Calcium Supplementation in Pregnant Women

1. Calcium Supplementation in Pregnant Women Calcium is essential whether or not you're pregnant. But for moms-to-be, it's particularly vital and highly recommended by doctors. This all-star mineral builds your baby's bones and helps maintain your skeletal health. An additional dose of calcium is important for vital body functions. If you're not consuming enough calcium for your growing baby, your body's calcium levels will deplete since it will use the supply out of its own stores. This shortage places you at high risk for bone loss during pregnancy and makes you vulnerable to osteoporosis later in life. So, how do you make sure you're getting plenty of calcium during pregnancy — besides snacking on cheese and sipping on milk? And how can pregnant women, who don't eat dairy, ensure they're getting enough of the mineral? Read this article to discover the recommended dose of calcium supplements for pregnant women, the best calcium-rich food sources, and determine if a calcium supplement might cover your bases (and bones). How much calcium do pregnant women need? Pregnant women need about 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day, and women aged 18 or younger need 1,300 milligrams per day. In general, you should aim for four servings of calcium-rich foods daily.

2. Most prenatal vitamins do not contain enough calcium to meet the recommended 1,000 milligrams per day, but dietary sources of calcium help you quickly maintain a healthy level of the mineral. For example, scoop up a cup of plain low-fat yogurt with breakfast and sprinkle part-skim mozzarella on whole wheat pasta at dinner, and you're already more than halfway to your daily dose. Calcium supplements for pregnant women are essential for the baby's healthy growth. When estimating calcium intake during pregnancy, the first step is to take note of the calcium already in your prenatal vitamins. Remember that many over-the-counter heartburn-relief tablets contain calcium, so check the label if you're using these to help manage pregnancy heartburn. Best calcium-rich foods for pregnant women Milk is the most well-touted source of calcium, and an 8-ounce glass contains about a third of your daily needs, and calcium-fortified milk options are exceptionally efficient. If you can't bear the thought of drinking calcium-based liquids straight up, disguise it in smoothies and milkshakes. You can also dabble in other dairy sources, like calcium supplements for pregnant women, yogurt straight from the container, or as a topping with fruit. Cheese also delivers a heavy dose of calcium (make sure the variety you choose is pasteurized — luckily, most of the cheese sold in the U.S. is). Munching on a mozzarella stick with crackers, sprinkling Parmesan on your pasta, or pouring low-fat cheese sauce over steamed vegetables are all sources of calcium intake. Why is calcium important during pregnancy? Calcium helps strengthen your baby's developing bones and teeth and boosts muscle, heart, and nerve development. Plus, it's still as important as ever for your own teeth and bones. If you don't get enough calcium in your diet, your body will give away what your baby needs. That's especially the case during the third trimester when bone development peaks at 250 to 350 milligrams transferred from you to your baby every day. Conclusion Inadequate calcium supplements for pregnant women make them more susceptible to osteoporosis, a condition causing brittle bones. Many women recover lost bone mass after pregnancy and breastfeeding, but it's still a good idea to stay ahead of the game and bone up on calcium during pregnancy.