Rickets During Pregnancy: Causes, Risks, and What to Do

When a pregnant person has rickets during pregnancy, a condition caused by severe vitamin D and calcium deficiency that weakens bones. Also known as osteomalacia in adults, it doesn’t just hurt the mother—it can stunt the baby’s bone growth before birth. This isn’t rare. In areas with limited sun exposure or poor diets, it’s still a real risk. The baby relies entirely on the mother for calcium and vitamin D. If she’s low, the fetus will take what it needs—even if it leaves her bones fragile.

This links directly to other health issues covered in our collection. For example, vitamin D deficiency pregnancy, a key driver of rickets shows up in studies as a major factor in preterm birth and low birth weight. It also overlaps with maternal nutrition, the foundation of healthy fetal development. If you’re skipping dairy, avoiding sunlight, or following a restrictive diet without supplements, you’re not just missing out—you’re putting your baby’s skeleton at risk. And it’s not just about milk. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, and without enough of either, bones soften. That’s why doctors test for it during prenatal visits.

What you eat matters more than you think. Foods like fatty fish, fortified cereals, and eggs help, but most people still need supplements. The CDC recommends 600 IU of vitamin D daily during pregnancy, but many experts say 1,000–2,000 IU is safer if levels are low. Calcium needs jump to 1,300 mg if you’re under 18, and 1,000 mg if you’re older. That’s about three glasses of milk or equivalent in fortified plant milk, tofu, or leafy greens. And yes, sunlight helps—but sunscreen blocks vitamin D production, and in winter or high-latitude areas, it’s not enough.

What’s scary is that rickets often goes unnoticed until it’s advanced. A mother might feel tired, have muscle cramps, or notice bone pain. The baby might be born with soft skull bones, delayed tooth eruption, or bowed legs. These signs show up after birth, but the damage started in the womb. That’s why prevention isn’t optional—it’s essential. The good news? It’s preventable. Most cases are caught early with routine blood tests and corrected with simple, low-cost supplements.

You’ll find real, practical advice in the posts below. Some cover how to safely manage medication during pregnancy without harming bone health. Others explain how to read nutrition labels for hidden calcium or avoid interactions that block vitamin D absorption. You’ll see how post-menopausal women face similar risks, and why what you do now sets the stage for your child’s lifelong bone strength. This isn’t just about avoiding pain—it’s about giving your baby the strongest start possible.