How much calcium do you need every day during late pregnancy?

Pregnancy is divided into different periods. In the late pregnancy, the baby needs more and more nutrition. At this time, the pregnant mother may suffer from calcium deficiency. Many pregnant women may experience leg cramps in the late pregnancy, which is a typical manifestation of calcium deficiency. Calcium supplementation also needs to be done in moderation. Blindly supplementing calcium will only cause excessive calcium supplementation. Of course, people can also achieve the purpose of calcium supplementation through food.

1. When should pregnant women start to supplement calcium?

The early pregnancy is the period when the embryo's tissues and organs are formed. The nutritional status of the pregnant mother is crucial to the continued growth and normal development of the fetus. At this time, the calcium requirement of pregnant women is roughly the same as that of normal people, so there is no need for special calcium supplementation. Calcium supplementation starts in the second trimester. At this time, pregnant mothers can eat some easily digestible foods, such as biscuits, steamed buns, toast, cakes, etc., and eat more water-rich vegetables and fruits to replenish water, vitamin C, B vitamins and inorganic salts such as calcium and potassium, which can reduce the feeling of discomfort during pregnancy.

2. How many months does pregnant women start to supplement calcium?

In the second trimester, starting around the fourth month of pregnancy, the pregnant mother's daily calcium requirement gradually increases to 1000-1200 mg. At this time, the amount of calcium contained in the daily diet can no longer meet the baby's growth needs, so the remaining calcium required must be obtained from calcium-containing foods or high-quality calcium supplements. The late pregnancy is the period of fastest fetal growth and development. Calcium intake should be increased by 700 mg per day, and pregnant mothers should eat more calcium-rich foods. At this time, the growth rate of the fetus begins to accelerate, and he needs calcium. However, the calcium content in the pregnant mother's daily diet cannot meet his requirements, so he "steals" it from the pregnant mother's body. During this period, pregnant women should match their nutrition according to their own physical conditions.

3. When should pregnant women take calcium supplements?

Pregnant mothers can start taking calcium supplements after three months of pregnancy, because the fetus's bones begin to grow at this time and the amount of calcium needed increases. During the 3rd to 7th month of pregnancy, the reference value for calcium supplementation is 1000 mg per day, including various foods; after the 7th month of pregnancy, it is recommended to supplement 1500 mg of calcium per day. But consuming too much calcium is not always beneficial to the body. If pregnant mothers take excessive calcium supplements, calcium will be deposited in the walls of the placenta blood vessels, causing placental aging and calcification, reduced amniotic fluid secretion, and a hard fetal head. In this way, the baby cannot get sufficient nutrition and oxygen provided by the mother. The hard head will also prolong the delivery process and threaten the baby's health. Therefore, calcium supplementation should be scientific, and you should never supplement calcium blindly or excessively. Calcium supplements are no longer needed after 36 weeks of gestation to avoid premature calcification of the fetal skull.

Pregnant women have different calcium supplementation needs in the four stages of early pregnancy, mid-pregnancy, late pregnancy and postpartum period. Early pregnancy: 800 mg per day. The early pregnancy is the time for cell division of the fertilized egg and the formation of initial developmental organs. The calcium needs of pregnant mothers are the same as those of adults. Second trimester: 1000 mg per day. The baby's nutritional intake increases during the growth phase in the uterus. You need to drink 500 ml of milk or yogurt every day, take a certain dose of calcium tablets every day, and eat more calcium-rich foods. This can generally be achieved. Sunbathing can promote the body's absorption of calcium.

Late pregnancy: 1200 mg per day. As the baby in the uterus grows, the nutritional needs increase. Drink 500 ml of milk or yogurt every day, take a certain dose of calcium tablets every day, and eat more calcium-rich foods to reach the required amount of calcium.