Infertility

Prenatal Vitamins and Supplements

Hello Ladies,  
I am a few months out from starting my first IVF cycle. My DH and I just had our initial consult last month and so far everything looks good.  He told us we can start Aug or Sept but we decided to wait due to the fact of wanting our eggs to be the best quality ever. 
 
So for the next few months I want to start my Prenatal Vitamins and Supplements. I have PCOS as well so I have already changed my eating habits. 

I want to know recommendations for prenatals and supplements such as melatonin, CoQ10 and myo-inositol. I love gummies but if I have to take the tablets I would. Any suggestion or recommendation would be appreciated. 
Me:28 DH:33
01/10/12 : First ectopic pregnancy  :'(
Dx:PCOS
2012-2015: TTC #2 (2 rounds of clomid + metformin)
04/13/15: Second ectopic pregnancy  :'(
02/29/16: Third ectopic pregnancy  :'(
Tubal Infertility
Married: 2/11/17  <3
7/21/17 : Consult with RE  :#
10/12/17 : Second consult with a different RE
1st IVF Cycle scheduled for Feb 2018
02/13/18 : ER
(22 follies,16m Eggs, 11 fert, 5 blasts)
02/18/18 : ET 
- 2 beautiful blast 3AA,2AA (highest quality)
02/27/18 : First Beta - 193!!!
03/01/18 : Second Beta - 546


Re: Prenatal Vitamins and Supplements

  • @mrsa2017 I highly recommend Rebecca Fett's It Starts with the Egg for an overview of the research of a number of supplements. There's good info in there for PCOS specifically.

    My RE recommends a prenatal with folate instead of folic acid, but otherwise says any reputable prenatal brand is fine. He also recommends CoQ10 and vitamin C supplements (unless you eat citrus fruits daily). I know that he's skeptical of the melatonin but other doctors seem to encourage it. Note that melatonin can mess with ovulation so it may mess with your cycle (this is why my RE recommends against it).

    Also, make sure your husband is in on this too! He should also take a multivitamin (I give my husband my same prenatal) and CoQ10. Other supplements for sperm quality include vitamins C, E, and zinc. 

    I'm really interested to hear what others are doing. We are planning for IVF in late September so I'm also focused on healthy habits in advance of egg retrieval.


  • @adirat thank you for responding. I read that book from start to finish and highlighted all the important parts lol. 

    I want to be sure that I'm taking the right vitamins and supplements but also I wanted to know if the chewables would be as good as the tablets? 

    Wow,  I didn't know that about the melatonin,  I will have to ask my RE about that. This is the first time I heard about a man taking prenatals and it actually makes sense. Most of the nutrients in the prenatals are in multivitamins and it would be good to know that my husband is getting the same amount as me.  Thanks for that suggestion. 

      My RE just mentioned getting some probiotics and I'm researching exactly what that's for. 
    Me:28 DH:33
    01/10/12 : First ectopic pregnancy  :'(
    Dx:PCOS
    2012-2015: TTC #2 (2 rounds of clomid + metformin)
    04/13/15: Second ectopic pregnancy  :'(
    02/29/16: Third ectopic pregnancy  :'(
    Tubal Infertility
    Married: 2/11/17  <3
    7/21/17 : Consult with RE  :#
    10/12/17 : Second consult with a different RE
    1st IVF Cycle scheduled for Feb 2018
    02/13/18 : ER
    (22 follies,16m Eggs, 11 fert, 5 blasts)
    02/18/18 : ET 
    - 2 beautiful blast 3AA,2AA (highest quality)
    02/27/18 : First Beta - 193!!!
    03/01/18 : Second Beta - 546


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  • @mrsa2017 my RE said that the gummies are as good as the tablets. I prefer the gummies too. My hubby took fertilaide as a supplement for this swimmers. It worked really well. I don't take any other supplements other than prenatal so I'm not sure about the others. 
    TTC 4 years. 7 failed IUI's with either Clomid, Femara and/or Trigger Shots. Started IVF journey in February 2017. Polyps removed in May. 1st IVF Transfer September 26th. BFP. Expected due date 6/14/18. Baby boy born 5/25/18 at 6 lb 9 oz. My bundle of joy. 
  • @mrsa2017 I am sure the chewy/gummy prenatals are just fine! Honestly whatever it takes to get you to take them consistently is a win. It's more important that you take them than that they come in a specific form. 

    Giving my husband a prenatal is purely for ease -- then I don't have to buy two types of vitamins, I just give him the same thing I'm taking at the same time. (He won't take vitamins at all unless we're both taking them at the same time lol)

    Probiotics help with your gut bacteria. My doctor has recommended them in the past when I'm taking antibiotics (since the antibiotics can also kill your healthy bacteria). I am not taking a probiotic right now, but maybe we should be -- I'll have to research that! Thanks for the suggestion.


  • mrsa2017 said:
    I want to be sure that I'm taking the right vitamins and supplements but also I wanted to know if the chewables would be as good as the tablets? 
    Chewables are fine, especially if you are more likely to take them regularly.
    I take "Smarty Pants" prenatals because they have methylfolate instead of folic acid, no artificial coloring or flavoring and naturally sweetened. Plus they have fish oil for DHA! I love them!

    Additionally, after reading "it starts with the egg" and consulting my doctor, I take CoQ10 ubiquinol (600mg daily), Vitamin C, D, E, DHEA (50-75mg daily) and Iron. 

    DH takes a mens supplement called Coast, which has Coq10 and some other antioxidants.  

    Me 34 DH 36 Married since July 2010 
    MFI (High DNA Fragmentation) & Mild endometriosis
    TTC #1 since June 2015 
    Aug 2016 - May 2017  6 IUI's with letrozole - BFN
    April 2017 - laparoscopy to remove mild endo
    June 2017 - Mini IVF letrozole 12.5mg, Gonal-F 75IU - Cancelled early ovulation, no eggs retrieved. 
    Aug/Sept 2017 - Mini IVF letrozole 12.5mg, Gonal-F 75IU, cetrotide - 13 eggs retrieved, 11 mature
    5 eggs ICSI'd 6 eggs frozen - 1 day 5 blast transfered, 2 expanded blast frozen - BFP!
    May 2018 - Baby girl born - Our Joy

    TTC #2 since July 2019
    July 2019 - FET - BFN
    Jan 2020 - FET - canceled due to family health issues
    Mar 2020 - FET - low beta - chemical pregnancy
    July 2020 - ICSI'd remaining 6 eggs - 3 fertilized - 2 survived to early blast stage, transfered both - Chemical Pregnancy


  • I was also told the gummies are fine for prenatals. It doesn't matter what form you are taking them in.  Just make sure you see how many you need to take in one day. I've taken some where you need to take 2-3 daily to get the right amount of vitamins. I take Nature Made prenatals. The pill is giant but goes down easily and never made me feel nauseous. I've had that problem with vitamins in the past. 
  • J1006 said:
    I was also told the gummies are fine for prenatals. It doesn't matter what form you are taking them in.  Just make sure you see how many you need to take in one day. I've taken some where you need to take 2-3 daily to get the right amount of vitamins.  
    Yes, this is true, I have to take 6 of the Smarty Pants Gummy daily. 

    Me 34 DH 36 Married since July 2010 
    MFI (High DNA Fragmentation) & Mild endometriosis
    TTC #1 since June 2015 
    Aug 2016 - May 2017  6 IUI's with letrozole - BFN
    April 2017 - laparoscopy to remove mild endo
    June 2017 - Mini IVF letrozole 12.5mg, Gonal-F 75IU - Cancelled early ovulation, no eggs retrieved. 
    Aug/Sept 2017 - Mini IVF letrozole 12.5mg, Gonal-F 75IU, cetrotide - 13 eggs retrieved, 11 mature
    5 eggs ICSI'd 6 eggs frozen - 1 day 5 blast transfered, 2 expanded blast frozen - BFP!
    May 2018 - Baby girl born - Our Joy

    TTC #2 since July 2019
    July 2019 - FET - BFN
    Jan 2020 - FET - canceled due to family health issues
    Mar 2020 - FET - low beta - chemical pregnancy
    July 2020 - ICSI'd remaining 6 eggs - 3 fertilized - 2 survived to early blast stage, transfered both - Chemical Pregnancy


  • I'm looking up all of your suggestions, thank you ladies!
    I currently take Alive multivitamins and I was looking into getting their prenatals (prior to this thread) but I decided against it because these vitamins don't seem to give me no energy or it could be my anemia. So iron is a big must in whatever prenatal I choose.

    RE office called yesterday and said that my husband has the blood disorder as well (dangit) and they want us to do genetic testing on our embryos when the time comes smt (I was really hoping to skip that).

    @holls214 I have gummies now and I jump to take them in the mornings lol who gets excited about taking vitamins hahahah

    @adirat its always a fight to get men to take vitamins constantly so I told DH last night that he will be taking them when I take mines because he can't be trusted lol.... How long do I take the probiotic for, do you know? my RE didn't say ..

    @ReesaAnne16 that book is definitely a must read to anyone going through this process. It was so helpful to me. I notice that most of the vitamins like C,D,E etc are in alot of the prenatals already (yaaay) but iron is rarely in them and that's something I really need.

    @J1006 nature made is such a good brand. I have their iron tablets but I constantly forget to take them uggghh
    Me:28 DH:33
    01/10/12 : First ectopic pregnancy  :'(
    Dx:PCOS
    2012-2015: TTC #2 (2 rounds of clomid + metformin)
    04/13/15: Second ectopic pregnancy  :'(
    02/29/16: Third ectopic pregnancy  :'(
    Tubal Infertility
    Married: 2/11/17  <3
    7/21/17 : Consult with RE  :#
    10/12/17 : Second consult with a different RE
    1st IVF Cycle scheduled for Feb 2018
    02/13/18 : ER
    (22 follies,16m Eggs, 11 fert, 5 blasts)
    02/18/18 : ET 
    - 2 beautiful blast 3AA,2AA (highest quality)
    02/27/18 : First Beta - 193!!!
    03/01/18 : Second Beta - 546


  • All my supplements are NFH brand which I get from my naturopath. I have a lot of dietary restrictions and this brand is gluten/wheat free, dairy free, soy free, yeast free, starch free, sugar free, salt free, egg free and has no artificial colours or flavours. It is also 3rd party tested for identity, potency, and purity.

    I take:
    Omega 3
    Probiotic
    Prenatal
    CoQ10 (just started this one this week)
    methylfolate (in addition to what's in the prenatal)
    Vitamin D
    B12 (the activitated form methylcobalamin)
    Magnesium
    Heme Iron (my iron is on the low side)


     
    Me: 35 I DH: 38
    *TW loss and children mentioned*
    DD:2006 | Dx: Unexplained Secondary Infertility | DS: 2011

    TFAS since 2012

    Oct 16: Spontaneous BFP | m/c @ 9w1d (massive SCH) | D&C
    Apr 17: IUI #1 = BFN
    May 17: IUI #2 = BFN
    Jun 17: IUI #3 = Late BFP (18 DPO) | NMC 17Jul17 @ ~6w
    Aug 17: IUI #4 = Cancelled due to premature ovulation | TI = BFN
    Sep 17: IUI #5 = Cancelled due to overstimulation (10+ follies)
    Nov 17: IVF #1 = Cancelled due to non-IF related health issue | TI = BFN
    Dec 17: IVF #1 = Puregon 200, Menopur 75, Orgalutran, Suprefact trigger due to OHSS risk | 22R, 18M, 16F, 10B frozen  
    Feb 18: FET #1 (medicated) = BFN
    Mar 18: FET #2 (natural cycle) = CP (beta 1: 54; beta 2: 0)
    Apr 18: FET #3 (natural cycle) = cancelled due to missed ovulation
    Apr 18: FET #3 (natural cycle) = BFP! Beta 1: 201  Beta 2: 585 Beta 3: 3254 Beta 4: 9715 U/S 19May - one bean measuring on track with a HB of 125!
    EDD: 07Jan2019 Team Green
    My Rainbow Baby Boy born 03Jan2019 <3 

  • We are like walking pharmacies OMG!!! 
    Me:28 DH:33
    01/10/12 : First ectopic pregnancy  :'(
    Dx:PCOS
    2012-2015: TTC #2 (2 rounds of clomid + metformin)
    04/13/15: Second ectopic pregnancy  :'(
    02/29/16: Third ectopic pregnancy  :'(
    Tubal Infertility
    Married: 2/11/17  <3
    7/21/17 : Consult with RE  :#
    10/12/17 : Second consult with a different RE
    1st IVF Cycle scheduled for Feb 2018
    02/13/18 : ER
    (22 follies,16m Eggs, 11 fert, 5 blasts)
    02/18/18 : ET 
    - 2 beautiful blast 3AA,2AA (highest quality)
    02/27/18 : First Beta - 193!!!
    03/01/18 : Second Beta - 546


  • mrsa2017 said:
    @ReesaAnne16 that book is definitely a must read to anyone going through this process. It was so helpful to me. I notice that most of the vitamins like C,D,E etc are in alot of the prenatals already (yaaay) but iron is rarely in them and that's something I really need.

    Yes they often do, but not always in the amount suggested by "It starts with the egg" 
    For example, my prenatal only has 30IU of vitamin E, but 200IU is the recommended amount. 

    Me 34 DH 36 Married since July 2010 
    MFI (High DNA Fragmentation) & Mild endometriosis
    TTC #1 since June 2015 
    Aug 2016 - May 2017  6 IUI's with letrozole - BFN
    April 2017 - laparoscopy to remove mild endo
    June 2017 - Mini IVF letrozole 12.5mg, Gonal-F 75IU - Cancelled early ovulation, no eggs retrieved. 
    Aug/Sept 2017 - Mini IVF letrozole 12.5mg, Gonal-F 75IU, cetrotide - 13 eggs retrieved, 11 mature
    5 eggs ICSI'd 6 eggs frozen - 1 day 5 blast transfered, 2 expanded blast frozen - BFP!
    May 2018 - Baby girl born - Our Joy

    TTC #2 since July 2019
    July 2019 - FET - BFN
    Jan 2020 - FET - canceled due to family health issues
    Mar 2020 - FET - low beta - chemical pregnancy
    July 2020 - ICSI'd remaining 6 eggs - 3 fertilized - 2 survived to early blast stage, transfered both - Chemical Pregnancy


  • So true.  I will definitely pay close attention to that.  Thanks for the tip @ReesaAnne16
    Me:28 DH:33
    01/10/12 : First ectopic pregnancy  :'(
    Dx:PCOS
    2012-2015: TTC #2 (2 rounds of clomid + metformin)
    04/13/15: Second ectopic pregnancy  :'(
    02/29/16: Third ectopic pregnancy  :'(
    Tubal Infertility
    Married: 2/11/17  <3
    7/21/17 : Consult with RE  :#
    10/12/17 : Second consult with a different RE
    1st IVF Cycle scheduled for Feb 2018
    02/13/18 : ER
    (22 follies,16m Eggs, 11 fert, 5 blasts)
    02/18/18 : ET 
    - 2 beautiful blast 3AA,2AA (highest quality)
    02/27/18 : First Beta - 193!!!
    03/01/18 : Second Beta - 546


  • @jk5309 will read up on that as well lol, thank you
    Me:28 DH:33
    01/10/12 : First ectopic pregnancy  :'(
    Dx:PCOS
    2012-2015: TTC #2 (2 rounds of clomid + metformin)
    04/13/15: Second ectopic pregnancy  :'(
    02/29/16: Third ectopic pregnancy  :'(
    Tubal Infertility
    Married: 2/11/17  <3
    7/21/17 : Consult with RE  :#
    10/12/17 : Second consult with a different RE
    1st IVF Cycle scheduled for Feb 2018
    02/13/18 : ER
    (22 follies,16m Eggs, 11 fert, 5 blasts)
    02/18/18 : ET 
    - 2 beautiful blast 3AA,2AA (highest quality)
    02/27/18 : First Beta - 193!!!
    03/01/18 : Second Beta - 546


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