OBGYN College in UK still recommends only 400 IU during pregnancy – Jan 2012

RCOG Statement on vitamin D supplementation for pregnant women

By Royal College of OBGYN Jan 2012

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Note from Admin of VitaminDWiki

When asked, I said that the OBGYNs would be the last to acknowledge the need for more vitamin D because that is the medical group which has the most to lose.
I estimated that the world will need about 1/3 fewer OBGYN when enough vitamin D is given during pregnancy.

Amazing that the OBGYN group states that 400 IU should be considered only by the pregnant women who are at high risk
The research indicates that women who are not at high risk should get 6400 IU.
Those at high risk should get >> 6400 IU

Nice quote by Upton Sinclar
“It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary is dependent upon his not understanding it”

See also VitaminDWiki

IU Cumulative Benefit Blood level Co-factorsCalcium $*/year
400 Less Rickets (but not zero with 400 IU)
3X less adolescent Schizophrenia
Fewer child seizures
20-30 ng/ml Not needed No effect $3
2000 2X More likely to get pregnant naturally/IVF
2X Fewer dental problems with pregnancy
8X less diabetes
4X fewer C-sections (>37 ng)
4X less preeclampsia (40 ng vs 10 ng)
5X less child asthma
2X fewer language problems age 5
42 ng/ml Desirable < 750 mg $15
4000 2X fewer pregnancy complications
2X fewer pre-term births
49 ng/ml Must have
co-factors
< 750 mg $75
6000 Probable: larger benefits for above items
Perhaps prevent 2nd autistic child
   clinical trials underway
Just enough D for breastfed infant
Must have
co-factors
< 750 mg $85

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The RCOG welcomes the news today of the Chief Medical Officer’s announcement to healthcare professionals on the importance of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy and for breastfeeding women.

Current NICE guidance states clearly that pregnant women are informed, at their first antenatal booking, of the importance of adequate vitamin D during pregnancy and after, to maintain their own and their baby’s health. These women are advised to take 10 micrograms per day in the form of a multivitamin supplement.

It is crucial to ensure that at-risk women are aware of this need.
Those identified as at-risk include:

  • Women from black and ethnic minorities
  • Women who are socially-excluded
  • Women with limited exposure to sunlight, especially those who are housebound
  • Women who are obese (pre-pregnancy BMI > 30).


Healthcare professionals including GPs, midwives and health visitors must ensure that this public health message is transmitted to prevent vitamin D deficiency in women and children.

Dr Tony Falconer, RCOG President said, “We support the CMO’s public announcement today. It reinforces the need for proper diet and nutrition throughout a woman’s lifespan. As healthcare professionals, women trust us to provide them with good information and we must ensure they receive this in a timely manner. The same could be said for other public health messages such as good sexual and reproductive health and cancer screening.

“Some women have low stores of vitamin D and it is crucial for them to get their daily dose since it has been shown to be beneficial in bone health and prevents rickets. But this doesn’t just apply to the young; we mustn’t forget the older generation who are more prone to osteoporosis.”

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