Can I Eat High-vitamin-A supplements While Pregnant?
Limit / use cautionGeneral guidance from ACOG. Please always check with your provider.
It is worth pausing before taking high-dose vitamin A supplements or cod liver oil in pregnancy, but your regular prenatal vitamin has you well covered.
Why
ACOG cautions that excess preformed vitamin A (retinol), the kind found in cod liver oil and high-potency supplements, can be toxic to a developing baby and is linked to birth defects, particularly in the first trimester. The risk comes from large supplemental doses rather than the modest, balanced amount in a standard prenatal vitamin or from the beta-carotene in fruits and vegetables, which the body converts safely.
How to enjoy it safely
Stick to a prenatal vitamin formulated for pregnancy and take it as directed, rather than adding a separate vitamin A or cod liver oil supplement. If you want the omega-3 benefits people seek from cod liver oil, ask about a dedicated DHA or fish oil supplement that does not carry a high retinol load.
When to ask your provider
Run any supplement beyond your prenatal vitamin past your Garden OB/GYN provider first so they can check the vitamin A content and confirm it is safe for you.
This page is for general education and is not medical advice. It summarizes guidance from ACOG, which can change, and individual situations vary, so please confirm with your Garden OB/GYN provider.
Questions about your pregnancy diet?
Our providers across Brooklyn, NYC, and Long Island are happy to help you eat well and worry less.
Book a prenatal visit