Vitamin C is vital during pregnancy, but too much can cause problems. There is a big gap between the recommended level of vitamin C and the tolerable upper limit, however, so many women remain unsure of how much vitamin C they can safely take. In general, keeping your intake close to the levels recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans is a good idea. Moderately higher doses might still be safe for you and your baby, but they could cause unpleasant side effects you will want to avoid.
Vitamin C in Pregnancy
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that helps build bones, skin, cartilage and tendons in a developing fetus. Vitamin C also helps keep the mother's immune system strong and contributes to tissue repair, healthy skin and wound healing. Deficiencies during pregnancy have been linked to poor mental development in animals. Vitamin C also helps the body absorb iron, an important mineral in the development of blood cells. Vitamin C may also reduce the risk of premature rupture of the membranes.
Dangers of High Doses
The dangers of high doses of vitamin C during pregnancy have not been sufficiently studied for scientists to know exactly what problems too much of this nutrient might cause. Taking excess vitamin C could result in preterm birth, although more evidence is needed. In rare cases, mothers who have taken vitamin C supplements during pregnancy delivered babies who soon developed scurvy, a severe vitamin C deficiency. This occurs due to the sudden drop in vitamin C supply after birth.
Recommended Amounts
Pregnant women over 18 should get a minimum of 85 mg of vitamin C each day, and pregnant teens need 80 mg per day. The total amount can be spread out over the week as long as you average more than the minimum amount per day. Food doses up to 120 mg per day are considered completely safe, according to MedlinePlus. Doses over 2,000 mg a day are considered potentially unsafe in both pregnant and nonpregnant women, and pregnant teens should limit consumption to below 1,800 mg per day.
Moderately High Doses
While doses of vitamin C above 120 mg per day but still below 2,000 mg per day might not impact your developing baby, doses within this range are more likely to cause side effects than doses between 85 and 120 mg per day. Common side effects encountered within this dosage range include nausea, heartburn and vomiting. Most pregnant women encounter some of these problems during pregnancy anyway and probably don't want to increase their incidence. Getting your vitamin C from food sources is the best way to ensure that you are getting sufficient levels of the vitamin without overdoing it. Supplements could raise your vitamin C levels higher than you need them.
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