--- title: Recommended Vitamin D Dose During Pregnancy description: Are you taking a vitamin D supplement during your pregnancy? Here’s why it’s important, the risks associated with a deficiency, and how much you can take. image: https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/vfp-og-recommended-vitamin-dose-1200x630.jpg --- - [BLOG](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com) - [CONTACT US](https://www.vfppharmacygroup.com/contact-us/) [![vfp-by-evernorth-logo](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/vfp-by-evernorth-logo.png?width=300&height=70&name=vfp-by-evernorth-logo.png) ![vfp-by-evernorth-logo](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/vfp-by-evernorth-logo.png?width=300&height=70&name=vfp-by-evernorth-logo.png)](https://www.vfppharmacygroup.com/) [![vfp-by-evernorth-logo](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/vfp-by-evernorth-logo.png?width=150&height=35&name=vfp-by-evernorth-logo.png)](https://www.vfppharmacygroup.com/) - [For Patients](https://www.vfppharmacygroup.com/patients/) - [For Providers](https://www.vfppharmacygroup.com/providers/) - [Pricing and Financing](https://www.vfppharmacygroup.com/pricing-and-financing/) - [Education](https://www.vfppharmacygroup.com/education/) - [About Us](https://www.vfppharmacygroup.com/about-us/) - [BLOG](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com) - [CONTACT US](https://www.vfppharmacygroup.com/contact-us/) - [For Patients](https://www.vfppharmacygroup.com/patients/) - [For Providers](https://www.vfppharmacygroup.com/providers/) - [Pricing and Financing](https://www.vfppharmacygroup.com/pricing-and-financing/) - [Education](https://www.vfppharmacygroup.com/education/) - [About Us](https://www.vfppharmacygroup.com/about-us/) - [BLOG](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com) - [CONTACT US](https://www.vfppharmacygroup.com/contact-us/) **Browse All Categories** - [Fertility Medications](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/fertility-medications) - [Fertility](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/fertility) - [Fertility Prescriptions](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/fertility-prescriptions) - [Fertility Specialty Pharmacy](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/fertility-specialty-pharmacy) - [Fertility Pharmacy](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/fertility-pharmacy) - [Supplements](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/supplements) - [Vitamins](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/vitamins) - [Oncofertility](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/oncofertility) - [Pharmacy Team](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/pharmacy-team) - [Affordability](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/affordability) - [Common Questions](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/common-questions) - [Vitamin D](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/vitamin-d) - [Exercise](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/exercise) - [Finance Options](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/finance-options) - [Gonadotropins](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/gonadotropins) - [Insurance](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/insurance) - [Calcium](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/calcium) - [Clomiphene Citrate](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/clomiphene-citrate) - [Cost](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/cost) - [Fertility Preservation](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/fertility-preservation) - [Fertility Supplements](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/fertility-supplements) - [GnRH](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/gnrh) - [Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone analogues](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/gonadotropin-releasing-hormone-analogues) - [Holiday Travel](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/holiday-travel) - [Infertility Awareness](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/infertility-awareness) - [Iron](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/iron) - [Letrozole](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/letrozole) - [Magnesium](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/magnesium) - [Pregnyl](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/pregnyl) - [Progesterone](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/progesterone) - [Self-Care](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/self-care) - [Stress](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/stress) - [Third Party Reproduction](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/third-party-reproduction) - [Vitamin B](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/vitamin-b) June 15, 2023 [Vitamins](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/vitamins), [Vitamin D](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/vitamin-d), [Supplements](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/tag/supplements) # Recommended Vitamin D Dose During Pregnancy ![](https://blog.vfppharmacygroup.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/vfp-og-recommended-vitamin-dose-1200x630.jpg) The more we learn about how vitamin D works in the body, the more we realize how vital it is in our everyday lives. Vitamin D plays a role in so many bodily functions, but it’s not always immediately apparent. If it’s important on a regular basis, it’s even more vital during pregnancy, when your body is working harder than ever. Vitamin D is an essential part of a pregnant woman's diet for a number of reasons. In fact, it plays a role in the development and growth of [both mother and baby during pregnancy](https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-health-wellness/vitamin-d-and-pregnancy/), in addition to helping regulate hormones. But how much is a reasonable vitamin D dose during pregnancy?  Here’s how vitamin D impacts you during pregnancy, as well as its impact on fetal development—and what the recommended dose is. ## Three Major Benefits of Vitamin D During Pregnancy ### 1. Improved fetal growth and bone development While vitamin D is often thought of in association with the sun and overall mood, this vitamin plays a major part in bone density and development. This is because vitamin D helps the body absorb and use calcium—a building block of strong bones. These two are so intricately linked that the body cannot absorb calcium if there is no vitamin D present. Furthermore, vitamin D helps with cell growth and differentiation throughout the body, which can be important for proper development and healthy cells. Without sufficient vitamin D in the mother's diet, the fetus is at risk for weakened bones and poor growth.  ### 2. Reduced risk for preterm birth and low birth weight Adequate levels of vitamin D during pregnancy have also been [linked to the reduced risk](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4959630/) of premature birth and low birth weight babies. Because of the role vitamin D plays in hormone regulation, sufficient levels of the vitamin can help support a full-term pregnancy.  ### 3. Improved maternal health and well-being Vitamin D has also shown that it can improve maternal health and overall well-being. Studies have identified that pregnant women with adequate vitamin D levels were [less likely to suffer](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7532825/) from depression and anxiety, particularly postpartum depression.  Vitamin D is also important for helping the body absorb nutrients from food, particularly during pregnancy when the body is already quite taxed.  Additionally, vitamin D deficiency has also been [linked to preeclampsia](https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-health-wellness/vitamin-d-and-pregnancy/#:~:text=Deficiency%20with%20vitamin%20D%20is%20also%20related%20to%20preeclampsia.), which can be deadly if not properly treated. Preeclampsia is often diagnosed when high blood pressure is reported and/or too much protein is found in the pregnant woman’s urine. Be sure to read up on the [signs and symptoms of preeclampsia](https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-complications/preeclampsia/) so you can monitor your conditions between appointments.  ## Vitamin D Dose During Pregnancy Generally speaking, the recommended dose of vitamin D during pregnancy is around 600 IU per day. However, some say you can take [up to 4,000 IU daily](https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-health-wellness/vitamin-d-and-pregnancy/#:~:text=4%2C000%20IU%20of%20vitamin%20D%20daily%20had%20the%20greatest%20benefits%20in%20preventing%20preterm%20labor/births%20and%20infections.). Note that vitamin D comes in varying doses, so be careful when making your selection. However, each person is different, and people who live in warm, sunny climates may have higher vitamin D levels than those in colder climates. Your prenatal vitamin almost certainly contains vitamin D, but it may not be enough for you. Always check with your physician before taking a supplement—especially during pregnancy.  ## Still Have Questions? Our patients are always welcome to [contact us](https://www.vfppharmacygroup.com/contact-us/) to ask questions. 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