Good nutrition is vital during pregnancy, as deficiencies may cause pregnancy complications and harm the fetus. However, taking excessive amounts of certain nutrients may also be dangerous for both mother and baby. Expectant mothers are therefore advised to take only one daily prenatal multivitamin that provides the recommended amounts of all the essential nutrients for a healthy pregnancy -- rather than taking supplements that provide high amounts of just one vitamin, such as vitamin C or D.
Vitamin C and Pregnancy
It is safe to take vitamin C during pregnancy in the amounts contained in a daily prenatal vitamin, which should be about 70 mg. At most, you may safely take the recommended daily amount of vitamin C, 120 mg, via a supplement while pregnant, according to MedlinePlus. Taking too much synthetic vitamin C -- vitamin C supplements -- while pregnant could harm your baby. According to Melinda Johnson, M.S. R.D., taking megadoses of vitamin C during pregnancy may increase risk for pre-term birth and infantile scurvy. The safest way to get vitamin C during pregnancy is through foods, not supplements.
Vitamin D and Pregnancy
Vitamin D is an important nutrient for pregnant women. Not getting enough vitamin D during pregnancy may negatively affect the growth and birth weight of your baby, and it may also cause fetal skeletal deformities, pregnancy complications and increased risk of needing a C-section, according to BabyCenter. There exists some debate as to how much vitamin D pregnant women need. In November 2010, the Institute of Medicine upwardly revised its Recommended Dietary Allowance of vitamin D for pregnant women from 200 IU to 600 IU. However, some experts, including Bruce Hollis, professor of pediatrics at the Medical University of South Carolina, recommend pregnant women take 4,000 IU of vitamin D daily. According to MedlinePlus, supplemental doses of vitamin D during pregnancy should not exceed the 4,000 IU as higher doses may cause serious harm to the infant.
Prenatal Vitamins
Although taking vitamins is no substitute for a healthy diet, most pregnant women need to take a daily prenatal vitamin to ensure they get sufficient amounts of important vitamins and minerals during pregnancy. Besides vitamin D, other crucial nutrients for pregnant women contained in prenatal vitamins include folic acid, iron and calcium. According to the American Pregnancy Association, the only dietary supplement expectant mothers should take, unless instructed otherwise by a physician, is a daily prenatal multivitamin. Taking additional supplements, such as a vitamin C or vitamin D supplement, in addition to a multivitamin, increases your risk for overdosing on that nutrient and causing harm to your baby. Since not all prenatal vitamins are the same, it's important to get a recommendation from your doctor before choosing a multivitamin to take during pregnancy, recommends Cleveland Clinic.
Foods
While there is always some risk when taking synthetic vitamins contained in dietary supplements, the same risks do not exist with foods. If you're pregnant and worried about your vitamin C or vitamin D status, you can safely eat foods containing these vitamins. Some vitamin C-rich foods include orange juice, kiwis, red peppers and strawberries. Leafy green vegetables like spinach also provide vitamin C, as well as folic acid and iron which are needed by expectant mothers. Good food sources of vitamin D include fatty fish, fortified milk and fortified cereals. You can also get vitamin D from spending some time outdoors. According to MedlinePlus, getting just six days of casual sunlight exposure without sunscreen can restore adequate vitamin D levels after 49 days with no sunlight exposure.
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