Pregnancy marks a very important milestone in a woman’s life. It’s a beautiful journey, but what makes it
doubly beautiful is that two lives are being nurtured –- the mom and the baby. Hence, nourishment for
both is a priority, as insufficient supply of nutrients can be detrimental to health. One of the most important
minerals for pregnant moms is calcium. It aids in the development of vital structures of the growing baby.
It also helps the mom avoid pregnancy complications which can pose a serious risk to her health. In many
ways, calcium is a necessity for a healthy pregnancy.
Calcium for Mom and Baby
For the growing baby, calcium coming from a mother’s body helps in the development of bones, teeth,
muscles, and nerves. Calcium plays a vital role for the baby’s skeleton to fully develop. But for a mom to
be able to provide calcium for the growing baby, she has to have enough supply of that mineral in her
body. There has to be a sufficient amount of that mineral, enough to nourish her body and the growing
baby inside her tummy. Know that whether or not a mom has enough calcium, her body automatically
“shares” it to the growing fetus. The baby will always “get” calcium from the mother, even if she is calcium
deficient. Hence, any deficiency of such nutrients can adversely affect the health of the mom and the
baby.
Hypocalcemia
Hypocalcemia can happen to pregnant women. It is a condition wherein the body has insufficient levels
of calcium in the blood. Often, this is an offshoot of low calcium production or insufficient calcium
circulation in the system. Hypocalcemia is also often related to a magnesium and vitamin D deficiency.
Infants whose bodies aren’t fully developed yet because of calcium deficiency are also at risk of this
condition. This is especially true for babies born from diabetic mothers.
Effects of Calcium Deficiency On Pregnancy
Deficiency in calcium amongst pregnant women often leads to a number of complications –- both for the
mother and the baby. Some of these are the following:
*Bone health
Calcium normally drops during pregnancy because the body is feeding two people, the mom and the
baby. Some physiologic changes during pregnancy include an increase in red blood cells and a decrease
of micronutrients like calcium. Poor diet plus these bodily changes often result in calcium deficiency which
can adversely affect the bones. Since bones are basically made of calcium, any deficiency of this mineral
greatly impacts bone and joint health. This is especially crucial to pregnant women because of the extra
weight that they need to carry. To be able to do this, they need strong bones and flexible joints.
*Hypertensive disorder
Insufficient calcium can also lead to preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy condition usually
manifested through high blood pressure, swelling of body parts (hands, legs, and feet), breathing
difficulty, and nausea. This usually happens 20 weeks into pregnancy. Studies show that calcium
supplementation prevents incidences of gestational hypertensive disorders like preeclampsia.
*Premature Delivery
Giving birth to a baby before 37 weeks of gestation is likely to happen to women who are calcium
deficient. Know that preterm labor can be risky because the baby isn’t fully developed yet. There’s a
possibility of developing prematurity conditions especially if the baby is diagnosed with poor immunity
–-often a result of not being fully developed yet.
*Low Birth Weight
Newborn babies who weigh less than 5 pounds are considered LWB (low birth weight). Poor pregnancy
nutrition and deficiency of body-building nutrients such as calcium mainly contribute to babies being born
with low birth weight. Babies with LWB are at risk of developing blood sugar problems, troubles in feeding,
and issues with internal organ functions. This is largely due to insufficient supply of calcium needed to
fully develop the body’s vital organs.
*Poor Fetal Growth
Maternal malnutrition marked by insufficient calcium supply contributes to poor fetal growth. It impacts a
baby’s skeletal mass and reduces the baby’s bone density and size. As skeletal development is often
linked to healthy bones, calcium supplementation for expectant mothers is highly advised.
Calcium Supplementation for Pregnant Women
Pregnant women need at least 1000mg of calcium daily. While calcium can be sourced from dairy foods
like milk and cheese, and green leafy vegetables, it may not always suffice one’s daily nutrient
requirement. Add to that the fact that human bodies cannot create calcium on their own. Hence, calcium
supplementation is strongly recommended.
Calcium + Vitamin D3 + Minerals (Calciumade) is a bone and joint supplement that contains calcium
for bone strength, vitamin D3 for calcium absorption, and other essential minerals like zinc, manganese
and magnesium for flexible joints. Formulated to keep the bone density healthy, Calcium + Vitamin D3 +
Minerals (Calciumade) with proper diet and exercise is ideal for pregnant and breastfeeding women who
need an extra supply of calcium.
To know more about calcium supplementation please have regular consultation with your doctor.
For more information about Calcium + Vitamin D3 + Minerals (Calciumade) and its health benefits,
visit our product page or message us on our Facebook page.
If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
ASC Ref No. U009P060721CS
Sources:
https://www.verywellfamily.com/calcium-needs-during-pregnancy-4580491
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6206424/
http://omjournal.org/articleDetails.aspx?coType=1&aId=2395
https://www.healthline.com/health/hypocalcemia#:~:text=Hypocalcemia%20is%20a%20condition%20in,n
eeds%20calcium%20to%20function%20properly.
https://www.webmd.com/baby/preeclampsia-eclampsia#1
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1365-3016.2012.01274.x
https://www.webmd.com/baby/get-the-calcium-you-need-during-pregnancy#1
