Vitamin C is essential vitamin for the formation of collagen, elevating the body’s resistance to infection, repairing the tissues, and various metabolic processes like iron metabolism and translation of folic acid.

According to research presented at last week’s Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s annual meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, Insufficient levels of vitamin C before and during pregnancy can lead to a higher risk of a ruptured membrane and premature delivery.

Vitamin C plays a key in the synthesis of collagen, which hold the fetal membrane and maintains the mechanical strength of the chorioamniotic membranes. so women with a low vitamin C intake can be more susceptible to premature rupture of the membrane attached to the placenta, leading to an increased risk of premature delivery.

A study was carried out among 2,247 pregnant women who were asked to detail their intake of various foods before their pregnancy and during the second three months of their pregnancy.

The researchers found that only 28% of women said they had taken vitamin C supplements before pregnancy, 80% are found taking a an extra dose by the 30th week of pregnancy and the remaining percentage take additional Vitamin C after pregnancy.

The study’s results suggest that there was a strong relationship between a lack of vitamin C in women’s diets and a tendency toward rupturing the placental membrane. Consumption of Vitamin C after pregnancy is not enough to ward off the risk of premature rupture.

Vitamin C and pregnancy together have proved to be beneficial for the fetus. Both you and your baby require sufficient amount of Vitamin C as it helps in providing essential nutrients to your baby

It also helps in the absorption of iron that is beneficial for forming hemoglobin. So, inculcate the habit of eating extra doses of Vitamin C during pregnancy.

You should start Consumption of Vitamin C from nearly 20th week of gestation period and continue till the baby is delivered and even after that.

The vitamin c recommendation during pregnancy is 85 mg per day. Nursing mothers no less than 120 mg per day.

After pregnancy extra doses are required to cope up with the challenge of breastfeeding and providing required nutrients to your baby through breast milk.