State aims to improve women’s reproductive health before pregnancy

State aims to improve women’s reproductive health before pregnancy
To improve Utah children’s health, the state health department has launched a campaign to help their mothers thrive. Called “Power Your Life, Power Your Health,” the push recommends a range of health strategies, from taking folic acid to reducing stress to choosing birth control.

Read more on The Salt Lake Tribune

Maybe Baby? Help and Advice with Pregnancy

Newspapers have been writing a lot about fertility and the fact that more and more women choose to start a family in their 30′s or forty’s. Women nowadays are highly likely to have a high flying career and be brooding about town trips, shoe shopping and sports autos, and far less about Mothercare, changing nappies, and pushing carts.

The average age for giving birth in the UK is going up about two months every year. The average age in 2007 was 29.3 years compared with 28.6 years in 2001. Statistics prove the average girl under thirty will get pregnant in the first 6 months and those in their early 30′s may take up to and longer than 9 months. From 35 onwards it might take one year.

Some girls are spending plenty of cash attempting to increase their possibilities of conceiving naturally, but this may be a needless cost. Lord Robert Winston, pioneer of IVF treatment, told the Daily Mail that ladies who freeze their eggs to obstruct parenthood are being given false hopes by fertility clinics. He is going on to say that this does not in any way guarantee that a women will become pregnant or go on to have a healthy baby.

So without ditching the thrilling lifestyle what can you do to help turbo-charge your wellbeing for that ‘maybe baby’ stage? Being healthy is far easier than you might think. Here are a few tips

For her :

Iron

Most ladies recognize iron as an important mineral for good health. Despite this knowledge, iron deficiency is regarded the most common nutritive deficiency and the most influenced group are ladies of child-bearing age. Studies have shown that even delicate deficiencies of iron are linked to reduced fertility. It appears that a deficiency of iron may perform a part in ovulatory dysfunction. Take daily Iron supplements ( look for non-constipating form )

Essential trans acids

The force on women to stay slim has lead to many women adopting very fat free diets. Unfortunately, this pattern of eating is related to a decline in fertility. The necessary trans acids ( found in nuts, seeds and oily fish ) have many functions across the body, including balancing the hormones involved in fertility. Try Omega 3-6-9 capsules with a mix of high quality fish, flax and borage oil.

Multivitamin and mineral formula

A multivitamin and mineral formula has for some time been regarded as a measure for general wellness and as health insurance. Studies now suggest that a multivitamin formula could also be of use for maintaining fertility in women. Studies in the latter 90s proved that ladies who constantly took a multivitamin formula, were less sure to be infertile due to ovulatory failure than people who didn’t. Similarly, the more frequent and regular the supplements were taken, the better the results .

Try Solgar’s Female Multivitamin & Mineral complicated

Vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 ( also known as the sunshine vitamin ) could help the fertility of women affected by ovulation Problems. One in 5 girls suffer with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ( PCOS ) and can have a lesser chance of conception at a later age. Researchers at Yale varsity faculty of medication ( 2008 ) concluded ladies with ovulation problems or PCOS were much more sure to be short of vitamin D.

Try 1000iu D3 supplement

For him :

Your better half should be thinking along the same lines as you when it comes to living healthily. Sperm count and motility plays a particularly significant part in the act of making an attempt to become pregnant. Why do all of the hard work when your other half plays an equal part in the middle of conception? current figures ( from Norwich Union Healthcare in 2005 ) show that 2.5 million men suffer from sterility in the UK. Male infertility may account for as much as a 3rd of Problems with conception so it is important that your man takes similar steps to you to keep himself and his sperm in tip top health.

Zinc

Zinc is clearly one of the most vital nutrients needed for fertility, particularly for men. Studies show that a low zinc intake corresponds with a low sperm count and poor sperm motility.

Vitamin C

As an antioxidant, vitamin C is critical for good health. For men, this nutrient plays a specific role in enhancing fertility. Research has demonstrated that vitamin C may help to cut the clumping together of sperm and thus boosts sperm motility. In addition, vitamin C typically reinforces sperm quality and protects the DNA contained inside it from damage.

Visit www.solgar.co.uk for more information on vitamin & mineral supplements

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The first step in pregnancy is getting the correct Prenatal Support. Go along to the Solgar site and find all the data you need. Keith Woolley is a Research Director for Heath Food Stores in the UK

Important Prenatal Vitamins to Take: Folic Acid, Iron and Vitamin A

“Is it always recommended to take prenatal vitamins?” “Is taking medicine dangerous for pregnant women?” “Does it have any side effects?” These are some of the questions that bother pregnant women today. To note, pregnancy is one of the most significant events that a woman has to experience in her life. Not to mention of course, the thrill and excitement it brings.

Many experts found out that women who are taking prenatal vitamins are healthier. It also was found to have the same effect on the unborn child. And if you are thinking that eating the right kinds of foods will suffice, think twice.

Aside from eating the right kind of foods, fertility experts suggest that pregnant women should take prenatal vitamins. This does not replace the nutrients but instead, supplements them.

One very important prenatal vitamin necessary for pregnant women to take is folic acid. Folic acid, which is part of the vitamin B family is critical for a strong pregnancy and healthy fetal development. This vitamin is not only intended for pregnant women who are less healthy during pregnancy but it also holds true even for healthy pregnant women. Folic acid is known to reduce the risk of birth defects like spina bifida, neural tube defects and other birth defects like congenital heart conditions. Spina bifida is the most common neural tube defect. These congenital abnormalities can be a major problem for the family and is also a threat to a child’s life. Women therefore,should take an abundant quantity of folic acid not only when one becomes pregnant, but also during the time when you are already preparing yourself for pregnancy. To note, some doctors advise pregnant women to take 200 micrograms (mcg)of folic acid or also known as folate everyday.

Two separate studies in 1991 and 1996 found out that folic acid can help prevent neural tube defects, urinary tract and cardiovascular defects. Deficiency folic acid will lead to low birth weight and increased incidence of neural tube defects.

Another necessary prenatal vitamin is iron. Iron is the main component of hemoglobin which is the part of the blood that carries oxygen. Thus, iron is important in the transportation of oxygen in the body of the pregnant woman and that of the unborn child. Iron enhances the baby’s healthy growth and helps the mother maintain a healthy body as she gives birth to a baby.

There are many things Vitamin A can do. First, it can help in developing the embryo,cells and tissues. Second, it fights infections and repair damaged tissues. Third, it can also help in lactation which is done during breastfeeding. Lastly, it develops other parts of the body such as the eyes, heart, skin and mucous membranes. These are the reasons why Vitamin A is essential for pregnant women.

Indeed, the intake of prenatal vitamins helps a woman not only during the stage of pregnancy but also after giving birth. And the best thing about it is that you have also provided a healthy life to your child.

Natasha Marryat runs the Why Can’t I Get Pregnant blog where she blogs about pregnancy issues. Hop over to her blog to learn more about trying to get pregnant.