Getting Pregnant after Using the Pill for 10 Years
Optimizing your vitamin and mineral levels for fertility and a healthy pregnancy
By Dr. Cynthia Hall ND
4 MINUTE READ
Stopping the Pill
In cases where you have been using hormones to prevent pregnancy (ex. the oral contraceptive pill, IUD, injection or patch) and have recently stopped, you are most likely experiencing deficiencies of vitamins and minerals. These deficiencies may be affecting your ability to get pregnant and maintain a healthy pregnancy. Some of the more common nutrients that I see depleted with hormonal contraceptive use are iron, folate (B9), riboflavin (B2), pyridoxine (B6), cobalamin (B12), Vitamin C, magnesium, selenium and zinc.
These nutrients are not only important for the optimal functioning of your red blood cells (iron), immune system (vitamin C, zinc), nervous system (B9, B12) and metabolism (B2, B6, magnesium, selenium) -- but they are also very important for healthy weight management, fertility and pregnancy.
Importance of Vitamin B6 in Pregnancy
Vitamin B6 is implicated in morning sickness (nausea and vomiting) seen in early pregnancy. It is also important for healthy brain and nervous system development, mood and cardiovascular health.
I commonly see Vitamin B6 depleted in cases of low mood and depression. This may be in part due to the importance of B6 in many reactions related to the production of neurotransmitters: serotonin, dopamine and GABA – all related to mood.
There is value in assessing your vitamin B6 levels, especially if you have been on the pill for a long time.
Importance of Folate and B12 in Pregnancy
Vitamin B9 (folate) is the most well-known vitamin in pregnancy and is important for fetal DNA replication and synthesis. Adequate folate is important in the prevention of spina bifida and anencephaly – both are related to the proper growth and formation of a baby’s nervous system. As a Naturopathic Doctor, I also use folate supplementation to support cases of cervical dysplasia (precancerous abnormal cells of the cervix) due to its importance in DNA replication.
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is also very important for fetal nervous system growth, and has a relationship to DNA replication and red blood cell formation. I have also seen it depleted in certain cases of anemia, long-term alcohol use and nerve damage.
Ways to Increase Folate, B6 and B12
One of the more cost-effective ways to increase these nutrients is through eating a diet mainly of whole foods: red meat, poultry, eggs, fish (tuna, salmon), dark leafy greens (spinach, Swiss chard, kale), fruits, nuts & seeds (pumpkin, chia, sesame, sunflower, almond cashews, peanuts, Brazil nuts). The list goes on and on.
Unfortunately, due to the reality of our conventional farming practices, soil health is deteriorating. And, food is not as nutrient dense as it once was – meaning lower levels of valuable vitamins and minerals.
To ensure you are getting enough of these vitamins and minerals to replenish your stores, I advise supplementation. When I say supplementation, I am referring to two different options:
Incorporating a daily high-quality multivitamin that is rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals.
For a more targeted approach, incorporating intramuscular (into muscle) and/or intravenous (into vein) therapy. Bypassing the digestive tract can increase the overall absorption of these vitamins and minerals.
Tips to Finding a High-Quality Multivitamin:
Vitamin Ingredients Recommendations:
Look for vitamin combinations where the B vitamins are “methylated”. For example: rather than folate, the ingredient is ‘methylfolate’. When folate is absorbed into the body, you convert it to methylfolate (the bioavailable and active form). Multi-vitamins that already include “methyl” will be easier for your body to put to work. Without getting too technical, there is a common gene variation (MTHFR gene) that limits the body’s ability to add a methyl group to vitamins, thereby preventing activation. Methylated B vitamins bypass this possible road block.
Vitamin Ingredients to Avoid:
Now it is time to take a look below at the “Other Ingredients” list. Here a couple ingredients that you want to steer clear of:
Titanium dioxide, a common additive, has shown to be toxic to cells and genes, increase inflammation, and cause cancer in rat studies. I recognize humans are not the same as rat studies, but it is an effect I am not willing to ignore.
Many Dyes, common colorants, have been found to increase risk of cancer, hypersensitivity reactions and are genotoxic.
It can be challenging to find a quality multi-vitamin at the local pharmacy. Though the price-point of professional brands may be slightly higher than what you find at the local store, these brands are of significantly higher quality. These multi-vitamins will be free of gluten, dairy, and many other filler substances. Higher quality promotes better absorption and bioavailability; ultimately, more bang for your buck.
There are cases where supplementing individual vitamins and minerals is indicated. It is best to consult a health care professional before to ensure you are taking an optimal dose. In these cases, if you are pregnant or trying to conceive, consult a health care professional. In too high amounts, some vitamins and minerals can be harmful to a growing fetus.
Nutrient Testing
For those interested in a more specific and accurate picture of overall nutrient status, there are reliable blood tests that assess multiple vitamins and minerals. Tests for some of the more common vitamins may be covered by your insurance plan (ex. B6, B9, B12, iron). There are other comprehensive tests that cover over 50 nutrients in the blood and measure nutrient levels within the cells themselves. These tests are not covered by insurance, but are especially helpful for complex cases, vegetarian/vegan diets, digestive concerns, chronic disease and long-term medication use.
If you would like to learn more about a targeted nutritional supplement approach for you, and IV therapy options, book an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Hall ND.
References:
PMID: 23852908, 27348598, 2047064, 22102928, 30781902, 26391178, 35895099, 35127297, 27763531, 23026007
