Is Vitamin A Toxic During Pregnancy?

We all look forward to the day we can look into our baby’s eyes! Vitamin A is the secret sauce that contributes to the normal development of those beautiful organs⁹, as well as air sacs in your baby’s lungs².

Vitamin A also supports both your and your baby’s immune system throughout pregnancy¹. Hence, if you don’t supply enough Vitamin A to your baby, it may become more susceptible to infection and illness after birth⁶.

How Much Do I Need?

As all good things, moderation is key to maintaining a strong and healthy body. The same goes for Vitamin A! Too much can harm your developing baby and lead to birth defects¹, and too little carries health risks to you and your baby³.

The recommended amount of Vitamin A that you need during pregnancy is slightly higher than normal, at 700 mcg per day⁷. Once you start breastfeeding, your needs will increase further, to 1,300 mcg per day⁷.

Vitamin A is available in two forms:

•   Retinol — found in high levels in some meat and fish products, and in safe levels in eggs and dairy foods such as cheese, fortified spreads and yoghurt¹

•   Beta-carotene — a substance in orange fruit and vegetables, such as carrots, oranges, sweet potatoes and apricots, that the body can convert into vitamin A¹

Since Vitamin A is prevalent in dairy foods and some fruits and vegetables, we can get all the Vitamin A we need from a well-balanced diet! During pregnancy, however, steer clear of foods that are too rich in Vitamin A, such as liver and liver pâté, as well as non-pregnancy supplements like cod liver oil, to keep your baby safe from harmful consequences.

What’s Next?

Maintain a healthy intake of Vitamin A! Tips include:

•   Avoiding supplements that contain Vitamin A

•   Avoiding liver or liver products like pâté

•   Including plenty of orange-coloured fruit and vegetables as a part of a healthy balanced diet, as well as dairy foods and eggs