All pregnant women should take a 10 microgram (or 400 IU) supplement of vitamin D each day. This will give your baby enough vitamin d for the first few months of life. This guidance is strongly recommended through autumn and winter and advised in spring and summer.

For routine supplementation, current guidance recommends 10mcg (400units) daily in all pregnant women and most antenatal vitamins contain this dose of vitamin D. Guidance suggests that specialist advice should be sought if vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy (1,2,3).

A recent study found women taking 4,000 IU of vitamin D daily had the greatest benefits in preventing preterm labor/births and infections. The study confirmed vitamin D at this level is not only safe for you, but for your baby, and the researchers from this study now recommend this daily dosage of vitamin D for all pregnant women.

According to the US National Institutes of Health, all pregnant women should be supplemented with 600 IU/day of vitamin D3. However, whether pregnant or not, one should not take supplements without consulting their healthcare expert. During pregnancy, your doctor might check your vitamin D levels first and then add supplements accordingly.