Pill popping your way to better eggs...

They say it takes 3 Months for an Egg to develop, so it is recommended to start these supplements 90 days before retrieval, if possible. If you don't have that long, don't stress - just start them as soon as you can. Please consult with your doctor before starting any new supplements!

Prenatal Vitamins: Prenatal vitamins have a mix of important supplements for baby-making. Folic Acid helps with new cell development and can decrease the chances of birth defects. Make sure your prenatal vitamin supplement contains DHA, which is an omega-3 fatty acid. DHA helps with fetus brain development and has also been shown to reduce the chance of preterm delivery.

CoQ10: Coenzyme Q10 functions as an antioxidant by protecting cells in the body from damage caused by harmful molecules, but your body's natural production of CoQ10 diminishes as you age. In a study published in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics that examined women who were undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF), researchers found that women who had higher concentrations of CoQ10 in the fluid surrounding their eggs experienced better quality embryos and higher pregnancy rates. The most common dose during fertility treatment is 300-600mg per day.

Vitamin D: Depending on your Prenatal Vitamin of choice, you may already be covered with Vitamin D intake. Studies have shown women taking 4,000 IU of vitamin D daily had the greatest benefits in preventing preterm labor/births and infections.

DHEA: This is typically for women, like myself, with a low ovarian reserve. Studies show that women with low ovarian reserve don’t produce enough androgens and that DHEA supplements taken early in follicular development can improve the quality and quantity of eggs produced. The recommended supplemental dosage is 25 mg three times a day, but definitely consult with your doctor before adding this to your plan!

NAD: This is a relatively new supplement, and still in clinic trial stages. NAD naturally occurs in the body, but decreases with age. My doctor suggested it after studies showed there was potential that small doses of NAD could increase egg quality. Find out more about the research HERE.

Melatonin: In addition to helping you sleep during an inevitably stressful time, Melatonin has been shown to increase the melatonin levels in human follicular fluid. It is thought that melatonin may protect the egg from oxidative stress.

Magnesium: Magnesium has known effects to reduce inflammation, maintain a good blood supply to the womb and is vital for the production of progesterone.