Vitamin D For Pregnant Women

Getting enough vitamin D during pregnancy is important for your baby's bones and teeth. Vitamin D may also help reduce the risk of pregnancy complications. Because vitamin D is naturally found in few foods, you may need to get this important nutrient by taking a prenatal vitamin or vitamin D supplement. Insufficient vitamin D during pregnancy could endanger your baby.

Description

The National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements, or the ODS, describes vitamin D as a nutrient needed for good health and strong bones. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, which is one of the building blocks of your baby's bones and teeth. Fatty fish -- such as salmon, tuna and mackerel -- are the best natural food sources of vitamin D. Most milk in the U.S. is fortified with vitamin D. Many breakfast cereals are also fortified with vitamin D, and it's added to some brands of orange juice and other foods. Additionally, your body makes vitamin D when your skin is directly exposed to the sun.

Importance

Vitamin D deficiencies during pregnancy can affect the development of your baby's bones, according to a Finnish study documented in the March 2011 edition of "Osteoporosis International." Insufficient vitamin D during pregnancy could cause your baby to develop rickets, a bone-softening childhood disease. Additionally, the Mayo Clinic website notes that vitamin D deficiencies could increase the risk of a pregnancy complication called pre-eclampsia, a condition that could lead to serious and even fatal complications for you and your baby. Vitamin D during pregnancy may also affect your baby's immunity, according to a report in the January, 2001 issue of the "Journal of Perinatology."

Requirements

Pregnant women and breastfeeding moms need 600 international units, or IU, of vitamin D daily, according to the ODS. One serving of salmon will give you 447 IU of vitamin D, and a glass of fortified milk provides about 120 IU. Prenatal vitamins contain between 200 IU and 400 IU of vitamin D, but you may need an additional vitamin D supplement during pregnancy, according to Howard Kurtz, M.D., a clinical instructor of ob-gyn at Mount Sinai Medical School in New York. Pregnant women may need more than the current daily recommended amount of 600 IU, notes a May 2010 article on the CNN website.

Tips

A blood test can determine your vitamin D status by measuring the amount circulating in your blood. If you're concerned about your vitamin D status, ask your ob-gyn about having the test. Vitamin D supplements are available in two forms: D2 and D3. Too much vitamin D can be harmful, however. The safe upper limit during pregnancy is 4,000 IU, according to the ODS. Talk to your doctor before taking vitamin D supplements. All supplements and medicines you take during pregnancy should be monitored by a health-care professional.