Some Facts About Calcium During Pregnancy

_{Calcium is very important for a woman during pregnancy; this mineral not only helps the woman to have strong bones and teeth, but it also helps the growing fetus to develop a strong skeleton. The fetus gets vitamins and minerals from the mother, so it is necessary for mothers to take adequate calcium in their diet; a rich calcium diet taken by the mother helps the fetus grow a strong and healthy heart with a normal heart rhythm, strong muscles and nerves and the blood clotting abilities. A pregnant woman’s diet poor in calcium risks developing health problems and poor bone health for life.}  

_{Some facts about calcium during pregnancy:}

_{•    A pregnant woman on a rich calcium diet is able to avoid the risk of developing preeclampsia; this show up as high blood pressure and excess of protein in the urine in the last stages of pregnancy. This condition could lead to the early breakaway of the placenta from the uterine wall that leads to low birth weight and or premature birth. Preeclampsia is cured only by the birth of the baby.}

_{•    As mentioned above calcium is very necessary for the prevention of preeclampsia; the recommended dosage by the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance for pregnant women below the age of 24 is 300mg/day, while those above 24 years of age need to take 1200 mg calcium per day. This is to build up bone health and mass both in the growing fetus and the mother.}    

_{•    Calcium is best included in a pregnant woman’s diet by adding at least 4 servings of dairy products like cheese, milk, yogurt and ice-cream with their meals. The inclusion of green vegetables like spinach and broccoli, and other foods like shrimp, sardines, dried beans, dried peas and tofu helps.}

_{•    A high content calcium diet is desirable, but it is undesirable to take a lot of calcium; excess of calcium could lead to increase of risk of kidney stones, constipation and also hinder the absorption of iron and zinc in the body. Doctors recommend that as pregnant woman takes not more than 2500 mg of calcium a day both through the diet and other calcium supplements.}  

_{•    If you as a pregnant woman are taking a prenatal vitamin, it is quite possible that your body is getting about 150mg of calcium; your body has the capacity to absorb only 500mg of calcium a day. It would be advisable if you are not getting adequate calcium to take a calcium supplement of a small dosage many times in the day.}  

_{•    Calcium supplements are available most commonly as calcium citrate and calcium carbonate. While calcium citrate is easily absorbed in the body and can be taken between meals, calcium carbonate requires extra stomach acid to dissolve it and it is best taken with meals. Also make sure your calcium supplement does not contain lead as it is harmful to the growing baby.}