Useful and potentially harmful supplements in pregnancy

Vitamin A in Pregnancy:

This fat-soluble vitamin is essential for good vision. The commonest problem associated with Vitamin A deficiency is Night Blindness. Deficiency in modern times is very rare and it is difficult to justify supplements of this Vitamin during pregnancy. Moreover, high doses of Retinol which is the form of Vitamin A found in animal sources (liver, cod liver oil etc) are known to be harmful to the baby especially if consumed in the early weeks of pregnancy. Birth defects could result. The plant-sourced Vitamin A (beta-carotene) is safe.

Vitamin D in Pregnancy:

Adequate intake of Vitamin D in pregnancy is essential for the future well-being of the child. Vitamin D is manufactured in the skin when exposed to sunlight. There is a recognised problem of Vitamin D deficiency among women who are rarely exposed to the sun and those who dress by covering practically the whole body.

The recommended Vitamin D supplement intake is 10 mcg (400IU). However, it is increasingly evident that this may be inadequate during pregnancy especially for those women who do not get the vitamin from the natural sources.

Deficiency of Vitamin D during pregnancy means the baby is born with poorly mineralised bones and in severe cases could result in rickets.

The poor bone mineral density that result from Vitamin D deficiency puts the children on the road to possible development of osteoporosis and bone fracture risk later in life.

There is also emerging credible evidence that deficiency of Vitamin D during pregnancy might increase the risk of pre-eclampsia, one of the most serious pregnancy complications.

This is on top of research findings which have associated Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy to increased risk of development of diabetes for the child. There is also evidence that the deficiency may increase risk of developing Multiple Sclerosis.

All in all, Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy is clearly beneficial and something to be encouraged. Of-course, for those who can get adequate exposure to sunlight; that is the best and most reliable source of Vitamin D. However, sometime this is impractical especially in temperate countries of the North during bleak winter months.

Vitamin E in Pregnancy:

It was suggested at one point that Vitamin E supplements might help prevent miscarriage and pre-eclampsia and low birth weight. This remained unproven. More recent studies show that high intake of Vitamin E during pregnancy actually increases risk of stillbirth. Overall, the advice now is that Vitamin E supplementation should be avoided during pregnancy.

Next Page: Vitamin K, E and B1

Exposure to the sun is an excellent natural source of Vitamin D. Just make sure that it is done in moderation