Replied By Vica (Anaheim, CA) on 11/17/2008
I completely disagree with Kat. Please refer to the following link from the Vitamin C foundation: http://www.vitamincfoundation.org/stone/Chapt26.htm
Scroll down to the "Pregnancy" section. It goes through all of the studies conducted on pregnant females including animal studies. It also provides the rationale behind the necessity of Vitamin C (especially during pregnancy). I have actually used the Vitamin C protocol in my last pregnancy (3 grams of Vitamin C per day 1st trimester, 6 grams 2nd trimester & 10 grams of Vitamin C in my last trimester). I can honestly say it was the easiest child birth I have had. (I should know since the last child was number 8 for my husband and I.) My baby is the most happy and mellow baby around. To this day I strive to take between 6-10 grams of Vitamin C a day. I highly recommend that everyone reads the information that can be found on
http://www.vitamincfoundation.org
One will truly be amazed at how many illnesses can be cured/treated with high doses of Vitamin C.
Replied By Anonym. (Los Angeles, Ca) on 08/28/2009
you may both be right. it might just be a matter of timing and dosage. as it is, there are herbs that can be emmenagogues (induce a period when it's late) but can also be used to encourage conception; they are just different dosages, at different times of the woman's cycle (before OR after ovulation for instance, makes a difference).it could be that once the baby is further developed, a dosage of 10 grams is generally safe, as you mention. maybe then you are out of that delicate developing zone.
high doses of vitamin c (preferably absorbic acid) has been and is used to induce a late period and/or miscarraige, in the early stages of pregnancy. please note that the emmenagogue vitamin c dosage is anywhere from 6-12 grams per day of absorbic acid, for no more than 14 days. hopefully this helps to clarify things. i am not an expert but have read quite a bit about natural fertility herbal uses.
just keep in mind that many supplement have dual effects and read up/get advice before you add any new supplement. valerian, for instance. it is a balancer: can stimulate when you are tired, or make you sleepy when you are anxious/wired. i have firsthand experience with this one.
Replied By Angela (Lynchburg, Va) on 01/29/2010
I'm not sure about the form being right to take in pregnancy or not, but I took a top notch 6 a day prenatal with plenty of ascorbic acid in there, and I always had to have my water broken with my babies. (It was coming out intact.) Come to find out from my Midwife, it's the vit. C that causes a tough sack. I will continue to take it, as with my condition of an irritable uterus, most woman seem to loose their babies early due to their water breaking. . .I kept mine full term.Replied By Tiffany (Conway, Ar) on 01/08/2011
I am a RN in the Burn Center and our MD's prescribe 1000 mg Ascorbic Acid to all our patients (pregnant or otherwise) because it encourages cell regeneration. Cell walls require ascorbic acid (or vitamin C) to repair themselves, so it's a good thing to take extra while you're being required to make new cells - as in growing a new life or healing a wound. I'm 34 weeks pregnant now, and my midwife has encouraged me to take up to 1000 mg of Vitamin C every hour (if needed) for the duration of my pregnancy. It has helped prevent illness as well as grow a healthy baby. I haven't been sick this entire pregnancy and I deal with some REALLY nasty germs while at work.Replied By Bree (Chicago, Il) on 01/10/2011
The first lady is correct. Synthetic vitamin C is an abortifacient and I have used it as such several times when I was younger. Unlike herbs it works dependably in the right circumstances. It is useful if you use a natural planning method of birth control ("rhythm method") and become fertile unexpectedly within a few days of intercourse. It only works for sure in the first week after conception and you must take very high doses (a tablet every hour or two) in order to ensure success. You will know it worked of course because you will begin menstruation after a couple of days. It's been a decade since I have used it but I believe synthetic vitamin C is a progesterone blocker. For safety, anyone taking vitamin C should be very careful to only take natural vitamin C in lower doses.Replied By Meg (Jacksonville, Oregon) on 05/04/2012
The only type of vitamin C that is the best and safest is in the form of whole foods such as Camu Camu Berry powder -- the highest form of C you can find. It's not ascorbic acid.Replied By Jajajaja (Philadelphia, Pa) on 02/18/2015
Hmmm... Idk, I was taking 8 grams a day before I found out I was pregnant. Def didn't cause miscarriage. The one thing that is different this pregnancy is the baby is estimated to be smaller (estimated at 9 lbs at 40 weeks, while my last was over 10 and three weeks early). Good to know about it strengthening the cervix, perhaps this is why I am not dilating!!