Pregnancy comes with a long list of foods to remember and vitamins to track. Most moms-to-be focus on folate, iron and the basics.
One cheap vitamin at the back of the shelf often gets less attention.
A new study from Oregon Health & Science University suggests that vitamin C during pregnancy may help buffer a baby's developing brain against the effects of maternal stress.
Mothers who took more supplemental vitamin C had infants who were less fussy and easier to soothe at six months old.
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The research was published November 2, 2026 in the journal Developmental Psychology. It followed more than 300 pregnant women and used standardized clinical measures of depression, anxiety and stress during pregnancy.
What the researchers actually found in the data
Mothers with higher stress during pregnancy tended to eat less vitamin C from food.
Their babies also showed more negative emotions at six months, measured with a caregiver questionnaire on infant behavior and temperament.
The pattern changed when mothers took vitamin C supplements. Supplemental vitamin C, not vitamin C from food alone, appeared to blunt the link between prenatal distress and the baby's fussy behavior.
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Why vitamin C may matter for a developing brain
The researchers point to vitamin C's antioxidant and stress-regulating properties. In the womb, the vitamin helps build nerve cells and supports the brain chemicals that regulate mood and arousal.
"Vitamin C supplements are inexpensive, easy to access and something patients can start incorporating immediately," senior author Elinor Sullivan said in the OHSU statement.
How much vitamin C a pregnant woman actually needs
According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the recommended daily intake during pregnancy is 85 milligrams. The OHSU team notes that about one in four pregnant women in the US fall short of that amount.
Oranges, kiwi, bell peppers, broccoli, strawberries and tomatoes are among the richest everyday sources. Most standard prenatal vitamins also contain the full recommended amount.
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What the study cannot prove on its own
The researchers call the findings observational. Supplement users may differ from non-users in other ways. The study by itself cannot prove that extra vitamin C changes a baby's temperament.
Pregnant women with questions about their nutrition should talk with their doctor or midwife before changing their prenatal supplements.
A single medium orange, one cup of strawberries or half a red bell pepper is enough to cover a day's supply.
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This article is made and published by Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk, who may have used AI in the preparation.