Can Vitamin D Decrease Labor Pains?

According to a new study done by the American Society of Anesthesiologists, women with low levels of vitamin D had more painful labors. The study researched 93 women during childbirth. All the women in the study requested an epidural. The women in the study that had a vitamin D deficiency prior to delivery consumed higher levels of pain medication while they were pushing.

The author of the study Andrew Geller M.D. speculates that prevention and treatment of low vitamin D levels may decrease labor pains in millions of women each year. So, how does it work? The body has a natural ability to suppress discomfort and pain. The findings from the study suggest that vitamin D helps activate those pain-suppressing pathways.

Sadly, it is not uncommon for women to be vitamin D deficient. In fact, 82 percent of pregnant women have lower than normal vitamin D levels. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says that vegetarians and those with limited sun exposure were at the greatest risk of vitamin D deficiency. Want to increase your vitamin D levels? The following suggestions will helps you boost your vitamin D level while you are pregnant.

Sunshine

Known as the sunshine vitamin, Vitamin D is nearly impossible to get through diet alone. Experts suggest getting 20 minutes of unfiltered sunlight daily to increase vitamin D levels.

Milk

Fortified breakfast cereal with fortified milk is an ideal way to consume some vitamin D.

Cows milk has roughly 100 IUs of Vitamin D per 8 ounce glass. A fortified cereal has roughly 100 IUs of vitamin D per cup.

Cod Liver Oil

One tablespoon of cod liver oil has an astounding 1,300 IUs of Vitamin D. If you don’t want to drink cod liver oil consider taking it in capsule form.