Choline & Fertility: TikTok’s Organ Meat Trend for Women

Technically, pregnancy begins about two weeks before conception. However, in certain corners of Instagram and Tiktok people are convinced that it starts much earlier. Apparently you have to worry about the fetus before it even comes into existence. But don’t worry: Social Media has enough tips to optimally prepare for the so-called Trimester Zero.

The ideal woman in the trimester zero bubble eats enough offal and takes twice as much choline as recommended to boost the IQ of her unconceived baby. She also checks her iron levels daily using a home ferritin test. She has long since sworn off caffeine and alcohol, and she also stays away from bleach and plastic. Physically she is stronger than ever before because she knows that for the next nine months her body will be doing the equivalent of running a marathon every day.

In her podcast “Culture Apothecary,” influencer Alex Clark recommends that women who want to have children should no longer wear nail polish. Men should also optimize their lifestyle, for example by avoiding delivered food, detoxing for three months or wearing a glucose monitor for at least two weeks. Others document trying to lower their cortisol levels through meditation six months before conception. The recommendations go in all directions. The only thing that is clear is that what you are doing now could harm your child – even if you are not pregnant yet.

One thing is clear: health plays a role even before conception. “Lifestyle is not just crucial from day one of your period, the foundation is laid much earlier,” says Dr. Vera Hungerbühler. The reproductive doctor is surrounded by people who want to have children every day. “Long-term smoking can reduce the egg reserve, but being severely underweight or overweight is also an important factor.” The latter can lead to the absence of menstrual cycles and thus to the absence of ovulation, which makes pregnancy impossible.

However, anything that appears too extreme is unnecessary. “Myths such as completely avoiding stress or completely avoiding exercise and caffeine are long outdated – and not realistic either.” She also calls for common sense when dealing with toxic substances. “You should protect yourself with ventilation, a protective mask or gloves anyway. Especially in the first trimester when the embryo’s organs are developing.” Dose and frequency are crucial.

What makes sense, on the other hand, is taking a preparation with sufficient folic acid. “This prevents certain malformations in the early organ development of the embryo.” Supplements are also recommended if there is a proven deficiency of vitamin B12, vitamin D or iron. «According to the dosages, there are clear recommendations. I always encourage my couples to stick to it – a lot doesn’t always help a lot.”

In addition, anyone who smokes should think about quitting when they want to have children. “It not only worsens the fertility of men and women, but also increases the risk of an ectopic pregnancy.” Alcohol consumption also poses a risk and can damage the genetic makeup of eggs and sperm cells even before pregnancy occurs.

Vera Hungerbühler sees the fact that Trimester Zero is being talked about so openly on social media as generally positive. In this way, many young women could be reached and sensitized. At the same time, she warns against overinterpretation. Social media usually provides superficial, general tips – this is no substitute for individual advice. “If in doubt, it’s better to ask your trusted gynecologist.”

Especially when the desire to have children is unfulfilled, the constant idea of optimization can create pressure. Many women first looked for the cause within themselves and wondered if they hadn’t done enough. “It is all the more important to encourage men and women to do what is already working well.” The body is already doing a lot of things right – medicine only supports it.