Promoting vitamin D uptake in pregnancy and the puerperium

Vitamin D deficiency throughout the childbearing continuum is a major public health issue, and supplementation is an arguably cost-effective and simple way of increasing maternal health and ensuring fetal wellbeing (Christesen et al, 2012). The evidence underpinning supplementation needs further exploration to accurately determine safe and appropriate levels of vitamin D to avoid toxicity and prevent harmful effects to mother and baby (World Health Organization, 2012). Despite this, maternity health professionals in the UK should advise routine vitamin D supplementation for all women in line with national guidance (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2014). As key providers of public health information, midwives and health visitors hold an important role in advice and management of vitamin D deficiency and supplementation, including educating women and families around associated risks and how to increase vitamin D uptake.