I have seen many patients with the MTHFR gene mutations and overwhelmingly they present with multiple miscarriages and failed IVF procedures. Often, they have been to multiple doctors, multiple clinics, multiple naturopaths and nutritionists but they cannot fall pregnant or hold a pregnancy. Why?

Well mostly it’s because they lack active folate. Remember that active folate is essential for good DNA and the key reason they are having miscarriages and not falling pregnant is because you need active folate to have good hormones and you need it for good DNA in the sperm and the egg. If you don’t then the body says “this is not a viable pregnancy, I’m going to get rid of it”. Its natures way of helping us deliver healthy babies.

Its crucial though to make sure that both Mom and Dad are checked for the MTHFR gene. 

You can see the MTHFR enzyme comes in at this last step of the process. This means, that if you have a mutation in your MTHFR gene, the ability for your body to create healthy levels of active folate will be affected or decreased. This will result in less active folate available for your body to use in several very important processes.

This is where the link between MTHFR gene mutation, preconception and pregnancy arises. Several of the vital processes that we need active folate for are highly active during times of preconception and pregnancy and need to be working well to support a healthy pregnancy.

During preconception and pregnancy, you need good levels of active folate for:

• Creating healthy DNA for both you and your future child. This is the biggest reason why knowing your MTHFR gene result is so important. Active folate is directly involved in the synthesis of new DNA. And while we have a constant demand for the production of new and healthy DNA, you can imagine that demand for this hugely increases during pregnancy, when you are growing a new life! Issues with not enough healthy DNA available for both mother and growing child can result in issues with pregnancy, fetal growth, and general childhood development.
• Preventing levels of a substance in the body called homocysteine from climbing too high, which can be related to blood clots and increased risk of blot clot formation during pregnancy.
• To create molecules called ‘methyl groups’, which act as instruction manuals for your DNA and cells, telling them the correct way to ‘behave’, so they do not do anything unwanted (e.g. cause disease or dysfunction within the body). We need healthy levels of these methyl groups to methylate/instruct your DNA, and without it cells are uncontrolled and can start to cause problems.
• Formation of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, which are all vital for both the health of the mother during pregnancy and also for the health of the child during pregnancy and after birth as they begin to rapidly grow and come into contact with bacteria and pathogens to strengthen their immune system.

Below I have broken down the latest research on the three most common pregnancy-related issues associated with MTHFR genes, and explain just how these important genetic mutations could be playing a role.