What is the calcium requirement during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, women need sufficient nutrition and calcium in all aspects of their body to ensure the absorption of nutrients by the fetus. The demand for calcium during pregnancy is different. Generally, the calcium requirement during early pregnancy is 800 ml per day. As the fetus grows, calcium supplementation needs to be gradually increased. You can also eat more foods high in calcium, which is better for your body.

What is the calcium requirement during pregnancy?

Calcium intake during 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 mothers is the same as that of ordinary adults. Drinking 250 ml of fresh milk or yogurt every day can provide 250 mg of calcium. Combined with the calcium provided by other foods and getting more sun exposure, it can generally meet the body's daily calcium needs. No additional calcium supplementation is required.

Calcium supplementation during pregnancy is also one of the important tasks for pregnant mothers.

Calcium intake during the 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.

Calcium intake in 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 sunlight between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when the ultraviolet rays are the strongest.

1. Fetal calcium deficiency

A fetus deficient in calcium is prone to rickets such as rib beading, pigeon chest or funnel chest. After birth, it is also very likely to suffer from skull softening, square skull, abnormal closure of the anterior fontanelle, and congenital laryngeal cartilage softening in the newborn, causing snoring. This is because when the newborn inhales, the congenital cartilage curls up and contacts the larynx, easily blocking the entrance of the larynx and causing snoring, which is very detrimental to the health of the newborn.

2. Pregnant mothers are calcium deficient

If the mother is severely deficient in calcium, it can cause muscle spasms, calf cramps, convulsions or numbness in the hands and feet, and can also lead to osteoporosis in expectant mothers. In addition, calcium deficiency also manifests itself in symptoms such as dizziness, anemia, gestational hypertension, loose teeth, weakness in the limbs, and back pain.

3. Excessive fetal calcium

Excessive calcium supplementation during pregnancy will cause calcium to precipitate in the walls of the placenta blood vessels, causing placental aging and calcification, and a decrease in the secretion of amniotic fluid. This is not conducive to fetal development and can damage the fetal's facial appearance and make the baby's head too hard. A head that is too hard can also prolong the labor process and threaten the baby's health. The baby also cannot get adequate nutrition and oxygen provided by the mother.