Healthy Cheerful Q&A Women’s Health Pregnancy & Prenatal Care

How should pregnant women supplement calcium and how much calcium should they supplement?

Asked by:Loki

Asked on:Apr 03, 2026 04:06 AM

Answers:1 Views:495
  • Snotra Snotra

    Apr 03, 2026

      How should pregnant women supplement calcium? How much calcium should be supplemented ? Pregnant women, in addition to meeting their own needs, must also provide fetus and baby required, so the calcium requirement should be increased. The Chinese Nutrition Society recommends that the first 3 months of pregnancy are the same as before pregnancy, with a requirement of 800 mg. As the fetus develops, the dosage is 1000 mg in the second trimester (4-6 months), 1500 mg in the third trimester (7-9 months), and 1500 mg in the nursing period.

      However, women often experience calf cramps during the 6th month of pregnancy. Many people believe that this is caused by calcium deficiency in the body. Therefore, some pregnant women take large amounts of calcium tablets. However, taking too much calcium tablets may not only cause premature closure of the fetal cranial sutures, leading to dystocia, but may also cause premature aging of the placenta, causing fetal dysplasia. In addition, the huge Uterus Compression of pelvic blood vessels and ureters, combined with high calcium urinary tract, increases the risk of urinary tract stones. Furthermore, excessive calcium intake is not conducive to the absorption and utilization of other trace elements such as iron, zinc, magnesium, and phosphorus, especially iron, which can easily cause anemia . Hypercalcemia may also reduce the bioavailability of zinc. When the daily calcium intake is close to 2000 mg, the absorption rate of zinc drops from 24% to 3%. When the ratio of calcium to magnesium in the blood is greater than 5, magnesium deficiency will occur, which will also affect the development of the fetus.

      Therefore, pregnant women should take appropriate calcium supplements, and pay special attention to the balance between trace amounts and calcium supplements, otherwise it is easy to focus on one thing and lose the other. Pregnant women can get supplements after 5 months of pregnancy by appropriately choosing some calcium-rich foods such as milk and soy products. 》》》 What is the best drink for women in spring? 3Soup