Written by Jamie Thompson. Reviewed by Sarah Mitchell. Jamie is a women’s health writer with over a decade of experience.
While we all know that a nutritious diet is essential during pregnancy, the prep work for good health before conception often gets overlooked. Preconception planning is all about taking care of yourself to ready your body for pregnancy. This helps boost your chances of a successful pregnancy, minimizes complications in future pregnancies, supports breastfeeding goals, and creates a healthy nutritional environment critical for brain and organ development in those early weeks. Plus, studies show that how you prepare can even influence your child’s health as they grow.
One major component of preconception planning is focusing on your diet. Eating a variety of foods is key to getting the nutrients your body needs before and during pregnancy. If you’re trying to conceive, now’s the ideal time to make sure you’re in tip-top shape for a future pregnancy. This quick guide will help anyone with a menstrual cycle understand when to start taking fertility supplements to enhance their chances of conception.
How Long Does the Body Need?
Proper nutrition and supplementation before pregnancy are crucial for various reasons, but the most important one is that improving egg quality doesn’t happen overnight. Research shows that it takes about 3 to 6 months for an egg to fully mature. Let’s break down how egg development and the menstrual cycle work together to support reproduction.
The Interplay Between Egg Development and the Menstrual Cycle
Those assigned female at birth are born with a set number of follicles that contain the reproductive cells, or oocytes. These oocytes stay dormant until puberty, at which point the primordial follicles start to mature with each menstrual cycle, primarily driven by FSH. Each follicle can take up to 9 months to become a secondary follicle, with typically one follicle becoming dominant and fully maturing each cycle. The final pre-ovulatory phase, where the dominant follicle is prepared, takes about two months.
During ovulation, which occurs midway through the menstrual cycle, increased levels of luteinizing hormone prompt the dominant follicle to release a mature egg into the fallopian tube, ready for fertilization. After ovulation, the ruptured follicle transforms into the corpus luteum, producing progesterone to prepare the uterine lining for a potential fertilized egg.
Nutrition for Optimal Egg Health
Several factors impact the health of eggs throughout their development. Eggs can be vulnerable to oxidative stress, which may damage DNA and lower fertility. Proper DNA synthesis and repair are vital for egg development, and effective hormone regulation is necessary for ovulation and implantation. Additionally, since developing eggs require significant energy, adequate metabolism is essential for maintaining egg quality. That’s why specific nutrients play a crucial role well before conception.
Key Nutrients and Timing
It’s widely recognized that a balanced diet is vital for health. However, some nutrients are especially important for fertility. At OVUM, we take a research-driven approach to create supplements loaded with fertility-enhancing nutrients that support reproductive health. Here are some key nutrients to consider when trying to conceive, along with the best times to start taking fertility supplements.
Folic Acid
The UK’s Eatwell Guide provides guidelines for maintaining a balanced diet. To meet these recommendations, most experts advise taking a daily multivitamin. Moreover, women of reproductive age are encouraged to include folic acid supplements in their routine. This is crucial for supporting a healthy pregnancy.
If you’re interested in learning more about the journey of parenthood, check out this blog post that addresses common concerns like sleep separation anxiety in toddlers.
As you embark on this path, consider resources like Cleveland Clinic’s podcast for valuable insights, and visit Make a Mom for expert advice on fertility.
In summary, supplement timing is vital for optimizing your health before conception. Proper nutrition, especially the right nutrients like folic acid, can significantly enhance your chances of successful fertility. Starting supplements early can be a game changer for your journey into motherhood.