Preconception
It's important to take care of yourself even before you become pregnant. Put an end to any unhealthy habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol or caffeine, because these can contribute to a range of problems, from low birth weight to miscarriage.1-3
Make sure you're getting the right nutrition, and talk to your doctor about starting prenatal vitamins to support your baby's healthy development from the moment of conception.
Conception
Getting pregnant isn't easy for everyone, and it's no wonder — conception is a complex biological process. In simple terms, here's how it happens:
Ovulation
Most women have a menstrual cycle of approximately 28 to 32 days.4 Typically, one of your ovaries will release an egg sometime between the 11th and 21st day of your cycle (counting the first day of your period as day 1). The egg can be fertilized for 12 to 24 hours after being released.4
Fertilization
The limited existence of each egg means that you have a short window of fertility each month. Research shows that there are approximately 6 days during which you can become pregnant, with the most fertile day immediately prior to ovulation.5
Following intercourse, millions of sperm move through the vagina and cervix, and then across the length of the uterus to the fallopian tube. If one of these sperm encounters an egg, fertilization may occur, after which the combined group of cells will begin to divide and travel down the fallopian tube toward the uterus.
Implantation
When the fertilized egg reaches your uterus, it is implanted in the uterine lining, which it uses for nourishment. This typically occurs 6 to 12 days after ovulation, and once it is complete, your pregnancy test will be positive.4 And, even though the process has just begun, you're already considered close to 4 weeks pregnant, because the pregnancy clock started counting on the first day of your last period.
If you think you may be pregnant, make an appointment with your doctor or health care provider immediately.
Next, learn more about your first trimester.
WARNING: Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. KEEP THIS PRODUCT OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.
If you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or recently gave birth, CitraNatal® ® prescription multivitamins are designed to improve your nutritional health. Be sure to talk with your physician or healthcare practitioner prior to starting any prescription prenatal vitamin regimen.
Important Safety Information
All CitraNatal® products contain Folic acid, which has been shown to reduce the risk of neural tube defects. Some patients taking Folic acid have reported allergic reactions. Talk to your doctor before taking CitraNatal® if you have a known sensitivity to any of its ingredients.
CitraNatal® products are not for everyone. If you have certain types of anemia (pernicious anemia or other megaloblastic anemias) and you are vitamin B12 deficient, Folic acid alone is not enough to treat your condition. Doses of more than 0.1 mg Folic acid per day can hide the symptoms of these anemias, making them difficult to diagnose. Consult with your doctor to find the treatment that is right for you.
Certain CitraNatal® products contain an all-natural, plant-based form of DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid that is found in the brain and eye. You should exercise caution to ensure that your prescribed dosage does not exceed 1 gram (1000 mg) per day. Taking more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids per day has been shown to have antithrombotic effects, including an increased bleeding time and reduced clotting ratio (INR). Inform your doctor and avoid taking omega-3 fatty acids if you are currently taking anticoagulants (blood thinners) or if you have an inherited or acquired tendency to bleed.
CitraNatal® products include iron. Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under six. Always keep CitraNatal® products and other medications out of reach of children, and in case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.
To report negative side effects, contact Mission Pharmacal Company at 1-800-298-1087 or the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
- Bech BH, Nohr EA, Vaeth M, Henriksen TB, Olsen J. Coffee and fetal death: a cohort study with prospective data. Am J Epidemiol. 2005 Nov 15;162(10):983-90. Epub 2005 Oct 5.
- Tolstrup JS, Kjaer SK, Munk C, Madsen LB, Ottesen B, Bergholt T, Grønbaek M. Does caffeine and alcohol intake before pregnancy predict the occurrence of spontaneous abortion? Hum Reprod. 2003 Dec;18(12):2704-10.
- Vielwerth SE, Jensen RB, Larsen T, Greisen G. The impact of maternal smoking on fetal and infant growth. Early Hum Dev. 2007 Aug;83(8):491-5. Epub 2006 Oct 31.
- Understanding Ovulation [Internet]. American Pregnancy Association. Accessed 31 Oct 2008. Available from: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/gettingpregnant/understandingovulation.html
- Dunson DB, Baird DD, Wilcox AJ, Weinberg CR. Day-specific probabilities of clinical pregnancy based on two studies with imperfect measures of ovulation. Hum Reprod. 1999 Jul;14(7):1835-9.
Expecting? Estimate your due date with this online pregnancy wheel.
Click here for an interactive guide to a baby's growth and development during a typical pregnancy.
