Calcium supplements for pregnant women in the first 3 months of pregnancy

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Doctor Hoang Thi Anh Tuyet - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.
Although only a very small amount of calcium is needed in the early stages, calcium supplementation for the first 3 months of pregnancy is very important. Therefore, pregnant women should take calcium supplements during pregnancy under the advice of their doctors.

1. Why should calcium supplements for pregnant women in the first 3 months?

Calcium plays the most important role in the formation of bones and teeth and ensures the development of the fetus during the entire pregnancy. Normally, in the first 3 months, the mother's body needs to be provided with about 800mg of calcium per day to ensure the development of the fetus.
Although during pregnancy, the mother's body has broken down calcium compounds in the bones and released into the blood to meet the increased demand for calcium, but in most cases this response It's not enough, the mother's body needs more than that. In particular, if the necessary amount of calcium is not provided, the fetus will have negative effects on development such as: congenital rickets, fetal growth retardation, bone deformities, ...
In addition, the correct calcium supplement for pregnant women also has a great effect on the mother's health. If calcium deficiency takes place for a long time, it not only causes fatigue for pregnant women but also causes some phenomena such as leg numbness, insomnia, back pain, ...

2. Some calcium-rich foods are good for pregnant women

The most reasonable time to supplement iron and calcium for pregnant women is the entire pregnancy, in which the first 3 months play an extremely important role. Accordingly, pregnant mothers can provide calcium for the body by using the following foods in their daily diet such as:
Milk and dairy foods
This is a source of calcium most abundant for pregnant women. Starting a new day with a glass of milk not only meets the amount of calcium needed by the body but also helps to refresh the mind, helping the fetus develop comprehensively.
Dried fruits
Dried plums, dried peaches, dried grapes, ... are all fruits that contain a lot of energy and essential nutrients for the body. Moreover, in dried fruit also contains a large amount of calcium, which is very good for the bones and teeth of the fetus during development. However, pregnant mothers should choose dried fruits to ensure food safety so as not to affect the health of themselves and the fetus.
Banana
Banana not only enhances brain concentration, but also contains electrolytes that help prevent bone degeneration and increase calcium in the body. If you feel tired, pregnant women can eat bananas to provide quick energy for the body.

Spinach
Also known as spinach, this is a dark green vegetable and contains a large amount of calcium and iron that is good for the health of the mother and the fetus. On the other hand, they also contain a lot of other nutrients such as potassium, phosphorus, zinc, selenium and help protect the liver, help strengthen the immune system for pregnant women.
Almonds
Almonds are a very good nut for health, especially for pregnant women, according to a study of 23 almonds, they provide pregnant women with about 75mg of calcium, along with many important proteins and vitamin E. In addition, to ensure adequate calcium intake each day, pregnant women can use calcium supplements for pregnant women under the guidance of a doctor. This is also the best solution for pregnant women who are severely deficient in calcium.

3. Notes when using calcium supplements for pregnant women

During the first 3 months of pregnancy, a woman's immune system declines, so it is necessary to pay attention to the following things when using calcium supplements:
The health status of the pregnant woman is good, there is no history of pregnancy. For any medical condition, calcium drugs can be used according to the dosage recommended by the doctor. For pregnant women with symptoms of gestational diabetes, they should not use calcium medicines containing sugar or sodium salts. , as they can cause dangerously high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia. Calcium pills are usually recommended in the morning or 1 hour after breakfast to bring the best effect. Should not be taken in the evening, may cause kidney stones or kidney deposits. For those who supplement both iron and calcium for the body, pregnant women need to take 2 drugs at a distance from each other to avoid conflicts, causing unwanted side effects. In the first 3 months of pregnancy, the amount of calcium needed to provide the body with a day is 800mg, but our body can only absorb a maximum of 500g for a single use. Therefore, pregnant women should divide into the most reasonable meals to promote the effect of the drug. Calcium plays a big role in the development of the fetus and the health of the mother, but it should not be supplemented indiscriminately. Therefore, doctors recommend, when pregnant, women should go to reputable medical centers to be examined, do tests and listen to advice from qualified doctors.
Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital currently has a package maternity service as a solution to help pregnant women feel secure because of the companionship of the medical team throughout the pregnancy. When choosing Maternity Package, pregnant women can:
The pregnancy process is monitored by a team of qualified doctors Regular check-up, early detection of abnormalities Maternity package helps to facilitate the process. birthing process Newborns get comprehensive care

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.