Another benefit of vitamin D for women: reduced risk of caesarian section.

I have already written about the benefits of vitamin D for the reduction of breast cancer, autistic births, pre-eclampsia and infection of the placenta. Research now shows that the risk of giving birth by caesarian section is dramatically increased by vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy.[1] The authors of the research point out that childbirth is a muscular activity, and that muscle weakness is an established symptom of vitamin D deficiency.

No thinking person can believe that caesarean section is a normal way to give birth, yet nearly one-third of all births are by caesarian section. It is obvious that something is seriously wrong, and that "something" in most cases is likely vitamin D deficiency. The research pointed out that those with low levels of vitamin D had four times the risk of caesarian section as those who had higher levels. However, many in the group with higher levels had nowhere near optimal levels of vitamin D. If they had had optimal levels, it is likely that they would have been even more protected.

Ladies, this is just one more reason to make optimal vitamin D levels a priority. Get yours checked and make sure your levels of vitamin D [25(OH)D] are at least 50-60 ng/ml. You can get an inexpensive and accurate test—without a physician’s prescription—by visiting ordervitamindtest.org. You can also get out in the sunlight during spring, summer and early fall, and supplement or visit a tanning bed in the winter. Remember never to burn!

[1] Merewood, A. et al. Association Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Primary Cesarean Section. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2008 Dec 23, 2008 [Epub ahead of print]