A new study published online in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology reports that having adequate Vitamin D levels may reduce miscarriage risk. The study found that women who had previously had a miscarriage were more likely to get pregnant and have a baby if they had sufficient Vitamin D levels.
The study included 1,200 women with a history of miscarriage. Researchers looked at the Vitamin D levels of these women before they conceived again and when they were pregnant at 8 weeks gestational age.
Women who had sufficient Vitamin D levels of at least 30 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) were 10 percent more likely to become pregnant and 15 percent more likely to have a live birth compared to women with low Vitamin D levels. In addition, among the women who conceived a pregnancy, every 10 ng/mL increase in Vitamin D levels before getting pregnant was associated with a 12 percent lower risk of miscarriage. Of note, by the 8th week of pregnancy, Vitamin D levels were no longer associated with miscarriage risk.
“Our findings suggest that Vitamin D may play a protective role in pregnancy,” stated lead researcher Sunni Mumford, from the epidemiology branch of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
This study adds to the growing body of medical literature that suggests that Vitamin D plays an important role in both pregnancy and fertility. Previous studies have even shown higher in vitro fertilization success rates for women with adequate Vitamin D levels.
For those women who have previously had a miscarriage or are struggling with infertility, you may want to ask your physician to have a Vitamin D level checked. According to this study, it may be beneficial to optimize your Vitamin D level prior to conception.