calcium supplement

January 15, 2009 10:33 AM

1) Can someone recommend a good calcium supplement (the ones with chocolate preferable) to be taken during pregnancy. 2) At which trimester should calcium supplements be taken ? 3) Does age have any relevance to the amount of calcium to be taken during pregnancy. My girl friend is in her mid 30's. Does she need more than normal ?
posted by tom123 to health & fitness (10 comments total)

Her OB/GYN should be able to answer this for her. You want to make sure she gets plenty of vitamins, but they are monitored by a doc. For example, to much Vitamin A causes birth defects. She's also got to get plenty of folic acid.
posted by pokeedog at 10:46 AM on January 15

My family has had a lot of pregnancies, and all my siblings and my parents have taken prenatal vitamins, given by the doctor or found in the drugstore.
posted by Night_owl at 10:53 AM on January 15

My OB didn't discuss calcium with me, but the chiropractor I saw for back pain recommended that I seek out calcium citrate or calcium lactate rather than calcium carbonate. I wasn't able to find those formulations in chocolate. I was told to take the standard adult dosage, during all trimesters (I am also mid-30s). Your girlfriend's doctor might tell her differently based on the condition of her bones specifically, so it would be wise to ask.
posted by xo at 11:03 AM on January 15

I'm older than your girlfriend and I didn't need to take any additional calcium when I was pregnant last year - I just took my usual caplet a day, plus a prenatal vitamin.

I did make sure to have some dairy or other calcium-containing food most days (dark green leafy vegetables have calcium, too), though.
posted by pinky at 11:07 AM on January 15

Your GF should really be asking her OB these questions. Different docs will have different opinions on what supplements she should be taking, and they will often change their recommendations based on her bloodwork. FWIW, my wife is pregnant and she is taking prescription pre-natal vitamins. Her OB also recommended Tums as a good way to get calcium and deal with her indigestion.
posted by gnutron at 11:39 AM on January 15

IANAD. But IMHO any woman in her mid-30s should be taking calcium supplements anyway, unless she is really good about ensuring her diet is chock full of it. But yes, ask OB what he/she recommends, check and see how much of the RDA is in her pre-natal vitamins (she is taking them, right!), and supplement as necessary. I don't think Calcium is one of the supplements you can really OD on, like Vit A, so no need to get fearful, just try some out and ask about it at the next pre-natal visit.

I used to eat Viactiv chocolatey calcium supplements that are like chewy caramels, but I got fed up with just how chewy they are. Now I eat fruit-flavour Rolaids (prefer them to Tums) for my calcium supplements.
posted by Joh at 11:57 AM on January 15

For the most part, the baby will get all the calcium it needs from the mother's body whether or not she takes supplements. The body is really good at keeping its blood calcium level stable, so the baby won't be getting more or less calcium if the mom does or doesn't take a supplement. However, the reason the body is so good at keeping blood calcium stable is that it has a big reserve to draw from - the bones. If the mom's not getting enough dietary calcium, her bones will get weaker as calcium is drawn out of them to meet her own metabolic needs and to supply the baby. Like any calcium deficiency, this can cause bone problems like osteoporosis.

I only tell you that because I thought it was pretty fascinating in my nutrition class a couple months ago. The real advice is SEEK THE ADVICE OF A DOCTOR. During pregnancy some nutrients need supplementation and others present a risk to the baby if supplemented. This isn't something to ask the internet and cross your fingers about.
posted by vytae at 12:14 PM on January 15

Just a note - don't buy the biggest bottle. Calcium supplements can have some unintended gastro-INTESTINAL consequences. This may be relieved a bit by changing the type of supplement.

Unless your girlfriend is really inclined to start practicing pushing out things that don't want to leave, you want to ramp up calcium gradually.
posted by 26.2 at 12:30 PM on January 15

Speak with your doctor, not random strangers on the internet, about the health of your girlfriend and the fetus. I recommend this for when the fetus becomes a baby, too.
posted by gramcracker at 4:28 PM on January 15

Don't take calcium supplements without checking with your doctor. Calcification of the placenta can take place and the baby won't get O2 and nutrients.
posted by k8t at 5:01 PM on January 15