Calcium supplements for pregnant women

During pregnancy, the needs for energy, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals all increase to meet the development of both mother and child. Calcium is one of the most important minerals for the development of the baby's bones and teeth, helping the fetus develop healthily while reducing risks for pregnant women...

Calcium requirements in pregnant women

According to the recommendation of the Institute of Nutrition, the recommended calcium requirement for pregnant women (throughout pregnancy) is 1,200mg/day, 30% higher than the normal needs of women. During this period, calcium plays a very important role in meeting the process of tooth and bone formation of the fetus. If the calcium supply during pregnancy is inadequate, the fetus may suffer from rickets, poor development, deformed bone structure and tooth buds right from the fetal stage, causing bone and tooth defects that can last into adulthood. Children are born with signs of calcium deficiency such as soft skull, wide anterior and posterior fontanelles, purple crying due to spasms, and even convulsions due to hypocalcemia. For the mother, it will lead to symptoms of cramps, muscle aches and pains, especially in the last 3 months, and lead to osteoporosis and tooth decay in the mother after giving birth (because calcium will have to be mobilized from the mother's body)...

Pregnant women should supplement foods rich in calcium. Photo: MH

How to supplement?

Calcium supplementation during pregnancy is done through many different methods such as through food and medication.

First of all, through food supplementation, pregnant women should eat a lot of calcium-rich foods such as shrimp, crab, fish, celery, broccoli... The calcium needs of pregnant women can hardly be met without drinking calcium-rich milk and dairy products such as yogurt, cheese... A day, just 2 glasses of milk or 100 - 200g of fish, small shrimp eaten with the shell and bones or fried fish, large fish braised with bones... are enough to provide calcium needs for pregnant women.

Only supplement with medicine when food sources are not enough. Supplementing with medicine must be prescribed by a doctor to avoid overuse. Because excess calcium is also dangerous (excess calcium, the fetus may have hypercalcemia, when born, the fontanel is closed too early, the jaw bone may be deformed, wide and protruding, not good for health and affecting aesthetics).

According to health and life