Pregnancy Nutrition

Vitamin D Deficiency During Pregnancy

Relationship Between Vitamin-D and Pregnancy

Expecting mothers must have a daily intake of vitamin D for their own health as well as well-being and development of her child. Vitamin D is valuable as it helps in bone development, cell divisions and controls immune responses. It is also vital for absorbing and digestion of phosphorus and calcium.

What is Vitamin-D Deficiency and How Does it Affect Pregnancy?

As vitamin D is in very few food items, it is easy for a pregnant woman to suffer from its deficiency. During such times, a medical practitioner recommends daily supplements of ten micro grams to meet the requirements of a pregnant body so that a mother and her child remain healthy. It is important that an expectant mother is aware of importance of taking vitamin D in any form as lack of necessary vitamins can lead to adverse conditions and ill health of both mother and child.This fat-soluble vitamin is beneficial as it helps in maintaining overall health of a fetus.

Items that Can Avoid Deficiency of Vitamin D

Human body is capable of meeting its vitamin D demands by exposure to sun for at least twenty minutes daily, although what one eats and drinks has a direct impact on pregnancy. Certain food items that can help in meeting the demands of vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy are as follows:-

  • Tuna fish
  • Catfish
  • Mackerel
  • Salmon
  • Sardines
  • Milk
  • Margarine
  • Orange Juice
  • Cereals
  • Egg Yolk
  • Red Meat
  • Fortified Cereals
  • Oysters
  • Mushrooms
  • Cheese
  • Juice of Fresh Fruit

Results of Vitamin D Deficiency During Pregnancy

Following are some consequences of insufficient amount of vitamin D in a pregnancy:-

  • Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy can have a direct effect on weight of a newborn baby.
  • It can also cause skeletal deformities and can hinder the growth of fetus.
  • Lack of sufficient vitamin D during pregnancy may lead to lower amount of vitamin present in a baby after birth.
  • Absence of sufficient amounts of vitamin D has a direct effect on health of bones and teeth of an unborn child.
  • Fighting various infections also becomes an impossible chore and leads to other complications.
  • In most cases, insufficient contents of vitamin D results in an expecting mother needing C-section at the time of delivering a baby.

Low Vitamin D During Pregnancy maximizes risk of certain diseases like:-

  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Insulin resistance
  • Neurological disease
  • Autoimmune disease
  • Cancer
  • Pre-Eclampsia
  • Gestational diabetes
  • Congenital rickets

Recommended Link: What Foods And Fruits To Avoid During Pregnancy

Overdose of Vitamin D During Pregnancy

Too much Vitamin D during Pregnancy is not advisable by the doctors as they are not sure about the effects. However, in some cases, higher intake of vitamin D during pregnancy have resulted in babies with comparatively stronger muscles and with minimized chances of pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes.

Necessity of Excessive Vitamin D

In some cases, it is essential for higher doses of vitamin D and such cases are as follows:-

  • If a lady is of African origin or is from Middle Eastern and South Asian countries
  • If an expecting mother has a BMI of 30 or higher than it
  • If a person is not getting enough sunlight
  • Lack of well-balanced diet that includes sufficient amounts of vitamin D.

Disclaimer

This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

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Stephanie McClane About Author

Stephanie McClane is a mother of three and enjoys sharing the knowledge she gathered throughout her pregnancies. After approaching her last two pregnancies from a more holistic prespective and having two natural births, she was inspired to share her experiences with other moms-to-be.