Vitamin D
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NHS guidelines recommend that all pregnant women should take a daily vitamin D supplement between September and March.
What is it?
Vitamin D is needed for your body to absorb the calcium from your food. Vitamin D deficiency (when levels are too low) can cause your bones to weaken and break more easily.
Vitamin D is found naturally in in oily fish, cod liver oil, red meat, liver, egg yolks, and is added to foods such as margarine and breakfast cereal. Vitamin D is produced in the body from sunlight on the skin. It is also present in some vitamin supplements.
Benefits
What are the benefits of taking vitamin D in pregnancy?
Vitamin D is safe during pregnancy and is needed for your health and your baby’s development. NHS guidelines recommend that all pregnant women take a daily vitamin D supplement between September and March (when it is not possible to get enough vitamin D from the sun in the UK).
If you are diagnosed with a vitamin D deficiency through a blood test, it is important to replace the vitamin D in your body. Your doctor might prescribe high strength vitamin D to make sure that your vitamin D levels get back to normal as quickly as possible.
Risks
Are there any risks of taking vitamin D in pregnancy?
No. It is important that you have enough vitamin D in pregnancy to stay healthy and so that your baby develops normally.
Alternatives
Are there any alternatives to taking vitamin D in pregnancy?
In the summer months (April to August) it might be possible to get enough vitamin D from sun exposure during your normal outdoor activities. You should still use sunscreen to prevent sunburn. Some women might still need to take a vitamin D supplement in the summer (for example, those with darker skin pigmentation or who cover exposed skin for religious or cultural reasons). In the winter months, all pregnant women should take a vitamin D supplement.
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What if I don’t want to take vitamin D during pregnancy?
If you are unlikely to get enough vitamin D from sun exposure, it is important to take a supplement during pregnancy to stay healthy and ensure your baby develops normally.
Will my baby need extra monitoring during pregnancy?
As part of their routine antenatal care, most women will be offered a scan at around 20 weeks of pregnancy to look for birth defects and to check the baby’s growth.
Taking vitamin D supplements in pregnancy at the recommended doses will not cause any problems that would require extra monitoring.
Are there any risks to my baby if the father has taken vitamin D?
We do not expect any increased risk to your baby if the father took vitamin D before or around the time you became pregnant.
Who can I talk to if I have questions?
If you have any questions regarding the information in this leaflet, please discuss them with your healthcare provider. They can access more detailed medical and scientific information from www.uktis.org.