Pregnant women have a slightly increased need for vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), compared to other individuals. Mild vitamin B6 deficiencies appear to be common among pregnant women and do not seem to cause any significant problems. Vitamin B6 may be a beneficial morning sickness treatment for some women.

The RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) of vitamin B6 for pregnant women is 1.9 mg per day, compared to 1.3 mg per day for most other women of childbearing age. Many women easily get plenty of vitamin B6 through a healthy and well-rounded diet. However, it is probably a good idea to take a prenatal vitamin during pregnancy, which will make sure you get enough vitamin B6 (as well as several other vitamins).

Animal research suggests that a severe vitamin B6 deficiency might cause birth defects or other problems, although it is not clear if the same is true for humans. Mild to moderate deficiencies do not appear to cause serious problems (for either the mother or the fetus).

Vitamin B6 is often recommended for treating morning sickness. It is recommended as one of the first treatments to try for this problem. However, it is probably not a good idea to use vitamin B6 (especially in high doses) to treat morning sickness without your healthcare provider's approval and supervision. There is some concern that taking very high doses of vitamin B6 throughout pregnancy could lead to seizures in the newborn.

It is a good idea for most pregnant women to take vitamin B6 (through a prenatal vitamin). However, it is best to check with your healthcare provider before taking more than the RDA of 1.9 mg per day (such as higher doses for treating morning sickness). In fact, it is a good idea to talk with your healthcare provider before taking any medications (including vitamins and supplements) during pregnancy.