When is the best time for pregnant women to start taking calcium supplements?

Nowadays, every family has only one child, and many parents have children when they are very old, so they attach great importance to their children. Parents also pay attention to pregnant women because they are afraid that the adults will be in poor health after giving birth and the children will not be so healthy either. Therefore, when pregnant women start calcium supplementation is a matter of concern to many families. Let us take a look at it together.

Generally, pregnant women should start taking calcium supplements from the 4th month (mid-pregnancy). In the early stages of pregnancy, the fetus is not yet developing significantly and the calcium required by pregnant women is similar to that of an average adult, so there is no need for special calcium supplements. Starting from the second trimester, the fetus develops rapidly, and pregnant women should take appropriate calcium supplements to meet the needs of fetal development.

1. Early pregnancy: 800 mg/day

The early pregnancy is the period of cell division and initial organ development and formation. The calcium requirement of pregnant women is the same as that of ordinary adults, and pregnant women do not need additional calcium supplements. But if your daily calcium intake is low, you can drink 250 ml of milk every day, eat more calcium-rich foods and get more sun exposure.

2. Second trimester: 1000 mg/day

During the rapid growth period of the fetus, the intake increases. Drink 500 ml of milk or yogurt every day. For pregnant mothers who are not used to drinking milk, you can supplement about 500 mg of calcium tablets every day, and eat some calcium-rich foods such as dried shrimps, bean curd, soybeans and green leafy vegetables. Generally, this can be achieved. At the same time, do some outdoor sports and enjoy sunbathing to promote the body's absorption of calcium.

3. Late pregnancy: 1200 mg/day

As the fetus continues to grow, the demand for calcium increases further. Drink 500 ml of milk or yogurt every day, take 500 mg of calcium tablets, and eat some calcium-rich foods to get the required amount of calcium. Of course, don't forget the daily sunshine, which should be no less than one hour a day in winter and about half an hour in summer. Also, try to avoid the period between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when the ultraviolet rays are the strongest.

When is the best time for pregnant women to start supplementing calcium? After reading the above introduction, everyone should be clear. It is important for pregnant women to supplement calcium and maintain their health, but the method of maintenance is also very important. Everyone should not use some folk methods. Many folk methods have no medical basis. They are only used by the older generation. It is easy to cause some adverse reactions when used on people today.