Patient's question:
5 days until the due date, I've been taking Diqiao calcium tablets. It's said that taking calcium in the late stages of pregnancy can cause the baby's skull to harden, leading to difficult labor. But if I don't take them, I'm afraid the baby will be calcium-deficient. Caught between a rock and a hard place!! Assistance needed: I'm seeking advice on what to focus on taking during the late stages of pregnancy...Doctor's answer:
The fetus grows rapidly in the mother's body, making it a critical period for the development of limbs. During this stage, pregnant women should pay even more attention to a balanced diet. So, can pregnant women take calcium supplements in the late stages of pregnancy? Experts suggest: It is best not to take calcium supplements in the late stages of pregnancy, as it may lead to placental hardening and make it difficult for the baby to engage in the pelvis.Whether pregnant women need additional calcium supplementation in the late stages of pregnancy varies from person to person, as individual tolerance levels for calcium deficiency differ. Some pregnant women may not experience leg cramps even when they are calcium-deficient. Therefore, it is recommended to have a trace element test at the hospital. If there is no calcium deficiency, focus on dietary calcium intake and avoid blindly supplementing with calcium supplements like pills, as excessive calcium digestion may lead to premature placental fibrosis, as mentioned earlier. If you have a calcium deficiency, it is important to supplement with calcium to ensure the baby receives adequate calcium.
Throughout pregnancy, a pregnant woman needs 4 grams of calcium, with the majority accumulated in the first three months of pregnancy. During these three months, 1.2 grams of calcium should be supplemented daily. Milk is rich in calcium, with 1 kilogram of milk containing 1.2 grams of calcium. In developed countries, where people primarily consume milk-based diets, pregnant women rarely suffer from calcium deficiency. In China, if women consume only 250–500 grams of milk daily, their calcium intake may be insufficient. However, pregnant women have ample calcium stored in their bones, which can be mobilized easily. Additionally, pregnant women have increased calcium absorption, so first-time pregnant women generally do not lack calcium, and newborns will also not be deficient.
In the late stages of pregnancy, some pregnant women may experience leg cramps again. Supplementing with calcium can alleviate these symptoms. Generally, calcium supplementation can be approached from the following three aspects:
1. Drink 250 grams of milk in the morning and evening each day to supplement approximately 600 milligrams of calcium.
2. Eat more calcium-rich foods, such as bone broth, fish, and shrimp.
3. Supplement with calcium agents, preferably those that are easily absorbed. If sufficient calcium is obtained from the first two methods, additional calcium supplementation may not be necessary. Pregnant women who dislike drinking milk can supplement with 600 milligrams of easily absorbed calcium daily.