When To Stop Taking Calcium Tablets During Pregnancy?

While you diligently have your medications on time during pregnancy, its wise not to mix one with the other. – I am a 29 year old women and I learnt about my pregnancy just a fortnight back. My doctor has advised me to have folic acid, calcium and iron supplements daily. Now, I haven’t had pills for any ailment in the past and find it difficult to remember to take the pills on time.

To avoid skipping medications I started taking all the three pills at one time in the morning. But recently my mother-in-law told me that I shouldn’t be having iron and calcium medication together? I want to know why is it so? The three most important pills that you would be taking during your pregnancy are foilc acid, calcium and iron.

Though your folic acid intake might be stopped a little after your second trimester, you would be advised to take your calcium and iron doses post delivery too. It is better you make a habit to pop those pills on time. Remember all these three pill have a definitive role to play in fetal wellbeing.

Like, Folic acid: This helps in fetal brain and spine development. Deficiency of folic acid can lead to neural tube defects or malformation of the spine in the developing baby known as spina bifida it has a life-long impact on the child. Calcium: Proper intake of calcium will help in development and strengthen the overall skeletal structure of the baby.

Calcium is also important for proper bone strength of the mother too. Iron: Iron will help you to up your hemoglobin levels and help in organ and cell development of the baby. Now it is important that you take your medications as prescribed on time. While you can choose to take your folic acid either in the morning or at lunch, never mix calcium with iron.

Space the two medicines well apart. Because if you have calcium and iron together, calcium would interfere in iron absorption by the body. This could have an adverse effect on the fetus. Hence to make sure that your baby gets all the benefits of the medications that you are taking, avoid popping all the pills at one go.

To make it easy, keep one strip of your medication in your bag while you are on the go and one at home. Keep an alarm set on your smart phone to help you remember the same so you don’t miss your doses. Also write on your phone calendar as soon as you pop a pill this will help you keep track of your medication intake well.

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When should I stop taking calcium during pregnancy?

What to Know About Calcium Supplements – If you’re allergic to milk, are lactose intolerant, or are vegan, getting enough calcium from food can be difficult. If you don’t get enough from food, your doctor may recommend a calcium supplement. Pick the type that works for you, Calcium supplements come in two forms: carbonate and citrate.

Calcium carbonate is less expensive and works best if you take it with food. Calcium citrate works just as well with food or on an empty stomach,

Many calcium supplements also contain vitamin D, which helps your body absorb calcium. Limit to 500 mg at a time, To make sure your body absorbs the most calcium possible, take only 500 mg of calcium at a time. For example, this might mean taking a 500 mg supplement with breakfast and another with dinner.

Breastfeeding needs more calcium, too, You need to continue calcium supplements while you’re breastfeeding, Research shows you may lose 3% to 5% of your bone mass when you nurse because you lose some of your calcium through breast milk. Luckily, if you are careful to eat foods with calcium and take supplements as advised, you should regain that bone mass within 6 months after you stop breastfeeding,

Potential side effects, Supplements may make you feel bloated, gassy, or constipated, If they do, try taking the calcium supplement with food. Or talk with your doctor about taking a different type or brand of calcium supplement. Too much calcium may cause kidney stones and prevent your body from absorbing zinc and iron, which you need to stay healthy.
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What trimester is calcium most important?

Health Benefits of Calcium – A pregnant woman’s need for calcium goes up in the third trimester, when the baby’s skeleton is rapidly developing. “The fetal skeleton gets what it needs, no matter what, even if it has to leech essentials from its mother’s bones,” says Murray Favus, MD, director of the bone program and professor of medicine at the University of Chicago.
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Can I skip calcium tablets during pregnancy?

Abstract – The pregnant woman’s body provides daily doses between 50 and 330 mg to support the developing fetal skeleton. This high fetal demand for calcium in pregnancy is facilitated by profound physiological interactions between mother and fetus. The D-A-CH organization (which represents the German, Austrian and Swiss Nutrition Offices) and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the US recommend a daily consumption of 1000 mg calcium for pregnant and lactating women at an age over 19 years. The average consumption of calcium in western countries is about 800 mg in young women. Therefore calcium consumption in pregnancy should be encouraged, especially during the second and third trimester of pregnancy and during lactation. Proper calcium consumption can be attained by diet with healthy nourishment including 3-4 snacks of milk or milk-derived products such as yogurt and cheese and calcium-rich mineral waters. In these women calcium-supplementation in pregnancy is not necessary. In women with chronic autoimmunologic disorders, low-molecular-weight-heparin therapy during pregnancy, lactose intolerance or in women who prefer to skip milk and milk products due to personal preference the supplementation of 500 to 1000 mg calcium in addition to dietary measures is recommended. Calcium supplementation in pregnancy has been associated with a reduced risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension, but this effect is only seen in persons with a low basal calcium intake. There are reports in literature that calcium supplementation in pregnancy protects against low-birthweight in newborns, which is defined as a birthweight of < 2500 g or that calcium supplementation lowers offspring blood pressure thus helping to prevent hypertension in the next generation. These reports are either preliminary or are not applicable to the Swiss population or need confirmation. Therefore calcium supplementation is only recommended in order to achieve a daily uptake of at least 1000 mg/day in pregnant women.

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Can too much calcium affect pregnancy?

High blood calcium during pregnancy can be very dangerous to the baby, resulting in miscarriage rates that are 5-10 times higher than normal. – Hyperparathyroidism during pregnancy usually demands a parathyroid operation to help prevent loss of the pregnancy.
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Can I take calcium in third trimester?

Daily Requirements – Calcium needs vary by age—even during pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ( ACOG ) recommends that pregnant and breastfeeding moms aged 19 and over consume 1,000mg of calcium each day. Teen moms require a little more.
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What happens if fetus doesn’t get enough calcium?

What Is Hypocalcemia? – Hypocalcemia (hye-poe-kal-SEE-mee-uh) is when the level of calcium in the blood is too low. Calcium is a mineral that the body needs to build healthy bones and teeth. It also helps nerves, muscles, and the heart work well. A baby with low calcium can become very sick and also have problems with bones and nerves later if the condition isn’t treated.
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How do babies get calcium in the womb?

Calcium during pregnancy As a fetus’ body develops, calcium is essential for strong bones and a healthy heart. Babies take calcium from mothers’ bones if there is an insufficient amount in the food stream, so a well-rounded diet is particularly important to minimize risk for both mom and child.

It is such a fundamental part of your diet that while you’re pregnant, you have an intrinsic ability to absorb more calcium from food, particularly in the second half of pregnancy when bone development is rapid. Calcium also helps prevent bone damage while breastfeeding, when you need extra calcium for breast milk and your body is producing less estrogen to protect your bones.

Ample calcium during pregnancy is also proven to help protect you against osteoporosis later in life.
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What happens when you stop taking calcium supplements?

The risks of too little calcium – If you don’t get enough calcium, you could face health problems related to weak bones:

• Children may not reach their full potential adult height.
• Adults may have low bone mass, which is a risk factor for osteoporosis.

Many Americans don’t get enough calcium in their diets. Children and adolescents are at risk, but so are adults age 50 and older.
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What is the calcium requirement for a pregnant woman per day?

Introduction – Fetal growth places high demands on maternal calcium status, Although part of the demand is met by means of increased intestinal calcium absorption, adequate calcium intake by the mother remains important. Insufficient calcium intake poses risks to both fetus and mother. Fetal risks include restricted intrauterine growth, low birth weight, poor bone mineralization, and preterm birth, whereas maternal risks include hypertension and preeclampsia, Several trials have shown the beneficial effects of calcium supplementation in the prevention of preeclampsia, Recommended calcium intake varies between countries from 900 to 1200 mg/day, The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations recommend a dietary intake of 1200 mg/day of calcium for pregnant women and 1000 mg/day for non-pregnant adults (19–50 years old), In The Netherlands, the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) is 1000 mg/day for all adults, irrespective of pregnancy status, Diet is the main contributor to total calcium intake, Large differences in calcium intakes between countries have been linked with diversity in food habits and access to food, A WHO survey showed dietary calcium intake to be inadequate (< 1000 mg/day) among 89% of nulliparous pregnant women in developing countries, In view of the good availability and affordability of dairy products in The Netherlands, calcium intake might be expected to be adequate, and likewise in other Western countries. Nevertheless, in a previous Dutch study among pregnant women, mean dietary calcium intake of Dutch pregnant women was found to be just above 1100 mg/day with a standard deviation of 311, indicating that, assuming a normal distribution, one in every six women may have an intake below the estimated average requirement of 800 mg/day, Dietary calcium intake can be complemented with the intake of calcium-containing food supplements. The WHO currently recommends calcium supplementation as part of antenatal care for women with an inadequate dietary calcium intake to lower the risk of developing preeclampsia, To our knowledge, only a few studies analyzed total daily calcium intake from both food and supplement use, Moreover, these studies did not evaluate a large cohort in a Western country. It is also unclear to what extent calcium is advised or prescribed in Dutch clinical practice or how much elementary calcium is ingested from both diet and supplements by Dutch pregnant women. In a small survey, we found that 89% of the gynecologists ( n  = 18) and 10% of the midwives ( n  = 30) counsel their patients on calcium supplements. Most counseling (74%) was directed, toward pregnant women at high risk for preeclampsia. The main purpose of this study was to estimate total daily calcium intake from both food and supplement use among Dutch women during the early pregnancy. To this end, we used data from a population-based pregnancy cohort. Our study's second purpose was to evaluate the calcium content of currently used supplements. View complete answer

Can I take folic acid and calcium tablets together?

Can I stop taking CALCIUM+FOLIC ACID+IRON if I feel well? – To treat your condition effectually continue taking CALCIUM+FOLIC ACID+IRON for as long as your doctor has prescribed it. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you feel any difficulty while taking CALCIUM+FOLIC ACID+IRON.
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How many months calcium tablets should be taken?

Doctor’s response – Instead of saying that women stop absorbing calcium after 25, it would be better to say that women need calcium for different reasons after their 20s. The minute that some people hear that we stop absorbing something they think that means that it’s no longer needed.

• It’s imperative that everyone understand that we need calcium throughout our lifespan, but for different reasons.
• Calcium is the most abundant mineral in our body with 99% of it found in our bones and teeth,
• Most of our bone is built from infancy through our adolescent years.
• Depending on our genes, there can be small increases in bone mass between 20 and 30 years of age, as well.

Bone loss begins in mid-adulthood and increases considerably at menopause for women. Even when we stop building bone, we need calcium for other functions and to replace what is being lost each day. For this reason, there are daily Recommended Adequate Intakes set for calcium:

0 to 6 months – 210 mg 7 to 12 months – 270 mg 1 to 3 years – 500 mg 4 to 8 years – 800 mg 9 to 13 years – 1300 mg 14 to 18 years – 1300 mg 19 to 50 years – 1000 mg 51+ years – 1200 mg

The best way to meet your calcium requirements is through your diet, The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Guide Pyramid recommends that individuals 2 years and older eat two to three servings of dairy products per day. One serving is equal to:

1 cup (8 fl. oz.) of milk 8 oz. of yogurt 1.5 oz. of natural cheese (such as cheddar) 2 oz. of processed cheese (such as American)

There is also an abundance of calcium-fortified foods (fruit juices, cereal, and tofu) that will help you reach your calcium goals. If you are not able to meet your calcium requirements through food, taking a supplement would be necessary to reach your daily requirements. References Medically reviewed by Robert Bargar, MD; Board Certification in Public Health & General Preventive Medicine REFERENCE: “Regulation of calcium and phosphate balance” UpToDate.com
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What are the symptoms of excess of calcium?

Symptoms – You might not have signs or symptoms if your hypercalcemia is mild. More-severe cases produce signs and symptoms related to the parts of your body affected by the high calcium levels in your blood. Examples include:

• Kidneys. Excess calcium makes your kidneys work harder to filter it. This can cause excessive thirst and frequent urination.
• Digestive system. Hypercalcemia can cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting and constipation.
• Bones and muscles. In most cases, the excess calcium in your blood was leached from your bones, which weakens them. This can cause bone pain and muscle weakness.
• Brain. Hypercalcemia can interfere with how your brain works, resulting in confusion, lethargy and fatigue. It can also cause depression.
• Heart. Rarely, severe hypercalcemia can interfere with your heart function, causing palpitations and fainting, indications of cardiac arrhythmia, and other heart problems.

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Is it good to take calcium tablets everyday during pregnancy?

Key messages –

Adequate calcium intake during pregnancy is important in the prevention of pre‐eclampsia. A substantial proportion of pregnant women have a daily calcium intake below the recommended value, even in developed countries. Our findings, based on the best available evidence, provide support for advising calcium supplementation during pregnancy as it can cause substantial reductions in the incidence of pre‐eclampsia and related health care costs. It appears most efficient to advise calcium supplementation to all pregnant women, not subgroups only.

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Does calcium tablets increase fetal weight?

The effect of calcium supplementation during pregnancy on fetal and infant growth: a nested randomized controlled trial within WHO calcium supplementation trial – PubMed Objective: To evaluate whether prenatal calcium supplementation affects fetal and infant growth during the first year of life.

Methods: Ninety-one pregnant women and 159 mothers and their infants enrolled beginning before 20 weeks gestation, and women received daily supplements containing either 1.5 g calcium or placebo. Women were examined by ultrasound at 20, 24, 28, 32 and 36 weeks to evaluate fetal biometry. During the first year after delivery, sub-groups of infants born from mothers participating in the trial were examined to assess infant growth.

Anthropometric measurements of the infants were assessed. Mothers were inquired about lactation patterns, morbidities of the infants, separation from the mother, and admission to hospital. Results: Ultrasound measurements of fetal biometry did not show any differences between fetuses whose mothers received calcium supplementation during pregnancy and those who received placebo.

• Concerning infant growth, the mean weight and head circumference of infants born to calcium-supplemented mothers were similar to those born to placebo-supplemented mothers during the first year of life.
• The mean mid-arm circumference and mean length were significantly higher in the infants of the calcium group at sixth and ninth month, respectively.

But, at 12 months, there were no significant differences in any of the anthropometric measurements. Conclusion: Calcium supplementation during pregnancy of women with low calcium intake does not have a noticeable impact on fetal and infant growth during the first year of life.
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Do babies take calcium from your bones?

Pregnancy and bone health – During pregnancy, the baby growing in its mother’s womb needs plenty of calcium to develop its skeleton. This need is especially great during the last 3 months of pregnancy. If the mother doesn’t get enough calcium, her baby will draw what it needs from the mother’s bones.

Pregnant women absorb calcium from food and supplements better than women who are not pregnant. This is especially true during the last half of pregnancy, when the baby is growing quickly and has the greatest need for calcium. During pregnancy, women produce more estrogen, a hormone that protects bones. Any bone mass lost during pregnancy is typically restored within several months after the baby’s delivery (or several months after breastfeeding is stopped).

Some studies suggest that pregnancy may be good for bone health overall. Some evidence suggests that the more times a woman has been pregnant (for at least 28 weeks), the greater her bone density and the lower her risk of fracture. In some cases, women develop osteoporosis during pregnancy or breastfeeding, although this is rare.

• Osteoporosis is bone loss that is serious enough to result in fragile bones and increased risk of fracture.
• In many cases, women who develop osteoporosis during pregnancy or breastfeeding will recover lost bone after childbirth or after they stop breastfeeding.
• It is less clear whether teenage mothers can recover lost bone and go on to optimize their bone mass.

Teen pregnancy and bone health. Teenage mothers may be at especially high risk for bone loss during pregnancy and for osteoporosis later in life. Unlike older women, teenage mothers are still building much of their own total bone mass. The unborn baby’s need to develop its skeleton may compete with the young mother’s need for calcium to build her own bones, compromising her ability to achieve optimal bone mass that will help protect her from osteoporosis later in life.
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In which trimester is iron needed most?

Iron Requirements for Pregnancy – The body iron requirement for an average pregnancy is approximately 1,000 mg. Hallberg (1988) calculated that 350 mg of iron is lost to the fetus and the placenta and 250 mg is lost in blood at delivery, In addition, about 450 mg of iron is required for the large increase in maternal red blood cell mass,

1. Lastly, basal losses of iron from the body continue during pregnancy and amount to about 240 mg.
2. Thus, the total iron requirements of a pregnancy (excluding blood loss at delivery) average about 1,040 mg.
3. Permanent iron losses during pregnancy include loss to the fetus and placenta, blood loss at delivery, and basal losses, which together total 840 mg.

The total iron needs of slightly more than 1,000 mg are concentrated in the last two trimesters of pregnancy. This amount is equivalent to about 6 mg of iron absorbed per day in a woman who starts pregnancy with absent or minimal storage iron. This is a large amount of iron to accumulate over a 6-month period, especially when compared with the average total body iron content of 2,200 mg and the 1.3 mg of iron absorbed per day by nonpregnant women.

1. Although 450 mg of iron for red cell production must be supplied during pregnancy, a large part of this can subsequently augment iron stores after a vaginal delivery, when the red cell mass decreases.
2. The result is analogous to a postpartum injection of iron: serum ferritin levels will spontaneously increase within a few months after delivery in most women who develop mild iron deficiency during late pregnancy because of the iron that is released by the decline in red cell mass (Puolakka et al., 1980b; Svanberg et al., 1976a; Taylor et al., 1982).

Postpartum iron status is also improved by the decreased iron loss during this period: less than 0.3 mg/day is lost in human milk, and menstruation is rare in women during their first few months of lactation. The average blood loss during a cesarean delivery is almost twice that occurring with the average vaginal delivery of a single fetus (Pritchard, 1965; Pritchard et al; 1962; Ueland, 1976); the postpartum improvement in iron status may therefore be less complete after a cesarean delivery.
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What happens if we skip calcium and iron tablets during pregnancy?

What are the consequences of iron deficiency in pregnancy? – Iron deficiency anemia can make you feel tired and exhausted. Severe anemia can also lead to complications in pregnancy. For instance, it can weaken the mother’s immune system and make infections more likely.
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Is it good to take calcium tablets everyday during pregnancy?

Key messages –

Adequate calcium intake during pregnancy is important in the prevention of pre‐eclampsia. A substantial proportion of pregnant women have a daily calcium intake below the recommended value, even in developed countries. Our findings, based on the best available evidence, provide support for advising calcium supplementation during pregnancy as it can cause substantial reductions in the incidence of pre‐eclampsia and related health care costs. It appears most efficient to advise calcium supplementation to all pregnant women, not subgroups only.

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Should I continue taking calcium after pregnancy?

Tips to keep bones healthy during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and beyond – Taking care of your bones is important throughout life, including before, during, and after pregnancy and breastfeeding. A balanced diet with adequate calcium, regular exercise, and a healthy lifestyle are good for mothers and their babies.

Calcium. Although this mineral is important throughout your lifetime, your body’s demand for calcium is greater during pregnancy and breastfeeding because both you and your baby need it. The National Academy of Sciences recommends that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding consume 1,000 mg (milligrams) of calcium each day.

Calcium supplements during pregnancy: what should I take?

For pregnant teens, the recommended intake is even higher: 1,300 mg of calcium a day. Good sources of calcium include:

Low-fat dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, cheese, and ice cream. Dark green, leafy vegetables, such as broccoli, collard greens, and bok choy. Canned sardines and salmon with bones. Tofu, almonds, and corn tortillas. Foods fortified with calcium, such as orange juice, cereals, and breads.

In addition, your doctor probably will prescribe a vitamin and mineral supplement to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding to ensure that you get enough of this important mineral. Exercise. Like muscles, bones respond to exercise by becoming stronger.

Regular exercise, especially weight-bearing and resistance activities, are important. Examples of weight-bearing exercise include walking, climbing stairs, and dancing. Resistance exercises – such as lifting weights – can also make bones stronger. Exercising during pregnancy can benefit your health in other ways, too.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, being active during pregnancy can:

Help reduce backaches, constipation, bloating, and swelling. Help prevent or treat gestational diabetes (a type of diabetes that starts during pregnancy). Increase energy. Improve mood. Improve posture. Promote muscle tone, strength, and endurance. Help you sleep better. Help you get back in shape after your baby is born.

Before you begin or resume an exercise program, talk to your doctor about your plans. Healthy lifestyle. Smoking is bad for your baby, bad for your bones, and bad for your heart and lungs. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about quitting. He or she can suggest resources to help you.
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What happens when you stop taking calcium supplements?

The risks of too little calcium – If you don’t get enough calcium, you could face health problems related to weak bones:

• Children may not reach their full potential adult height.
• Adults may have low bone mass, which is a risk factor for osteoporosis.

Many Americans don’t get enough calcium in their diets. Children and adolescents are at risk, but so are adults age 50 and older.
View complete answer