Study Links Vitamin D To Caesarian Births

A new study by the Boston University School of Medicine and the Boston Medical Center finds that women who are Vitamin D deficient are four times more likely to give birth by caesarian section.

WBUR's Sacha Pfeiffer reports.

The researchers say the link between c-sections and low Vitamin D levels mean pregnant women should make sure they get enough of the vitamin.

The study's lead author, Boston University Medical School professor Anne Merewood, says the best source of Vitamin D is not supplements, but the sun.

MEREWOOD: It's very untrendy to say people should spend time in the sun, but I do think that sensible, moderate sun exposure — not going out there and getting burned and getting skin cancer, but some sun exposure — would definitely help people's levels to go up.

Merewood says low Vitamin D levels could weaken a woman's contractions during delivery, making natural childbirth difficult.