61: Vitamin D

Published: Nov. 13, 2016, 8:30 a.m.

Vitamin D plays a crucial role during your pregnancy. One of the most important things vitamin D does is help with the absorption of other important nutrients like calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphate, and zinc. The majority of expecting mothers are deficient in vitamin D. This increases your risk for preeclampsia, negative health outcomes for your child later in life, and may even increase your risk for a cesarean section. Your body gets vitamin D from exposure to sunlight, your diet, and supplements like your prenatal vitamin. Most prenatal vitamins contain far less vitamin D than research is showing is necessary for adequate levels required during pregnancy. Find out what the most current research says about vitamin D during pregnancy and how to make sure you have enough vitamin D to support you and your baby.