Vitamin A in pregnancy

I was reading one of the books which the midwife left for me last night, and I read something about Vit A being bad while pregnant, and possibly being related to Birth Defects...

Okay, this morning, when I had my breakfast, I went to pour me a glass of blackcurrent juice, and for the first time EVER I noticed that this brand has added Vitamin A in it! OMG - I've been drinking this stuff for years, and have never noticed before!!!! And I have been drinking it every day second day or so, since I got preganant!!!!!

Of course, I panicked, and phoned my midwife immediately, but she didnt seem too worried by it. The amount seems to be quite small really, in compasrison with what you would get in a multi- vitamin tablet, but I was just wondering if anyone knew whether there was a safe limit? Obviously, you get vitamin A just from a normal diet in some veges etc, so I guess we must be able to handle a small amount...

Yes, I'm in a wee bit of a panick about this, and know that I cant undo what has already been done, but I certainly will not be drinking anymore of that juice!!!!

I hope you're not talking about Ribena coz I've been guzzling it by the litre...

A friend of mine took Vitamin A tablets all through her pregnancy. Somehow she had heard it was supposed to be good for skin etc with the baby. Which was not right.

Her little girl was born with 2 skin tags which she had to have removed when she was about 6 months. It was not a major and easily fixed but did not lookk too good and was awful for the family. And of course my friend felt really horrible.

This was due to the pills.

So you know and so as not to scare anyone!!!..you would have to be taking a LOT of it to have any bad effects.

It is a bit of a worry and they should make it something that is told to you when you first go see a LMC.

I woudl imagine that as long as you are not takign an actual supplement you shoudl be fine...but I understand how somehting like this could cause ome panic! I will see if I can find out anything...

Hey herewego I answered you on Everybody

Thanks for you comments everyone! And the websites frantic and KH25!

After reading through all the information, I've decided that the amount in this juice is not really enough for them to even have bothered advertising it on the front of the bottle! Apparently, 2565ul is fine during early stages of pregnancy, and this juice taht caused my complete state of panic only has 50ul per serving!!!!

Panic mode ceased!!!!!!   

I spoke to my beautician lady when I just found out I was preggy and she said to avoid "bio oil" because that was too high in Vit A. I haven't touched it "just in case" but I thought that was designed to be used during pregnancy to avoid stretch marks?!?!?

Yeah it is. How strange.

Don't worry Paws, I've been guzzling Ribena lite too coz thats what my sister has in the fridge...

It MUST be safe - they fully advertise it for use during pregnancy!

Bio Oil is fine. My midwfire gave me heaps of little sachets. Its not meant to be eaten.