"We know that Vitamin D is essential for pregnant women, but very few people prepare themselves to check the Vitamin D before pregnancy, even do not know that it has to be checked," he said here on Monday.
He noted that even though Indonesia is a tropical country with abundant sunlight, there are still many pregnant women in the country whose Vitamin D level is below the minimum threshold.
"There are still many pregnant women in Indonesia whose Vitamin D levels are still below 20; that's called a deficiency. Meanwhile, Vitamin D is needed for placentation, attachment of the placenta to the uterus," he said.
"It means that babies have roots, the roots attach to the uterus, and the roots will take food from their mothers," he added.
Wardoyo, who is also an obstetrician, further explained that when most of the roots are not successfully attached to the uterus, the mother's placenta becomes less thick.
"One of the causes of a thin placenta is because the mother has Vitamin D deficiency, so she is at risk of anemia," he added.
He then highlighted the need for raising awareness among prospective brides, especially prospective mothers, so they can check their Vitamin D levels.
He also reminded mothers to learn about how natural Vitamin D can be obtained by walking in the sun or sunbathing within the time period recommended by World Health Organization (WHO), namely around 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
He further advised mothers to take Vitamin D supplements with a dose of above 5 thousand and go for a follow-up evaluation.
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Translator: Lintang Budiyanti, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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