Dr Larisa Corda Obstetrician and Gynaecologist shares her expert thoughts here on the role of vitamin D in pregnancy
Vitamin D is a steroid vitamin from a group of fat-soluble prohormones. There is no doubt that it’s important in pregnancy and expecting mothers need to make sure they get the recommended amounts of vitamin D during pregnancy for both their own well-being and the healthy development of their baby.
Research has demonstrated it to be safe and effective for both mother and baby and as most of us are vitamin D deficient, daily dosages are recommended. The average prenatal supplement contains 400 units of this, but it is recommended that women who are at particularly high risk should take at least 100 units per day. Women who are more at risk of pre-eclampsia, such as those who are older, obese, have hypertension or have suffered from previous pre-eclampsia, those carrying twins, those with a history of diabetes, or those who conceived via IVF (in particular with donor eggs) should take a recommended dose of 800 units per day as per the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG).
