Supplements- Months Before TTC

[jsophia922]

I'm new & lurking, but I have a question. H and I are going to start TTC next year (May/June at the earliest, but probably more likely around September/October). We are planning to sway for a boy. I was a child development major and have been on folic acid since I learned about it that first semester.

My question is, in addition to folic acid, what supplements can I start taking now to increase my fertility and prepare me for TTC a boy? I want to be prepared as possible- I'm a distance runner and have already been adjusting my running schedule next year to allow for a bit of a "break" (not as many races, shorter distances... no way I can give it up entirely as it's my passion & stress relief).

My midwife (I have my annuals at a birth center instead of an OB because I value the personal attention, so I already have a midwife haha) told me to start taking DHA as well. I've seen a lot of people recommend fish oil. I have the DHA but haven't started it yet. If I start the DHA, do I have to take the fish oil, too?

Anyway. Sorry this turned into a novel. Any help would be appreciated! I do plan on buying a plan after all the family birthdays holidays when money isn't as tight.

[manny]

Hi, pregnacare vitabiotics has good no. of vitamins in it and is widely available. Good luck

[atomic sagebrush]

Oh I'm so sorry, somehow this one sneaked past me. Never be shy about bumping a post, sometimes I miss things.

I recommend Women's One a Day because it's cheap and widely available with a good level of nutrients. I do have people take fish oil, but then switch to DHA at BFP - but if you prefer DHA then it does the same stuff, but is generally in a lower dose than fish oil. Totally your call to make on that - you can take the DHA at a (slightly) higher dose, eat more fats like coconut oil, butter, and olive oil to make up any difference, or just take the DHA at the advised dose and stick with that (I got a boy taking DHA at the advised dose)

How much folic???

[jsophia922]

Thank you both for your replies!

I take the VitaFusion Prenatal gummies right now. I'm anemic, but every time I take a multi with iron in it I get really nauseous. These vitamins have no iron, and I just take a slow release iron supplement. Would that be okay, or should I check out the One A Day?

The multi's also already have DHA added to them. Would it hurt to keep taking them and add a fish oil supplement as well? Or just increase my intake of DHA?

I currently take 1200 mcg of folic acid daily as we aren't trying yet, but I'd happily up that dosage if that would help my chances down the road.

[atomic sagebrush]

yes those are fine!! I also find I tolerate the slow release irons better than the iron they add to multi's.

As long as you don't exceed 1000 total it's fine to add a bit of fish oil or take additional DHA.

We have most blue swayers take 2000 mcg folic, because some of the traditional boy diet stuff (super high sodium) and green tea can make you have a harder time using folic acid. If you aren't doing the super high sodium and green tea, you can stick with 1200 but it doesn't hurt anythign to increase it.