Can a pregnant woman take emergen c

Vitamin C is important for the healthy growth and development of your baby. Here's how much pregnant women need and whether it's safe to take vitamin C supplements.

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In This Article

• Why is vitamin C important during pregnancy?
• How much vitamin C do pregnant women need?
• Best vitamin C-rich foods for pregnant women
• Can you take vitamin C supplements during pregnancy?

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin and powerful antioxidant that is essential whether or not you're pregnant. Although it's a well-known immunity booster, vitamin C also plays an important role in your baby's development and may even reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.

With all of these benefits in mind, you may be wondering if you should take a vitamin C supplement during pregnancy — especially if you’re hoping to strengthen your immune system during cold and flu season.

Here, your complete guide to vitamin C, including how much moms-to-be need and the C-rich foods that can do your body (and baby) good.

Why is vitamin C important during pregnancy?

Vitamin C, also known as L-ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin you need every single day, and pregnancy is no exception. The human body can't store vitamin C, so you need a fresh supply from your diet daily.

During pregnancy, vitamin C is vital for both mom and baby. You need it for tissue repair and wound healing, and it helps your baby's bones and teeth develop, too. Vitamin C also aids in the body’s production of collagen, helps bolster immunity and, on top of it all, improves your ability to absorb iron.

Some studies link low blood levels of vitamin C during pregnancy to preeclampsia, which is why it's extra important to make sure you're consuming enough when you're expecting.

How much vitamin C do pregnant women need?

Pregnant women who are 19 and older should aim for about 85 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C daily. To put this into perspective, a 6-ounce glass of OJ plus 1 cup strawberries will deliver more than double your daily dose of vitamin C. Aim to incorporate three servings of vitamin C-rich fruits and veggies per day, and you’ll be well on your way.

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Best vitamin C-rich foods for pregnant women

When you hear "vitamin C," you likely think of oranges — but you can also look beyond the citrus fruit and its juice to the many other tasty C-rich fruits and vegetables. Keep in mind that vitamin C doesn't hold up as well when cooked, so try to eat some of your C foods raw each day.

Here are a few healthy foods to help you get your fill:

• Red bell pepper: 95 mg per ½ cup raw
• Orange juice: 93 mg per ¾ cup
• Orange: 70 mg per medium fruit
• Grapefruit juice: 70 mg per ¾ cup
• Kiwi: 64 mg per medium fruit
• Green bell pepper: 60 mg per ½ cup raw
• Broccoli: 51 mg per ½ cup cooked
• Strawberries: 49 mg per ½ cup sliced
• Brussels sprouts: 48 mg per ½ cup cooked
• Grapefruit: 39 mg per half medium fruit

Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron, so it's smart to eat C-rich foods alongside those that contain iron, such as chicken with red bell peppers or fish with Brussels sprouts.

Can you take vitamin C supplements during pregnancy?

You might be wondering if it's safe — or necessary — to take vitamin C supplements while pregnant, especially if you're hoping to boost your immunity during cold and flu season. However, for most pregnant women, it's relatively easy to get the recommended amounts of vitamin C through diet and a good prenatal vitamin.

The latest research on taking vitamin C while pregnant is mixed and limited, and the World Health Organization (WHO) does not recommend adding an additional vitamin C supplement to your prenatal. If you're concerned that you're getting enough vitamin C through diet, ask your practitioner if a vitamin C supplement is right for you.

The bottom line? Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet with plenty of C-rich foods and taking a prenatal vitamin should more than cover your bases.

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You're Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

• What to Expect When You’re Expecting, 5th edition, Heidi Murkoff.
• WhatToExpect.com, Your Baby’s Bones and Skeleton, June 2021.
• WhatToExpect.com, 19 Best Foods to Eat During Pregnancy, May 2020. 
• WhatToExpect.com, How Much Iron Do You Need During Pregnancy?, May 2020. 
• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, How Vitamin C Supports a Healthy Immune System, March 2021.
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Nutrition During Pregnancy, March 2022.
• Cochrane, Vitamin C Supplementation in Pregnancy, September 2015.
• Rachel Fine, R.D., New York, NY.
• National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Intake of Vitamin C and E in Pregnancy and Risk of Pre-Eclampsia: Prospective Study Among 57346 Women, 
• Andrei Rebarber, M.D., OB/GYN, Englewood Hospital, Englewood, NJ, and Member of the What to Expect Medical Review Board.
• National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements, Vitamin C, March 2021.
• National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus, Vitamin C, April 2022.
• World Health Organization, WHO Recommendations on Antenatal Care for a Positive Pregnancy Experience, December 2016.

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