mini^® and Prenate Pixie^® may be right for you in early pregnancy and beyond.

The post Top 5 Common Early Signs of Pregnancy appeared first on Prenate Vitamin Family.

Each month a woman’s body goes through a number of hormonal and physical changes.
If you’re a woman, learning to recognize changes in your body can alert you to the workings of your menstrual cycle and ovulation. Tracking changes to your body’s temperature can help you identify ovulation and time intercourse to improve your odds of becoming pregnant. By tracking your cycle, following a pregnancy-friendly lifestyle and obtaining optimal nutrient levels, you can support positive pregnancy outcomes.

Tracking Ovulation

If you are trying to become pregnant, it’s helpful to use a calendar to track the length of and changes during your cycle. Most women track the start and ending dates of their periods, the appearance and consistency of their cervical mucus, and their basal body temperature (BBT).

Your BBT is your body’s lowest temperature during rest. Most women find that their BBT is slightly lower right before ovulation and slightly higher during ovulation.1 By determining your window of ovulation, you can increase your success in becoming pregnant.

For best results, follow these best practices when taking your BBT:

• Consistency of Timing – Take your BBT at the same time every day using the same
  thermometer. You may want to purchase a special BBT thermometer for a more precise
  reading.
• Before You Get Out of Bed – It is best to track your BBT after you first wake up. For
  accurate readings, take your BBT every day and before you get out of bed or eat breakfast. Once you get out of bed, eat breakfast and start moving around, your body temperature naturally rises. So by taking your BBT first thing, you are getting your true “at rest” body temperature.
• After 3 Hours of Sleep – Take your BBT after you’ve gotten several hours of sleep to
  ensure your body has had time to enter rest mode.
• Consistency of Method – You can take your BBT either orally or vaginally. Both methods work. But it’s important to keep your method consistent.
• Keep BBT Thermometer By Your Bedside – Keep your thermometer in the same place, by your bedside. This will help ensure it’s where you need it, when you need it.
• Track It – Be sure to record your BBT throughout the month for several months. Seeing the trends over several months can provide a better picture of your ovulation cycle.

Keep in mind that several factors can influence your BBT. Those include: illness or fever, stress, alcohol, travel, medications, interrupted sleep or oversleeping.¹ Also, some women ovulate without a clear rise in BBT.¹

In addition to tracking your BBT, pay attention to other physical signs, such as your cervical mucus, that can provide clues to transitions in your monthly cycle. Look for your cervical mucus to become clear and stretchy, similar to the consistency of egg whites, as you approach ovulation.²

Prenatal Vitamins for Conceiving

If you are trying to conceive, following a pregnancy-friendly lifestyle and practicing good nutrition is critical. Managing stress, getting proper sleep, staying physically active and eliminating toxins from cigarettes and alcohol will aid in preparing your body for carrying a baby. Staying on track with a healthy diet and recommended nutritional guidelines will ensure that you give your baby the best possible start in life.

The Prenate^® Vitamin Family offers two prenatal vitamins that may support conception and help fill nutritional gaps that aren’t met by diet alone. Prenate Mini^® and Prenate Pixie^® are small prenatal vitamins suitable for preconception but robust enough to carry you through pregnancy. Talk to your doctor to see if Prenate Mini^® or Prenate Pixie^® is right for you.

The post Tips for Tracking Basal Body Temperature appeared first on Prenate Vitamin Family.

January is National Thyroid Awareness month, and many women do not realize that pregnancy has a profound impact on the thyroid gland. If you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, it is important to understand the function of the thyroid, thyroid-related conditions and nutrition that supports a healthy thyroid. Similarly, all pregnant women should be verbally screened at their initial prenatal visit for any history of thyroid dysfunction.

Understanding the Thyroid Gland During Pregnancy

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland that is about two inches long and located in the front of the throat. It uses the iodine in the foods we eat to make two primary hormones: triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These hormones regulate the body’s metabolic rate, heart and digestive functions, muscle control, brain development and bone maintenance.

During a normal pregnancy, the presence of hCG and an increase in estrogen can cause fluctuations of some thyroid hormones during the first trimester.¹ Similarly, the thyroid may increase in size by 10 to 15 percent.¹

During the first trimester, a developing baby is dependent on the mother for production of thyroid hormones.¹ In the second trimester of its mother’s pregnancy, the baby’s thyroid begins to produce thyroid hormones on its own.¹ However, the baby is still dependent on the iodine from foods that mom consumes, as it’s essential to proper thyroid function.

Prenatal Vitamins That Support Thyroid Function

Our bodies do not make iodine naturally. Because normal thyroid function is dependent on iodine, it is important that our diets or supplements include this critical micronutrient. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that pregnant or lactating women consume 1 mg of iodine every day. Similarly, the American Thyroid Association recommends that women begin thyroid supplementation at least three months prior to pregnancy.²

In recognizing the importance of iodine in prenatal vitamins, the Prenate^® Vitamin Family includes this mineral in a number of our vitamins, such as:

• Prenate Pixie^®
• Prenate Mini^®
• Prenate^® Enhance
• Prenate Elite^®
• Prenate Essential^®

Thyroid Screening During Pregnancy

In addition to discussing prenatal nutrition with your health care provider, it’s recommended that every pregnant woman have a verbal screening at her initial prenatal visit for any history of thyroid disfunction.² If any of the following risk factors are present, additional screening or blood tests may be necessary to evaluate thyroid hormone levels and function.

These risk factors include:

1. A history of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism or current symptoms or signs of thyroid dysfunction2
2. Known thyroid antibody positivity or presence of a goiter²
3. History of head or neck radiation or prior thyroid surgery²
4. Being 30 years old or older²
5. Type 1 diabetes or other autoimmune disorders²
6. History of pregnancy loss, preterm delivery or infertility²
7. Multiple prior pregnancies²
8. Family history of autoimmune thyroid disease or thyroid dysfunction²
9. Morbid obesity²
10. Use of amiodarone or lithium, or recent administration of iodinated radiologic contrast²
11. Residing in an area of known moderate to severe iodine insufficiency²

Hormone therapy may be recommended for women who discover their thyroid levels are elevated or low. Pregnancy is possible for women with thyroid imbalances. If you are recently pregnant or think you may be at risk for thyroid dysfunction, talk to your doctor about the best course of action for your body and situation.

The post Assessing Your Thyroid Function During Pregnancy appeared first on Prenate Vitamin Family.

Congratulations on your decision to have a baby! You may be thinking about pregnancy for the first time or expanding your existing family. No matter your circumstances, there are a few things that all women should do when trying to conceive.

Three months before conception is an ideal time to start focusing on exercise, diet and nutrition. If you don’t already exercise regularly, start incorporating 30 to 45 minutes of cardio each day, three to four days a week. Talk to your health care provider about the frequency and intensity of exercise that is right for you. Exercise is important because a healthy body weight pre-pregnancy can improve positive pregnancy outcomes for both moms and babies.

The three months before conception is also the time to cut back on and eventually eliminate alcohol and tobacco use. Eating a well-balanced diet with plenty of whole grains, veggies, fruit and lean protein also can also help prepare your body for pregnancy. During preconception, focus on obtaining essential nutrients that will be critical for successful pregnancy outcomes and support your baby’s development.

Key Nutrients During Preconception:

• Folic Acid – Folic acid plays a critical role very early in pregnancy. The development and closure of a baby’s neural tube (which eventually becomes the spine) occurs between day 14 and day 28 of pregnancy. Folic acid levels affect neural tube closure. Because this development occurs so early in pregnancy, a mom-to-be needs to make sure she is consuming an adequate amount of folic acid before conception.
• Iron – During pregnancy, a woman’s blood volume increases 50 percent and her need for hemoglobin also grows. Hemoglobin is a protein that carries oxygen through the blood, and iron plays a critical role in its manufacture. Iron also helps us maintain healthy immune systems and prevents anemia. Having ample reserve will help when your body and baby need greater amounts of iron.
• Vitamin C – In addition to acting as an antioxidant to protect and repair cells from damage, vitamin C can help your body absorb the iron it needs to prepare for pregnancy.
• Calcium – It’s important to start building calcium reserves before becoming pregnant, as it takes longer to build up levels of this mineral in the body. If you become pregnant, your baby will draw calcium from your bones if your diet does not include enough of this nutrient to meet your baby’s needs.

Prenatal Vitamins for Preconception

While a balanced diet is a preferred way of meeting nutritional needs, some women may have trouble achieving their daily recommended intakes for certain vitamins and minerals from diet alone. The Prenate^® Vitamin Family offers a line of prenatal vitamins that are designed to carry moms and babies through preconception to pregnancy and into the weeks and months after delivery. These vitamins are specifically formulated to fit the needs of preconception:

• Prenate Pixie^® is our smallest softgel prenatal vitamin. It can be taken before conception and is mighty enough to support moms and babies through pregnancy.
• Prenate Mini^® is a small but robust softgel prenatal supplement with 14 nutrient forms.

Talking to your Health Care Provider About Prenatal Vitamins

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the National Institutes of Health both recommend that women of child-bearing age take a daily vitamin that contains folic acid. This essential nutrient and others should be included in the diets of all women who are planning for pregnancy. The Prenate^® Vitamin Family helps support expecting moms with robust doses of key nutrients. Talk to your doctor to see if a Prenate^® prenatal vitamin may be right for you to help fill nutritional gaps.

The post Prenatal Vitamins for Each Stage of Pregnancy: Preconception – 3 Months Prior to Conception appeared first on Prenate Vitamin Family.

These same hormones also play a role in pregnancy. There is a very complex relationship between the reproductive and endocrine systems. Imbalances in these systems can lead to issues with fertility and conception.

Hypothyroidism

Low levels of certain hormones that are produced by the thyroid can interfere with ovulation. Women who have an under-active thyroid, a condition also known as hypothyroidism, may not release an egg during their monthly cycles.¹ They also may experience irregular mensural cycles and have difficulty conceiving. Some women with hypothyroidism also report dry skin, forgetfulness, depression and constipation.2

Hyperthyroidism

An overactive thyroid can result in a condition known as hyperthyroidism. This is where the thyroid releases high levels of thyroid hormones, which can cause the body’s metabolism to speed up. Women who are experiencing hyperthyroidism may lose weight despite their healthy appetites. Their menstrual cycles may lighten or occur less often.³ Often they have trouble timing ovulation because their monthly cycles are out of sync or irregular. Other symptoms of hyperthyroidism include nervousness, irritability, difficulty sleeping, fine or brittle hair, and muscle weakness.³

Iodine & The Thyroid

Normal thyroid function is dependent on iodine. Our bodies do not make iodine, so it is
important that our diets or supplements contain this critical micronutrient. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommend that pregnant or lactating women consume 150 mcg of iodine each day.⁴ In recognizing the importance of iodine in prenatal vitamins, the Prenate^® Vitamin Family includes this mineral in a number of our vitamins, such as:

• Prenate Pixie^®
• Prenate Mini^®
• Prenate^® Enhance
• Prenate Elite^®
• Prenate Essential^®

Managing Thyroid Function

Infertility is often caused by multiple factors, but women who are struggling to conceive may want to have their thyroid function checked by a doctor. Simple blood tests to evaluate thyroid function are commonly used when diagnosing infertility. Levels of T3, T4 and TSH can be measured with minimally invasive blood tests.
Hormone therapy may be recommended for women who discover their thyroid levels are elevated or low. Pregnancy is possible for women with thyroid imbalances. If you are struggling with conception, talk to your doctor about the best course of action for your body and situation.

The post The Role of Your Thyroid in Fertility & Conception appeared first on Prenate Vitamin Family.