Taking a vitamin D supplement during pregnancy is only recommended when it is confirmed that the pregnant woman has very low levels of vitamin D, below 30ng/ml, through a specific blood test called 25(OH)D.
When a pregnant woman has a vitamin D deficiency, it is important to take supplements such as DePura or D fort because this reduces the risk of pre-eclampsia during pregnancy and can make the baby’s muscles stronger.
Risks of lack of vitamin D during pregnancy
Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy can cause problems such as gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia and premature birth, making it necessary to use vitamin D supplements in case of deficiency. Vitamin D can be found in foods such as fish and egg yolks, but its main source is production in the skin that is exposed to the sun’s rays.
Diseases such as obesity and lupus increase the risk of a lack of vitamin D, which is why greater care must be taken in these cases. Thus, a lack of vitamin D during pregnancy brings the following risks to the mother and baby:
It is also important to highlight that obese women pass on less vitamin D to the fetus, which increases the risk of problems for the baby. See what signs may indicate a lack of vitamin D.
Daily Vitamin D Recommendation
The daily vitamin D recommendation for pregnant women is 600 IU or 15 mcg/day. In general, this recommendation cannot be achieved just by eating foods rich in vitamin D, which is why pregnant women need to take the supplement recommended by their doctor and sunbathe for at least 15 minutes a day. However, women with dark or black skin need around 45 minutes to 1 hour of sunlight per day to have good vitamin D production.
Normally the recommended dose for pregnant women is 400 IU/day, in the form of capsules or drops.
Who may be deficient in vitamin D
All women can have a vitamin D deficiency, but those most at risk are those who are black, who have little exposure to the sun and who are vegetarians. Furthermore, some diseases favor the appearance of vitamin D deficiency, such as:
- Obesity;
- Lupus;
- Use of medications such as corticosteroids, anticonvulsants and HIV treatment;
- Hyperparathyroidism;
- Liver failure.
In addition to these diseases, not sunbathing daily, wearing clothes that cover the entire body and constantly using sunscreen are also factors that favor vitamin D deficiency.
