Calcium

[CuteLittleToes]

I've just realised Pregnacare supplements don't contain calcium. I've read on their website the reason they don't put it in there but it wasn't convincing... Technically, calcium inhibits iron absorption (and iron is a bigger worry for me, as I don't eat meat), so maybe it is not such a bad idea not to include it (iron was not the reason they stated on their website though).

We still need to get calcium, and more of it when preganant, right? I'm not that concerned now as I guess in 1st trimester the increase in requirements is minimal, but what about later on when baby's sceleton gets bonier?

Has anyone noticed this and spoke to your mw about it? Did they recommend you should take separate supplements of it, or did they say you would be alright? Can they see calcium levels in blood test?

[atrcts]

I haven't discussed it with a midwife but I can't see why you can't increase your calcium (as well as your iron) naturally in the food you eat. For example, spinach and broccoli for iron, and yogurt, milk and cheese for calcium. One cup of milk is about 1/3 of the daily calcium recommended amount, so it's reasonably achievable.

OR you can supplement with extra calcium to balance the extra iron supplements you're getting in the pregnancy vitamins, and together with eating more iron rich foods, I can't see how you'd go wrong.

In my first pregnancy I ate loads of red meat and STILL was anaemic, and in this pregnancy I haven't eaten ANY red meat and have got anaemic again! So I'm taking ferrous sulphate (prescribed by GP) and am pretty sure you could do the same if you become anaemic. So whichever way you look at it, there is nothing to worry about, it will get covered one way or the other.

[ilovepowerhoop]

Can't you just eat more dairy or non-dairy sources of calcium rather than taking a supplement?

[CuteLittleToes]

I am not saying supplements is the only way to get calcium.

In the ideal world, we should get all our folic acid from food too, but we are still recommended to take a supplement as a back up. Same for calcium...

I don't really think I don't get enough of it. Just wanted to make sure I'm doing everything possible to keep the baby healthy and myself too.

[StuckOnARollercoaster]

I am a big believer in listening to your body. In the first trimester I was very obsessed with taking my pregnancy supplement, but as the pg has progressed I found that I would forget even though the tub is prominent in the kitchen... I normally hate milk and milk products but now in the last trimester I keep wanting chocolate milk or porridge so I figure its my body's way of ensuring I have calcium.
I think it's down to your own approach to health in your pg. If you feel that it's healthier to take supplements because your diet is poor then do it because it will allay your own fears and make you feel better, and ultimately that's what's important - that you feel you are doing the best for your body and baby. There is no definitive right or wrong way to approach your nutrition in pg.

[Fairydogmother]

I take sanatogen mother to be as they are the only ones I don't have an allergic reaction to plus they don't have iodine in them (I have a thyroid condition). They have 21% RDA of calcium so I make sure I have yoghurt, cheese etc daily.

Certainly my midwife was happy when she went through my diet and supplements so maybe have a chat with yours?

[BabyHMummy]

I am with stuckonarollercoaster listen to your body.

I have hyperemesis and unfortunately any sort of tablet triggers the moat horrific vomiting that i gave up with folio acid and everything as they just wouldn't stay down. I had a period of about 3 weeks where i craved macdonalds milkshakes (am dairy allergic so can't get it the normal ways) so assume my body was craving calcium as not only did i give in but i wasn't ill from them either...had to be chocolate though as strawberry and banana made me gag.

I have been eating dairy free yoghurts now i can keep food down to keep up some take of it. But when i went thru my does etc with mw she was happy.

Just be sensible. There is some evidence to support the iron thing but i don't think a huge amount of research has been done. If you do go down supplement route please make sure you get one that gives you vitamin d too as the body needs it to absorb the calcium

[HopefullA]

I also have abandoned my pregnancy care tablets as they made me feel awful. i still have my folic acid but im also just listening to my body and if im craving something then i have it.
Im drinking milk with dinner to avoid heartburn which helps loads and since im married to an indian, we eat curry alot, so lots of yoghurt with the meal and its perfect.

I have gone completly off salads where i used to get all my vitamins (makes me think im having a boy as my hubbie avoids salad too) so getting lots of root veggies in stews and veggie currys etc.

Good luck and try not to stress, your body will let you know what it needs

[Fakebook]

Vitamin D helps absorb calcium in your body more efficiently. Do you eat and drink dairy products? If you're taking vitamin D, you'll be okay with calcium as long as you are taking it in form of food occasionally.

[ananikifo]

What reason does it give on the pregnacare website? Calcium supplements tend to be big because of how much you need (many times more than iron or zinc, for example) so a pregnancy vitamin with a decent amount if calcium would be ridiculous to swallow.

I agree with others that you should just try to get enough calcium through food and drink but if you're really worried you could take a separate calcium supplement.

[ananikifo]

And they can't test your calcium levels. The level of calcium in your blood is very tightly controlled. If you don't take enough in your body takes it from your bones to make sure the blood levels are constant. Low or high blood calcium is a sign of a problem with the regulation system.

[Reiltin]

That's why I didn't take Pregnacare! The Boots or Tesco own brand supplements both have calcium in them.