Your baby takes calcium from your bones if you don't get enough
Your baby builds their entire skeletal system during pregnancy — drawing calcium directly from your body. If your dietary calcium intake is insufficient, your baby will take calcium from your bones, increasing your long-term risk of osteoporosis. Adequate calcium also reduces the risk of preeclampsia (dangerous high blood pressure in pregnancy) — a landmark WHO trial showed high-dose calcium supplementation reduced preeclampsia risk by 55% in high-risk women.
Pregnant women who don't consume 3–4 servings of dairy or fortified foods daily. Especially important for women who are lactose intolerant or vegan.
1,000 mg calcium daily total (from food + supplements). Split into 500mg doses for better absorption. Take with vitamin D3 (1,000 IU) to enhance absorption.
Calcium needs are highest in the third trimester when fetal bone mineralization is most rapid.
Constipation at high doses. Take calcium carbonate with meals (requires stomach acid); calcium citrate can be taken anytime.
Do not take calcium and iron supplements together — they compete for absorption. Space at least 2 hours apart. Avoid calcium supplements at very high doses (above 2,500mg/day).
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