In which months of pregnancy do you usually start taking calcium supplements?

Calcium supplementation is essential during pregnancy because the fetus's teeth and bones begin to develop during this period, and the pregnant woman's need for calcium also begins to increase. Because calcium is essential for the calcification of fetal teeth and bones, proper calcium supplementation is beneficial to the calcification of fetal teeth and bones. However, calcium supplementation is not something you can do casually. So, in which month of pregnancy is it scientific and reasonable to start calcium supplementation?

Why do we need calcium supplements?

1. In the second trimester of pregnancy, i.e. the three months of four, five and six, 1000 mg of calcium is needed daily, because the teeth and bones of the fetus begin to develop during this period, and the pregnant woman's calcium requirement increases by 200 mg. In the third trimester of pregnancy, i.e. the three months of seven, eight and nine, the daily calcium requirement reaches 1200-1500 mg. This period is the last period of calcification of the fetus' teeth and bones. The calcium requirement of pregnant women increases by 400-700 mg, nearly doubling, while the calcium intake in the diet is only about 400 mg. Half a pound of milk contains 250 mg, so there is still a shortfall of at least 550 mg of calcium. Therefore, it is more necessary to take calcium tablets to reach the daily required amount, which is beneficial to the calcification of the fetus' teeth and bones.

2. The calcium requirement during lactation is also 1200-1500 mg, which also needs to be supplemented.

3. Pregnancy and childbirth are special physiological periods for women, and the need for calcium is very high. It is generally recommended to take calcium supplements until the end of breastfeeding.

When to supplement calcium?

It is generally recommended to start taking calcium supplements three months after pregnancy, one pill a day, and two pills after six months. Until the end of breastfeeding.

How to supplement calcium?

1. Oral calcium tablets

2. Eat more foods that are rich in calcium or can promote calcium absorption.

For example: milk (human milk, cow's milk, goat's milk, etc.) is rich in calcium and is well absorbed; animal liver, egg yolk, fish, meat and beans are rich in vitamin D, which can promote calcium absorption, but the vitamin D in animals and plants must be converted into endogenous vitamin D through ultraviolet radiation before it can be used by the human body. Seafood such as kelp and shrimp skin are high in calcium; seaweed and cauliflower are also rich in calcium, and eating broad beans with the skin can improve calcium absorption; adding vinegar to bones to make soup can increase calcium, and fine vinegar spare ribs are also rich in calcium; frying the fish until crispy and eating it with the bones can increase the calcium content.

Therefore, it is more scientific to start calcium supplementation after three months of pregnancy. In life, many expectant mothers start calcium supplementation as soon as they become pregnant. This is not advisable. If you are really unsure about the time to supplement calcium, you can go to the hospital to consult a doctor and take calcium supplements according to your specific situation. Because everyone's physical condition is different, sometimes the time for calcium supplementation is also different. It cannot be generalized and lead to missing the best period for calcium supplementation.