Getting enough of the right nutrients during pregnancy is essential for you and your baby’s health. A key nutrient to remember is vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin. Taking vitamin D in pregnancy can improve the mother’s vitamin D status and reduce the risk of preeclampsia, low birth weight, and preterm birth. Let us learn some pregnancy tips for including vitamin D in your pregnancy guide.

Role of Vitamin D During Pregnancy

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin obtained mainly through the consumption of milk or fortified juice, fish oil, and dietary supplements. It is also produced endogenously in the skin when exposed to sunlight.

If you are pregnant and your body is deficient in vitamin D, you have to supplement it as soon as possible. A lack of vitamin D can cause your bones to become painful or weak. Also, this does not strengthen the baby’s bones. Vitamin D deficiency also affects the baby’s weight.

Severe maternal vitamin D deficiency in the pregnancy phase is associated with impaired skeletal homeostasis, congenital rickets, and biochemical evidence of neonatal fractures.

Read also: List of Most Important Vitamins During Pregnancy

Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency or lack of vitamin D in pregnancy can cause a variety of signs and symptoms, including:

  • Feeling tired
  • Joint pain
  • Depression
  • Muscle tension
  • Weakness
  • Thin hair

These can also be normal pregnancy symptoms, so it’s always best to contact your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.

Benefits of Vitamin D During Pregnancy

Here are the benefits or roles of vitamin D in pregnancy:

  • Taking vitamin D in the pregnancy phase strengthens your immune system.
  • It maintains healthy and strong muscles, teeth, and bones.
  • If your body lacks vitamin D, your blood sugar will rise, increasing your risk of diabetes.
  • It reduces the risk of preeclampsia or high blood pressure by including vitamin D-rich products in your pregnancy diet.
  • Your baby will develop well if there is a balance of vitamin D in the body.
  • It reduces the risk of premature birth
  • Eating adequate amounts of foods rich in vitamin D can significantly reduce the risk of C-section.

How to Get Vitamin D?

A rich source of vitamin D is sunlight. You need ten micrograms of vitamin D a day. Vitamin D can also be obtained through your tailored pregnancy diet. Such as,

  • Milk
  • Cheese
  • Yoghurt
  • Fatty fish such as salmon or tuna
  • Egg yolk
  • Cereals
  • Orange juice

You can also take vitamin D supplements as recommended by your doctor. Most prenatal vitamins contain only 400 IU (10 mcg) of vitamin D, so you may need to take a vitamin D supplement during pregnancy. And even if you choose fortified foods, it’s difficult to get enough vitamin D from a pregnancy diet.

Wrapping up,

Vitamin D is an important nutrient during pregnancy, so it’s important to get enough of this sunshine vitamin by consuming prenatal products that contain about 600 IU of vitamin D and taking supplements if recommended by your doctor. Whether your doctor recommends you take a supplement or not, include food sources of vitamin D in your pregnancy diet regularly.

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