New Study: Vitamin D cuts preterm birth by 50% & reduces other complications! - Page 2

[nia82]

Ok, now that my DD is born I can say I truly believe that the large amounts of vitamin D kept me and her healthy. No preterm labor, no elevated blood pressure, nothing weird. I made it to 39 weeks! :D

I took 5000 IU (NOW brand), then another 1000 in my prenatal (New Chapter) and another 400 in my Calcium pill - so a total of 6400IU daily in my pregnancy - and 5 months of my pregnancy were in Wyoming winter, aka  no sun (it might have been more D, my fishoil might have some too). I strongly believe the supplements contributed to a successful pregnancy. I wanted to add that New Chapter is to me the best prenatal - it has vitamin A as betacarotene only (safer), and folate only (no folic acid). It is truly worth it's money!

[herbsgirl]

Thanks for the testemonail!!

I want to add some more information to this thread from a quote I found online from a midwife about Vitamin D3

Quote from   http://womantowomancbe.wordpress.com/2009/04/25/vitamin-d-and-c-sections/ 

I have written extensively on this topic and in my own empirical experience I have seen a huge difference in the labors of women who supplemented with Calcium and Vit D versus the women who did not (mostly because we didn’t know how important it was all these years). Labors are shorter, the uterus contracts more efficiently and pain seems to be greatly reduced. I absolutely believe the 8000iu of D and the 1500mg Calcium/Magnesium I ask my clients to take makes all the difference in the world. 8000iu is *enormously* more than the suggested 400iu per day (there are no RDAs for Vit D; that’s how little is known about Vit D today), but most researchers say that 400iu per day is a ridiculous amount, almost worthless.

Of course, ask your provider. Don’t just let them tell you the standard answers they learned in medical school, either. There is so much more information out now… YOU research and take it to him/her. The more you learn, the better your birth can be
 

Edited by herbsgirl - 5/8/11 at 6:34pm

[crazykittymomma]

My midwife has me doing 10,000 IUs of D3 mainly for my allergies, but I'm very happy that it seems so beneficial!

[LLtheTinkerbell]

i may be a little green but what's the difference between D3 and just plain D?

[SuburbanHippie]

Originally Posted by LLtheTinkerbell 

i may be a little green but what's the difference between D3 and just plain D?

There is no such thing as "D."  It's either D2 or D3.  D2 is much less efficient than D3 (study link). 

I've been taking 10,000 IUs mostly every day for about 2 years now and I still ended up with gestational diabetes.  Some gals have all the luck.  Unfortunately, I am not one of them.  LOL.

[Mamatoabunch]

I live in very sunny NM and still had seasonal depression. I also had depressive issues my two previous pregnancies. I started taking 5000mg D3, winter '09-'10. I felt enormously better and continued through this pregnancy. I felt much more stable emotionally. I continue to take that amount now. I also wanted to comment on the calcium. I have taken calcium in the third trimester w/ my last few pregnancies for leg cramps and found those labor and deliveries all quick and easy. I take calcium in labor as well.

[herbsgirl]

Mamatoabunch,

how much calcium do you take in Labor?

[Mamatoabunch]

Originally Posted by herbsgirl 

Mamatoabunch,

how much calcium do you take in Labor?

A 1000mg every hour. I have quick labors and I have found it is important to have been taking it for weeks prior to delivery.

[LiLStar]

Interesting to hear about the calcium! Kick in the pants to go get a bottle. I took cal/mag the last few weeks of my first pregnancy because my BP was going up and my midwife recommended that to lower it (worked! no high readings at all once I started it!) my 2nd pregnancy I thought it might be prudent to supplement calcium because after that first pregnancy, I needed SO many fillings, plus a crown, it was RIDICULOUS so I figured a calcium supp couldn't hurt might help? Sounds like one more reason to start taking it again this time. I've been taking 10,000 iu vit d/day since a few months before getting pregnant, because I was tested and came up low. can't remember the number,.. 20 or something? I've been MAJOR SLACKING on all my vits the last couple months due to the lovely first trimester. pills dont go down well :( But, now I'm better and my only excuse is that the habit was broken! Fun to read all those other benefits to vit d. Made me run to the kitchen and take the first dose I've had in a while. I remember to give it to my kids every day (well, they make sure i don't forget, its the rainbow light 1000iu lemon chewies! they love 'em!) so I need to remember for myself.

[Smokering]

Hmm. I theoretically take calcium - a cal/mag powder - but when I mix it with juice it tastes VILE, chalky and unpleasant, so I haven't actually taken more than about three doses. I did buy some magnesium capsules, and take those. Does calcium come in pills, or some less repellent form than the powder?

If I got DH to keep setting the timer for every hour during labour, it might be a good reminder for me to take a calcium pill, drink some water and go to the toilet. I didn't drink enough with my last labour and ended up with an IV.

[Mamatoabunch]

Originally Posted by Smokering 

Hmm. I theoretically take calcium - a cal/mag powder - but when I mix it with juice it tastes VILE, chalky and unpleasant, so I haven't actually taken more than about three doses. I did buy some magnesium capsules, and take those. Does calcium come in pills, or some less repellent form than the powder?

If I got DH to keep setting the timer for every hour during labour, it might be a good reminder for me to take a calcium pill, drink some water and go to the toilet. I didn't drink enough with my last labour and ended up with an IV.

Yes, I take capsules. They are smooth and go down easily. Mine has mag as well. My dh has a list, on it is to remind to pee every hour and offer me water.

[HappyMommy2]

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