When is the most appropriate time for pregnant women to take calcium supplements?

How much calcium does a baby need? As the pregnant mother\’s belly grows and the baby grows, the \”calcium\” in the body is also quietly lost… So for pregnant mothers, how to supplement calcium, how much to supplement, and when to supplement Especially important. Now, expectant mothers can join us to learn about calcium supplementation during pregnancy and give their babies a healthy and nutritious hotbed! Do you need calcium supplements during pregnancy? The answer is yes. During pregnancy, the fetus needs to go through 280 days of development, from a small embryo of a few millimeters to a newborn baby with a height of 50 centimeters and a weight of more than 3 kilograms. This requires the absorption of a large amount of nutrients from the mother, among which calcium is responsible for the bones and teeth of the fetus. main ingredients. In order to ensure the growth of fetal height, normal calcification of the spine, limbs, and skull must be ensured, which requires a sufficient supply of calcium. If the mother\’s calcium intake is insufficient, the calcium needed by the fetus will be taken from the mother\’s bone marrow and teeth to meet the needs of growth. This will reduce the mother\’s blood calcium and cause calf cramps or tetany. It can be seen that the calcium intake of pregnant mothers directly affects the growth of the fetus and their own health. The latest and most complete 2023 [Kindergarten, Junior High and High School] premium VIP course catalogs from famous teachers in various disciplines on the entire network, click to view now! When should you start taking calcium supplements during pregnancy? How to make up for it? In fact, every stage of pregnancy requires calcium supplementation, but the demand for calcium is different in different periods, and the methods of calcium supplementation are also different. ● Early pregnancy – For expectant mothers who generally consume 800 mg/day in early pregnancy, as long as they eat more calcium-rich foods, such as fresh milk, yogurt and other dairy products, and get more sun exposure, they can meet their daily needs. of calcium. ● Second trimester – increase intake by 1000 mg/day. The second trimester is a period of rapid fetal growth, and the demand for calcium begins to increase. In addition, pregnant mothers usually have a big appetite at this time, so food is the best source of calcium. Eat more calcium-rich foods every day, such as milk and dairy products, beans and soy products, as well as sesame, kelp, shrimp skin and other seafood. ●Third trimester – further increase to 1200 mg/day. In principle, the third trimester is the same as the second trimester. In addition to additional calcium supplements, if you have time, you should exercise as much as possible. Common misunderstandings about calcium supplementation 1. Leg cramps mean calcium deficiency? Calcium deficiency causes leg cramps in late pregnancy, and calcium supplementation can relieve symptoms. But there are other reasons for leg cramps, such as insufficient blood supply and fatigue. This is why some people still get leg cramps after taking calcium tablets. 2. Will calcium supplementation in late pregnancy lead to placental calcification? Calcium supplementation will not cause placental aging. There is currently no evidence to prove that there is an inevitable connection between \”placental aging\” and the child\’s birth and prognosis. Therefore, you should still insist on calcium supplementation in the third trimester of pregnancy! 3. Will calcium supplementation in late pregnancy cause the fetus\’ head to be too hard and unable to be born? The fetal cranial sutures are not closed. Under the squeeze of the birth canal, the fetal cranial sutures can overlap and the biparietal diameter becomes smaller, allowing for smooth vaginal delivery. Therefore, appropriate calcium supplementation will not cause the fetal head to be too hard, nor will it prolong the labor process. Key points for calcium supplementation for pregnant mothers: 1. Eat calcium-rich foods (dairy products, beans and soy products, seafood) 2. Nutritional supplements to supplement calcium (Choose organic calcium that is pollution-free and easy to absorb) 3. Eat less salt Calcium supplements cannot be taken together with plant foods containing phytic acid and oxalic acid