We know that Vitamin D is important for strong bones and healthy immune systems. In Northern countries like Canada, Vitamin D supplementation is widespread as awareness grows about its crucial role. What is less known, however, is the importance of adequate Vitamin D stores during pregnancy.
A newborn’s Vitamin D stores depends on the vitamin levels of Mom, so being Vitamin D deficient in your pregnancy will have a significant impact on the Vitamin D status of your baby.
Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy is associated with higher rates of gestational diabetes, low birth-weight babies and poorer bone density in infants. Long-term studies have also shown that a higher maternal intake of Vitamin D may decrease the risk of recurrent wheeze and asthma in early childhood. It is truly amazing to consider the role each prenatal micronutrient plays in the development of a healthy child.
So how can you ensure you are getting enough Vitamin D in pregnancy? Here are some tips:
- Sunlight exposure does wonders for you Vitamin D status – get outside for a walk, eat your lunch outside at a park, whatever works for you! Just 10 minutes of sunlight a day will greatly increase your Vitamin D absorption.
- If you are living in a Northern climate, have a darker skin tone, and/or are pregnant through the winter months, you will likely need to increase your Vitamin D intake beyond standard RDA amounts (600IU per day).
- The upper limit of Vitamin D that has a demonstrated safety record in pregnancy is 4,000 IU per day. Many prenatal vitamins do not even meet the minimum RDA of 600IU, so consider supplementing with a liquid Vitamin D to get the stores you need in your pregnancy.
I hope you have found this helpful, and do let me know if you have any questions!
If you are hungry for more evidence-based information in your pregnancy, sign up for my free webinar: 7 Pregnancy Myths Debunked – and get the information you need to have a healthy pregnancy and a thriving baby.
And if you are a care-provider looking for evidence-based resources for your pregnant patients, please get in touch with us at support@myhealthypregnancyplan.com.
In health,
Dr Jocelyn Land-Murphy, ND
Terra Life
Disclaimer: The information and content provided is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not professional medical advice, nor is it intended to be a substitute therefore. Please consult the Disclaimer and Terms of Use for full details.
References:
Bountouvi, e. et al. (2107). Can Getting Enough Vitamin D during Pregnancy Reduce the Risk of Getting Asthma in Childhood? Frontiers in Pediatrics, 5: 87.
Camargo, C. et al. (2007). Maternal intake of vitamin D during pregnancy and risk of recurrent wheeze in children at 3 y of age. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 85(3): 788-795.
Hollis, B. (2011). Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy: double-blind, randomized clinical trial of safety and effectiveness. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 26(12).
Holmes, V. (2009). Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in pregnant women: a longitudinal study. British Journal of Nutrition, 102: 876-881.
National Institute of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. (n.d.) Dietary Supplement Professional Fact Sheet. Retrieved from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/list-all/