Should i take vitamin d when pregnant

Newborn vitamin D levels are largely dependent on maternal vitamin D status. Consequently, infants of mothers with or at high risk of vitamin D deficiency are also at risk of vitamin D deficiency 5 6. For the individual pregnant woman thought to be at increased risk of vitamin D deficiency, the serum concentration of OH-D can be used as an indicator of nutritional vitamin D status. An optimal serum level during pregnancy has not been determined and remains an area of active research.

In , the Food and Nutrition Board at the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies established that an adequate intake of vitamin D during pregnancy and lactation was international units per day Most prenatal vitamins typically contain international units of vitamin D per tablet.

Summarizing recent observational and interventional studies, the authors of a recent clinical report from the Committee on Nutrition of the American Academy of Pediatrics suggested that a daily intake higher than that recommended by the Food and Nutrition Board may be needed to maintain maternal vitamin D sufficiency Although data on the safety of higher doses are lacking, most experts agree that supplemental vitamin D is safe in dosages up to 4, international units per day during pregnancy or lactation At this time there is insufficient evidence to support a recommendation for screening all pregnant women for vitamin D deficiency.

For pregnant women thought to be at increased risk of vitamin D deficiency, maternal serum OH-D levels can be considered and should be interpreted in the context of the individual clinical circumstance. Higher dose regimens used for the treatment of vitamin D deficiency have not been studied during pregnancy.

At this time, there is insufficient evidence to recommend vitamin D supplementation for the prevention of preterm birth or preeclampsia. Open search bar Open navigation Submit search. Healthy living. Facebook Youtube Twitter.

Home Healthy living Vitamin D for pregnant women and new mothers. Vitamin D for pregnant women and new mothers Vitamin D is a very important vitamin for both mother and baby. Low levels of vitamin D are common in pregnant women. How will I know if I have low vitamin D? How often do I need to take vitamin D? Back to Keeping well in pregnancy.

Eating a healthy, varied diet in pregnancy will help you get most of the vitamins and minerals you need. This is to reduce the risk of problems in the baby's development in the early weeks of pregnancy. It is also recommended that you take a daily vitamin D supplement. Do not take cod liver oil or any supplements containing vitamin A retinol when you're pregnant. Too much vitamin A could harm your baby.

Always check the label. You also need to know which foods to avoid in pregnancy. You can get supplements from pharmacies and supermarkets, or a GP may be able to prescribe them for you. If you want to get your folic acid from a multivitamin tablet, make sure the tablet does not contain vitamin A or retinol. You may be able to get free vitamins if you qualify for the Healthy Start scheme. Find out more about the Healthy Start scheme. Folic acid can help prevent birth defects known as neural tube defects, including spina bifida.

If you did not take folic acid before you conceived, you should start as soon as you find out you're pregnant. Try to eat green leafy vegetables which contain folate the natural form of folic acid and breakfast cereals and fat spreads with folic acid added to them. Next, research suggests sensible sun exposure usually min of exposure of the arms and legs or the hands, arms, and face, 2 or 3 times per week can help as well.

However, the best way to really ensure adequate vitamin D is through simple supplementation. When supplementing, your choices will be between two forms of vitamin D. Ergocalciferol is the vegetarian form of vitamin D and cholecalciferol is the animal-sourced form, usually derived from fish liver oil or lanolin from sheep.

The cholecalciferol form is the most absorbable and utilized form for the body, but if you are vegan you should choose ergocalciferol. Quality is important. The carrier oil is organic, extra virgin olive oil and they come in small, soft gels that are very easy to swallow.

This product provides two of the most important nutrients for pregnant women backed by a long-standing, reliable company that guarantees optimum purity, quality and freshness.

Carol L. Wagner, Donna Johnson, Thomas C. Smith, Betty Bivens, Bruce W. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology June. Vitamin D and Pregnancy.