To B or Not to B - The B Vitamins in Pregnancy
If you haven't already done your own research on what vitamins & minerals perform what functions in our bodies, we can help elaborate on the Vitamin B spectrum and how each of the B vitamins helps support preconception and contributes towards normal pregnancy in women experiencing involuntary childlessness:
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is one of the most useful vitamins for women suffering from infertility, particularly when due to PCOS. Its main importance is in regulating hormone levels, specifically the two hormones which are crucial for conception: A) Progesterone and B) Estrogen. This accomplishes two things:
- It increases female fertility
- It increases the probability of actually getting pregnant
Vitamin B6 also supports proper hormonal balance, which is commonly experienced by sufferers of PMT. Moreover, it helps to maintain blood sugar, estrogen and progesterone levels. It also helps with mood regulation via serotonin.
Many women with PCOS have deficiencies in serotonin, combined with low progesterone, so this specific function is a key contribution to managing involuntary childlessness.
Vitamin B12
There’s a strong connection between a lack of Vitamin B12 and abnormal estrogen levels, which may interfere with fertilized egg implantation. This occurs due to minimized endometrium lining in egg fertilization, increasing the chances of miscarriage. This is essentially why Vitamin B12 is a crucial component of the unique PregnaluX composition.
Folic Acid (Vitamin B9)
Also known as Folate and Vitamin B9, Folic Acid is a vitamin which is paramount to combating involuntary childlessness for two main reasons, both before and during conception:
- It increases overall female fertility levels
- It may lower the risk of birth defects in your baby
It accomplishes this, due to its ability to help grow and protect cells in the body. It is also an essential element for the development of DNA. This is especially critical during pregnancy, when cells in the body are growing and dividing at a quicker rate, in order for your uterus to expand, the placenta to develop, blood circulation to increase and the fetus to grow. The CDC recommends that you take Folic Acid supplements every day during pregnancy.
Many other studies (including those from the CDC) suggest that Folic Acid lowers the risk of birth defects by at least 50% and if you've already had a baby with a defect, it can reduce the risk for your next child by as much as 70%.
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
Vitamin B5 plays a key role in reproductive health and also in early fetal development.
Vitamin B5 is also important, as it may help women to metabolize fat, which is particularly pertinent for women who are overweight and need to lose weight, to qualify for fertility support.
In summary, Vitamin B5:
- Helps metabolize fats, proteins, and carbohydrates
- Helps to prevent pregnancy-related muscle cramps
- Aids in the release of stress-relieving hormones