Vitamin D plays an important part in our day-to-day health and unfortunately studies show that over 40% of people in the US are deficient in Vitamin D levels. Vitamin D deficiency is linked to numerous chronic health conditions. In simple terms, Vitamin D is a hormone that is synthesized from sunlight. Modern life keeps us indoors, reducing the sun exposure needed to maintain healthy Vitamin D levels. It’s no surprise that deficiency is so common, often significantly so.
Specifically as it relates to fertility and pregnancy low levels of Vitamin D can cause difficulties in conceiving and difficulties during pregnancy and create less than optimal conditions for mom and baby.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found that women deficient in Vitamin D are half as likely to conceive as compared to women without Vitamin D deficiency.
Said another way, the study found that women with sufficient levels of Vitamin D were almost twice as likely to conceive, compared with the women who exhibited insufficient levels of Vitamin D.
The researchers hypothesize that this improved fertility rate among the women with sufficient levels of this important hormone could be due to the improved levels of Vitamin D allowing for the production of better quality eggs in the ovaries. Higher quality eggs improve the chances of fertilization and improved chances of embryos implanting successfully in the uterus.
For this reason, Vitamin D supplementation is one of the easiest and most impactful health improvements a woman can make when trying to get pregnant.
During pregnancy, maintaining adequate Vitamin D levels is especially important for both maternal health and fetal development. When Vitamin D levels are severely low, the body cannot maintain proper calcium levels in the blood, which are essential for building your baby’s developing bones and supporting your own skeletal health. This deficiency can increase the risk of conditions such as rickets in infants and osteomalacia in mothers.
Beyond bone health, Vitamin D plays a broader role in supporting the immune system and overall wellness. Low levels during pregnancy have been associated with reduced ability to fight infections, as well as symptoms like muscle weakness and fatigue. Emerging research also suggests potential links between Vitamin D deficiency and conditions such as gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and mood changes.
Whether you're trying to conceive or currently pregnant, ensuring you have optimum Vitamin D levels is an important, but easy, way to set yourself up for better health outcomes. If you'd like to take control of your Vitamin D levels shop Happy Stork Vitamin D, formulated with 10,000 iu (the daily amount shown to have the best impact on fertility outcomes) and K2 to help direct calcium absorption. Pregnant women should consult their doctor before adding any supplements to their routine.
