Pregnancy Plan Conception Vitamins

B-Vitamins

Female Fertility: Assists with the regulation of hormonal activity and supports female hormonal health generally.

Male Fertility: Important for the healthy functioning of the paternal immune system and regulation of hormonal activity. Also involved in the normal metabolism of protein and glycogen, plus some neurotransmitters, as well as the normal formation of red blood cells.

Pregnancy & Post Natal: Important for the normal functioning of the immune system and regulation of a mother’s hormonal activity

Vitamin C

Fertility: Important antioxidant which assists in protecting both partners' DNA from oxidative damage for healthy eggs and sperm. Also critical for the normal function of the immune system and helps with absorption of Iron

Pregnancy: A powerhouse supporting immune health and collagen formation.

Vitamin E

Fertility: Important antioxidant that helps to protect the egg as well as sperm DNA from damage

Pregnancy & Postnatal: Essential for metabolism and the development of the nervous system throughout pregnancy and if breastfeeding

Iron

Fertility: Important for the normal formation of red blood cells and haemoglobin, normal oxygen transport and the proper functioning of the immune system

Pregnancy: Vital for increasing blood supply to support both you and your baby.

Selenium

Female Fertility: Antioxidant that helps to protect maternal DNA, as well as proteins and lipids from oxidative damage. Also important for the normal functioning of the immune and thyroid systems

Male Fertility: Important for normal sperm production. Also helps protect DNA, and sperm membranes from oxidative damage, as well as supporting male thyroid function, which is very important for fertility

Pregnancy: A powerful antioxidant, especially important to help protect maternal DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage. Also important for the normal functioning of the mother’s immune and thyroid systems

Biotin

Pregnancy: Important for the maintenance of cellular energy and the normal function of the nervous system. 

Postnatal: The concentration of biotin in breast milk is 15 times higher than in the mother’s blood, which may suggest a link between Biotin and a baby’s growth and development

Vitamin D

Female Fertility: Contributes to normal cell division, the normal functioning of the immune system and healthy inflammatory response, which is necessary for the fertilised egg to implant

Male Fertility: Contributes to normal cell division, the normal functioning of the immune system and healthy inflammatory response

Pregnancy: Helps your baby's bones, teeth, kidneys, heart and nervous system to develop

Postnatal: Important to help maintain a healthy inflammatory response and the normal functioning of the immune system

Magnesium

Female Fertility: Important for the synthesis of proteins and maintenance of a healthy maternal metabolism

Pregnancy: Ensuring adequate calcium delivery to support overall development.

Beta Carotene

Female Fertility: A good maternal store helps protect against cell mutation following conception. Safe form of delivery of extra Vitamin A as the body converts it on an "as needed" basis

Pregnancy: Helps protect, safely, against Vitamin A deficiency. Supports normal cell differentiation, normal function of the immune system as well as the normal metabolism of iron

Postnatal: Helps protect, safely, against Vitamin A deficiency and cell mutation. Supports normal function of the immune system as well as the normal metabolism of Iron. Passed on through mother’s milk

Zinc

Female Fertility: Essential for many of the body’s functions, including normal cell division. Also supports normal cognitive function and the normal metabolism of fatty acids. Zinc deficiency is often found in women with fertility problems
and in long-term users of the contraceptive pill

Male Fertility: Very important for male fertility. Needed to make the outer layer and tail of the sperm. Zinc is lost in the semen, so needs to be replenished regularly

Manganese

Helps with the protection of paternal DNA, as well as protecting proteins and lipids from oxidative damage. Also important for the maintenance of normal bone development

Pregnancy: Supports bone formation and metabolism.

Calcium

Female Fertility: Helps to maintain normal muscle function and neurotransmission. Also assists in maintaining a healthy digestion

Pregnancy: Needed for the development of the nervous system and strong healthy bones and teeth

Postnatal: Needed for the development of your baby’s nervous system and strong, healthy bones and teeth

Chromium

Female Fertility: Necessary for regulating blood sugar levels

Pregnancy: Stimulates synthesis of protein in growing baby’s tissues

Folate

Recommended by the NHS for fertility and pregnancy.

Female Fertility: Important to build stores prior to pregnancy. Needed for the development of red blood cells and DNA production

Male Fertility: Vitally important for the normal functioning of the immune system and for normal cell division

Pregnancy: Known to help prevent spina bifida. Works together with Vitamin B12 to ensure healthy cell-division and normal tissue growth during pregnancy

Postnatal: Promotes the production of new and healthy cells for your body. Supplementation can be valuable as good supplies are hard to get from food alone, especially when breastfeeding

Iodine

Pregnancy: Ensures proper thyroid function crucial for early foetal growth.