vitamin D in pregnancy - did you take it?

[wendym]

I've become interested in vitamin D after discovering that vitamin d supplementation is associated with a lower risk of developing diabetes. I've been told it is government policy for pregnant women in the north of England or Scotland to have a supplement. It isn't policy in the south as women here get enough from sunlight. Has anyone here taken vitamin D or even had it discussed with them?

I am interested partly because I am insulin resistant and it can develop into diabetes. No-one talked to me about it when I was pregnant.

wendym - No-one discussed it with me when I was pg either, but I was taking Pronatal vits anyway and I think they contain vit D.

In several European countries it is common practice (and often medically prescribed) to take ante natal supplement (which include vit D). In the UK only folic acid is recommended to my knowledge.

Wendym - I have a glucose intolerance & infact took a test at 10 weeks preg by my midwifes suggesion & sure enough I've developed diabetes in pregnancy quite early on this time round (1st time it happened at 28 weeks). But even with my history I was not advised to take vit D. I know that CERTAIN vitamins are best avoided while the baby is forming which is why if you do take a vit supplement you must take one that is specifcally for pregnant women. I took one that included the folic acid requirement as well as other vits & minerals. Sorry can't be further help except to say that diabetes in pregnancy is quite different to just normal every day diabetes so an unpregnant diabetic may benefit but a pregnant one would have to seek extra advice about medication.

Dixie, can't find the thread but you went for your 20 week scan a couple of days ago. How did it go?
Pronatal vits do contain a whopping 250% RDA of vitamin D, I checked my jar last night.

Marina, thanks for asking but it wasn't all good news...it's under the mums-to be-thread

Checked out the department of health website and can only find a reference to vitamin D being recommended for children and breastfeeding women. Also remembered where I saw the comment. It was a British Nutrition Federation report so maybe it was a recommendation but isn't now.

You do have to be careful with vitamin D supplements as it can cause kidney stones but its now being linked to a stronger immune system and to development of the gastro-intestinal system so perhaps more important than I realised when pregnant. For most of us oily fish is a good source but I didn't manage to eat the recommended amount.

wendym- I developed gestational diabetes almost immediately when I was pregnant and as a result was very closely monitered by my local hospital. I was interested to read about the supplement policy for Scotland, as I live in Scotland and have never heard of this and find it a bit strange as we in the north may not have as much direct sunlight but we get more daylight hours during the summer at least.
I managed to control the condition with diet alone and was amazed the hidden sugar content in processed food. It was an education