As we know, Vitamin D is produced in our body during exposure to sunlight. It is a vitamin that is also found in foods such as fish oil, cereal, eggs yolk and in some fortified foods.
Vitamin D plays an important role in bone metabolism through regulations of calcium-phosphate equilibrium. Its deficiency is found to be common in pregnant women and has been associated with an increase risk of pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, pre-term birth, giving birth to babies with low birth weights, risk of post-partum hemorrhage and other tissue specific conditions.
Thus, Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy improves maternal Vitamin D level and may reduce the risk of the conditions mentioned above.
Women are at more risk of contracting the coronavirus during pregnancy throughout all three trimesters. However, they are most vulnerable during the third trimester as there are higher chances of blood clot formation due to the high viscosity of blood in vessels.
Vitamin D helps to soothe blood circulation, thus decreasing the chances of thrombus formation. Ultimately, it helps to boost the immune system, which definitely supports pregnant women’s bodies in combating infection from COVID-19.
Dr. Deepmala Karki is working as an Obstetrician & Gynecologist at Everest hospital.
