Vitamin Supplements during pregnancy - Calcium

[NewMama80]

Hi all, does anyone have a reliable information on vitamin supplements? I don't eat dairy and have been recommended by my midwife to take calcium. I have been taking Raw Organic Prenatal Vitamins by The Garden of Life as a friend of mine, new mum, recommended. These only supply 15% Daily Value of Calcium. My question is - can I take another supplement on top of this? Also, my midwife saw the Vitamins that I take and advised against them as they also include Vitamin A. However, this is a natural Vitamin A rather than synthetic, which is not good for pregnancy. Any thoughts? Thank you

I would avoid extra vitamin A.
Can't you just get a different supplement? Try Holland and Barrett's

I wouldn't no.
I think they all the supps have around 15% calcium I think as you will get calcium from food - you don't need dairy for calcium.

Do you eat leafy green veg? Almonds? Bread?

Yes I eat fairly healthy - leafy greens are integral part of my diet, bread too, need to include more broccoli I think

You can get supplements which are just calcium, and add those?

You need 700mg calcium per day.

You can get calcium supplements (most contain Vit D also) usually about 400mg upwards.

Would you eat ready brek? Even made with water - a serving is 400mg.

Oranges, broccoli, almonds, bread, Pitta bread, spring greens all sources.

Google ‘bda food facts’ and have a look at the calcium food facts diet sheet.

Interestingly uk don’t recommend extra calcium in pregnancy however a lot of countries do. I definitely would try and get it in as best you can.

Are you actually deficient though? It reads as though your midwife just recommended it? Is it just because you don’t eat dairy? Some midwives are a bit dim about diet! If you aren’t actually deficient then I’d not worry.

Is it Beta Carotene in the vitamins as the Vitamin A source? That is safer than retinol which comes from meat sources

@Fivefoot - I eat Quakers porridge most days with almosd milk - will look up how much calcium is in it

@Megan - no, this is just midwife recommendation because I don't eat dairy

@dementedpixie - it is Beta Carotene

do you eat fish? tinned bony fish contains lots of bio available calcium.

My midwife prescribed something called AdCal-D3 as I need extra calcium due to previous back injury. It does have Vitamin D too but I’d ask your midwife x

@greeneelephantscarf - I like it, my husband doesn't like it much so didn't have it as often, but stocking up now ;)

@sbhf1987 - thank you for the tip x