Most women are recommended to take prenatal vitamins when they find out that they're pregnant, although some physicians might prescribe prenatal vitamins to women for additional reasons. Prenatal multivitamins will not boost your chances of conception, but might treat deficiencies that can lead to infertility.
Identification
Prenatal vitamins are a form of multivitamin formulated for pregnant women that have a higher iron, folic acid and calcium content than regular over-the-counter multivitamins. Women who are trying to conceive or people who have iron deficiency anemia also might be prescribed prenatal multivitamins to help treat or prevent deficiencies.
Considerations
If your physician or fertility specialist feels that a lack of vitamins and minerals might be causing your inability to conceive, he might prescribe you specific vitamin or mineral supplements, or you might be directed to take a multivitamin that contains the correct dosage of these vitamins and minerals. Although prenatal multivitamins are not proven to help aid in conception, they can help treat vitamin or mineral deficiencies, which can cause a delay in conception.
Concerns
If your physician feels that you are deficient in certain vitamins and minerals and directs you to take a specific dose, do not take a prenatal vitamin along with the prescription vitamin or mineral. Taking more than the recommended daily allowance of any one vitamin can cause vitamin and mineral toxicity, which can lead to nerve damage, coma or death in severe cases. According to Medline Plus, overdosing on iron on its own or in multivitamin supplements can result in death even up to a week after the overdose.
The Bottom Line
If you are having trouble conceiving, consult with your gynecologist of fertility specialist before attempting to treat the condition yourself using over-the-counter multivitamin supplements including prenatal vitamins. He will prescribe you the appropriate medications or suggest lifestyle changes to help aid in fertility.
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