Calcium In Pregnancy: Calcium is essential in pregnancy! But how much is safe to take throughout the day?

Calcium is an essential element for the health of all our bodies. But when it comes to a pregnant woman, it becomes even more important. A pregnant woman needs to take care of herself as well as the development of her unborn child. A child needs a variety of nutrients for its development and calcium is one of them.

Calcium is very important for the development of the teeth and bones of the child. Your body takes calcium from the mother's bones for the baby's development, reports WebMD. That's why it is very important for a pregnant woman to take extra calcium at this stage to keep her bones strong. This means that the baby develops properly and the bones of the mother do not become weak.

Why is calcium needed?

Your body cannot produce calcium on its own. So you need to have a balanced diet and some supplements. Pregnant women should consume at least 1000 mg of calcium per day. If you are 18 years of age or younger, you need at least 1,300 milligrams of calcium per day.

Calcium-rich foods

Dairy products like milk, paneer, and curd are considered to be the best sources of calcium. Apart from this, dark green leafy vegetables also contain calcium. If you are a pregnant woman, then you must consume plenty of them during pregnancy. Calcium is added to some foods, including calcium-fortified cereals, bread, orange juice, and soy beverages.

Thus meet the target of 1000 mg

To reach the 1,000-milligram target, you'd need to do something like drink 3 cups of milk or calcium-fortified orange juice, or choose a cereal with 1,000 milligrams of calcium. If you have a milk allergy or are a vegetarian, it may be difficult for you to get enough calcium from food. If you don't get enough calcium from food, your doctor may recommend a calcium supplement.

Calcium supplements come in two forms

Calcium is available in two forms namely carbonate and citrate. You can take it at your convenience. Calcium carbonate is inexpensive and you can easily take it with food. Calcium citrate is taken with food or on an empty stomach. Many types of calcium supplements also contain vitamin D, which helps your body absorb more calcium.

Calcium is needed even after delivery

Even after delivery, the mother needs calcium. The mother also needs calcium during breastfeeding. Research shows that when a mother breastfeeds, about 3 to 5 percent of calcium is removed from her bones. But once you stop breastfeeding, you can regain lost bone mass through a balanced diet.