The importance in calcium supplements for pregnant women

Besides other essential nutrients such as folic acid, iron, zinc ... calcium is also an essential nutrient for pregnant women. Therefore, the calcium supplementation for pregnant women is something that should be considered important.

Calcium is one of the most important minerals a woman's body needs during pregnancy. The body uses calcium, other vitamins and minerals to serve the needs of pregnant mothers and babies. Calcium requirements change with age, and having too much or too little calcium can also cause complications. Let's join aFamilyToday Health to find out how pregnant mothers need to supplement calcium and whether you have absorbed enough.

The amount of calcium needed for pregnant women

The human body cannot make calcium, so you need to get this mineral from food or supplements. During pregnancy, pregnant women try to absorb at least 1,000 mg of calcium per day.

The importance of calcium to pregnant women

Calcium is an important nutrient for the body. During pregnancy, you need more calcium for your baby's development as well as for your own health.

For the fetus: The baby needs calcium to form bones and teeth. Calcium is also an important mineral for your baby's heart, muscles, nerves and hormones.

For pregnant mothers: During pregnancy, you provide your baby with all the calcium your baby needs. Therefore, if the body does not absorb the necessary amount of calcium, pregnant mothers may encounter  dangerous pregnancy complications .

Health problems related to too little or too much calcium supplementation for pregnant women

Absorption of too little or too much calcium also causes complications affecting the health of pregnant mothers.

Calcium supplementation for pregnant women is too little

Lack of calcium in pregnant women leads to:

Numb hands

Preterm birth

Poor taste

Heart problems

Low birth weight infants

The fetus develops slowly

Cramps in the legs and muscles

High blood pressure during pregnancy

The risk of fracture in the future increases

The fetus is not getting enough calcium

In severe and rare cases, too little calcium can lead to death.

If you have any of the health problems listed above then you are more likely to absorb too little calcium. In this case, doctors will find out, recommend the appropriate additional dose ... to prevent any complications that may occur.

Calcium supplementation for pregnant women too much

Contrary to the signs of calcium deficiency in pregnant women , signs of excess calcium in pregnant women include always feeling thirsty, tired, loss of appetite, not eating well. If pregnant mothers overuse functional foods and accidentally load too much calcium into the body, it will lead to:

Constipation

Kidney stones

Heart beat irregular

The fetus does not have the necessary amount of calcium

Having trouble absorbing other substances, such as iron or zinc.

It is important to find out the right dosage for each vitamin to avoid any unwanted side effects.

Calcium supplements for pregnant women

Milk and dairy products like cheese, yogurt, and cream are the most effective sources of calcium. Consuming 3 servings of milk per day will provide you with about 1,200mg of calcium to help meet your body's calcium needs. In addition, other foods rich in calcium include:

Fish

Cereals

Bread

Oat

Nuts

Kinds of bean

Canned sardines

Fresh juices, such as orange juice

Dark green vegetables like kale, broccoli, and spinach.

If you are a vegetarian, you still need to learn a little about your diet to make sure you will get all the vitamins and minerals your body needs. If you are on a lactose-ovo vegetarian diet, you will be able to consume eggs, milk and calcium from them.

On the other hand, in the case of an absolute diet, there are still suitable dishes, including:

Sesame seeds

Lentils

Cereals

Kidney beans

Orange juice

Almond

Dried fruit

Rice milk, almond milk.

Vitamin D supplementation for pregnant women is equally important

Vitamin D is an essential vitamin for many reasons. Some of these include helping your body absorb calcium. The duo of vitamin D and calcium promotes strong bones.

During pregnancy, experts recommend a daily supplement of 600 IU of vitamin D.

Your body uses sunlight to naturally make vitamin D. But pregnant women can also get vitamin D from certain foods or supplements, such as:

Eat fatty fish: Fish like salmon, mackerel, swordfish, sardines and tuna can provide you with some vitamin D.

Foods rich in vitamin D: Milk, orange juice, cereals, yogurt and eggs

Take vitamin supplements for pregnant women: Most vitamins for pregnant women contain vitamin D.

Phuong Uyen / HELLOBACSI