Vitamin D during pregnancy

Vitamin D is a nutrient that helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus, which are necessary for the formation of bones. It is also believed to support Your Child brain function. 

Due to its importance, you should make sure you get the recommended amounts of vitamin D during pregnancy for both your own well being and the healthy development of Your Child. However, pregnant and breast-feeding women who take more than 4,000 IU of vitamin D per day might experience nausea.

Why vitamin D during pregnancy?
Vitamin D is beneficial for your health; it plays an important role in immune function, healthy cell division, and bone health. Vitamin D is also necessary for the absorption and metabolism of calcium and phosphorus. 

It is further believed that Vitamin D helps the Your Child’s bone formation, supports immune system development, and allows Your Child’s brain to communicate with the rest of the body.

Can we rely on sunshine to get all the Vitamin D we need?
The body produces Vitamin D when exposed to direct sunlight. However, it may be difficult to rely on sunshine alone for the total Vitamin D requirements for you and Your Child, since being indoors, in the shade, or beneath a cloudy sky will reduce the amount of Vitamin D your body produces. Moreover, every pregnant mom should know that it is not a good idea to linger in the sun for extended periods of time. 

Good sources of Vitamin D:

• Sunshine: Getting your daily dose of sunshine is probably the best you can to increase your Vitamin D levels. Otherwise, it can be found in some cereals, eggs, juices, milk, and a few other products.
• Supplements: Just about all prenatal vitamins will usually contain about 400 IU worth of Vitamin D, which, when combined with the amount that your body will naturally produce and the ones you consumed from Vitamin D-rich foods, should result in reaching and surpassing your daily target of Vitamin D. For pregnant women, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) is 600 IU Vitamin D.