Folate Supplements Increase IVF Success

Women interested in becoming pregnant are encouraged to take at least 400 ug of folic acid, also known as folate, to prevent neural tube defects in their babies. Folate is important for DNA synthesis and RNA transfer, promoting rapid cell growth, and therefore is an important supplement to take for preconception, during the preconception period, and throughout pregnancy.

Do folate supplements increase IVF success? There is growing evidence that IVF success rates are improved in women taking higher doses of folate. In a prospective study of women having IVF, pretreatment of more than 800 ug/day of folate was associated with a higher probability of live birth due to higher fertilization rates, lower cycle failure before embryo transfer, improved embryo survival, and higher implantation rates. Vitamin B12 was also associated with higher birth rates.

Supplemental folate is preferable to diet alone, even with folate-fortified foods, as they do not contain enough folate to make an appreciable difference. So one way of getting ready for a successful pregnancy is to take supplemental folate. If you are trying to conceive and are having difficulty, contact us for an initial consultation.