Our team of midwives, a dietitian and a Fetal Medicine + Obstetrics Consultant have used their expertise to develop a range of supplements and an information hub to support both you and your partner on your journey into parenthood. We have used the most robust and current research and data available throughout the development of our supplements.
Our pre-conception and pregnancy supplements use natural and plant-based vitamins and minerals to increase and optimise bioavailability and boost overall effectiveness. Developed by our team of pregnancy and nutrition experts, they provide a perfectly balanced supplement to support you and your baby, from trying to conceive and throughout your pregnancy.
Getting the correct nutrition from your diet in pregnancy is vital. However, not everyone eats a well-balanced diet, whether this is through choice or circumstance. Deficiencies in some vitamins and minerals, such as folate (folic acid in its natural state) and vitamin D, can interfere with the healthy development of your unborn baby and negatively impact your own health. Therefore, all pregnant women and those trying to conceive are advised to take these in a supplement form. It is why we developed our range of supplements for women.
The terms folic acid and folate are often used interchangeably, but there are significant differences. Folate, also known as vitamin B9, is part of the B group of vitamins naturally found in food. Folic acid is the synthetic (man-made) form of folate, found in most supplements and fortified foods. Folate is crucial for your overall health and particularly important when it comes to having babies. This is because it significantly improves fertility and plays a vital role in supporting the healthy development of your baby’s brain, spine and neural tube in the early weeks of pregnancy.
Folic acid is inactive and needs to be turned into the active form (that is, folate) when consumed to be able to metabolise (absorb) it. Recent scientific research has indicated that many of us may have difficulty in metabolising folic acid and because of this, some people (even with supplementation) might not be getting the required amount of folic acid. Research also suggests that in its natural state, folate in the form of L-Methylfolate has greater absorption and is more easily metabolised. We have chosen to use 100% naturally occurring L-Methylfolate (5-MTHF) in our supplements.
When looking for a pre-conception and/or pregnancy supplement the ingredient list will state if it contains L-Methylfolate or folic acid, and if L-Methylfolate levels are 100% (that is, 400mcg).
Folic acid in its natural form of L-Methylfolate 400ug – an optimal maternal folate status is vital for supporting the healthy development of the unborn baby’s brain, spine and neural tube. L-Methylfolate is also beneficial beyond 12 weeks as it contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy.
Vitamin D – Is an essential micronutrient that supports the development of healthy bones, teeth and muscles in your growing baby, and helps prevent vitamin D deficiency in you.
Iron - Is responsible for healthy blood and tissue formation and ensures you and your baby have an optimal oxygen-carrying capacity. Because your requirement for iron doubles, or even triples, in pregnancy, supplementation is strongly recommended.
Calcium, zinc & iodine – These minerals are some of the essential building blocks for a healthy pregnancy and your requirements for them increase as your pregnancy progresses.
B Vitamins – This group of vitamins nurture the healthy formation and development of your baby, help regulate your hormones in pregnancy and promote a healthy nervous system in mum and baby. As they are water-soluble, the body cannot store them, making daily supplementation a must.
Read our guide to pregnancy vitamins, supplements and nutrition to learn more.
Pre-conception + pregnancy supplements women comprehensively supports your nutritional needs from the moment you start trying for your baby, throughout your pregnancy and during your postnatal recovery.
For optimal nutritional support, start taking 3 months before you start trying to conceive. You will also reap the benefits if you start taking pre-conception + pregnancy supplements women when you are already trying or have just found out you are pregnant – it is never too late to give your body the best!
Choose what time works best for you and stick to it! We find that the key to taking your supplements daily is to incorporate them into your routine. So, have them by your kettle and take them every morning before your morning drink or, if you prefer evenings (perhaps morning is the height of queasiness for you), have them on your bedside table and take them before the lights go out.
Take 2 capsules daily. You can either take them with a small glass of water. Or, if you’re suffering with nausea or struggle to swallow tablets, break them open and simply add the contents to your food or drink.
Planning to start or grow your family isn’t just about the practicalities of when baby arrives, it is also about making sure that you and your sperm are in the best possible health to maximise your partner’s chance of getting pregnant each month.
The environment we live in, our lifestyle and our diet choices can all affect a couple’s fertility. As well as making positive changes to improve these, you can help optimise your fertility and sexual function by taking a daily supplement containing vitamins and minerals known to help sperm and male reproductive health.
Zinc plays a crucial role in men’s fertility. It has a vital function for sperm production and health, testicular health and seminal fluid and is known to improve male libido and erectile function. Alongside other vitamins and minerals, it also plays a key role as an antioxidant and in boosting the immune system.
Zinc is a mineral that isn’t stored in sufficient amounts in the body so must be obtained daily through diet or via a supplement. Men whose diet includes very little, or no meat are particularly at risk of zinc deficiency.
To learn more about how you can support your fertility read our blog.
Zinc – Optimal levels of this mineral are vital for men seeking to improve and maintain their libido and erectile function, as well as a healthy sperm production, testicular health and overall immunity.
Selenium – Is key for healthy sperm. It not only contributes to normal spermatogenesis (production of sperm), but it encourages and supports normal sperm morphology and motility.
Co-Enzyme Q10 – Plays an important role in improving the quality of semen – particularly, sperm concentration and motility.
Siberian Ginseng – Used for centuries for its aphrodisiac and health benefits, science is now discovering its function in increasing sperm count, as well as in reducing stress, increasing energy levels and boosting the immune system.
Vitamins B12, C & D – all play an important role in the production of healthy sperm and contribute to the normal function of the immune system
B6 – supports the regulation of hormonal activity
Read our guide to male fertility supplements to find out more.
A comprehensive blend of vitamins and minerals to help optimise normal sperm production and support your fertility. Developed by midwives, in conjunction with a Dietitian and a Fetal Medicine & Obstetric Consultant, our pre-conception supplements men are a vegan, natural and plant-based formula and contain a comprehensive blend of essential vitamins and minerals to help optimise sperm production, improve sexual function and maintain a healthy male reproductive system - supporting you on your journey to parenthood.
For optimal results, start taking 3 months before you and your partner start trying to conceive, or as soon as! To form a daily habit, have pre-conception supplements by the kettle or on your bedside table and take at the same time every day.
Choose what time works best for you and stick to it! Take 2 capsules daily that can either be swallowed or opened and mixed with food or drink.
what to look for when choosing vitamins and what to avoid
Pre-conception and pregnancy vitamins often have complex ingredient lists containing a whole alphabet of vitamins, but there’s only a certain amount of vitamins that a tablet should contain so look for the right amounts of a few key nutrients, including:
Folic Acid and additional B vitamins, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Zinc & Iodine and avoid very high doses of vitamins (also known as mega doses), unless specifically advised by your doctor as they can cause a range of symptoms from fatigue to stomach cramps and diarrhoea to more severe side effects.
Whilst Vitamin A is important in a non-pregnant diet, the NHS advise against taking it as a supplement in pregnancy and to avoid certain foods that are high in vitamin A.
