What’s the best pregnancy calcium supplement?

When you discover you are pregnant, there may be a few lifestyle changes you need to take. The list of things you have to avoid may seem endless – alcohol, caffeine, soft cheeses, pate, raw or partially cooked eggs, raw or undercooked meat, game, liver. Some experts also recommend avoiding fish oil supplements. However, there are other supplements you need to start taking.

Folic acid, calcium and vitamin D are important, but with so many available on the market, what is the best pregnancy calcium supplement to take?

Firstly, calcium is vital to a healthy, functioning body. If you don’t think you are getting enough calcium in your diet, for whatever reason, a supplement is the next best thing.

Plus, calcium is an important nutrient in the whole process of pregnancy. Calcium deficiency in pregnancy can lead to:

• Your baby drawing calcium from your bones, leading to a weakening of the bones.
• This can cause bone health conditions later on in life, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis.
• Hypertension and premature delivery

Calcium also has a vital role in hormone secretion and blood clotting – an important aspect in pregnancy and childbirth.

Your midwife or GP should be able to help you make an informed choice when choosing the best pregnancy calcium supplement for you.

One option they may recommend is calcium citrate. This is a type of calcium supplement that is recommended for people who have delicate digestive systems. As your organs are moved up and around as the baby grows, you may start suffering from heart burn and acid reflux. Calcium citrate is recommended for people with these conditions – it is gentler on the stomach than some calcium supplements. Plus, it can be taken with or without food, which lends a certain flexibility.

Always remember to take your calcium supplement with vitamin D or magnesium – this will help the absorption of the calcium in to the body much better than on its own.

Pregnancy calcium supplements are good idea to take when breast feeding too – and a calcium-rich diet is recommended to be continued after weaning a baby too – it will benefit your bones much later in life.