4 main symptoms of calcium deficiency during pregnancy

Calcium during pregnancy

Calcium is a biologically significant macronutrient necessary for full human life. Most of the mineral (98–99%) is contained in bone and cartilage tissue. The remaining percentage of calcium is involved in many important processes in the body:

• transmission of nerve signals;
• blood clotting;
• cell activity;
• muscle contractions, etc.

The mineral is necessary for:

• proper functioning of the heart and blood vessels;
• gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, uterus;
• maintaining normal weight.

Recent scientific evidence has confirmed that sufficient calcium intake reduces the risk of developing cancer by 25%.

During pregnancy, especially in the second half, the female body’s need for this mineral increases sharply. At this time, the fetus actively increases skeletal and muscle mass. The child takes calcium from the mother’s body, so it is important for a woman to replenish her reserves of this mineral daily.

A pregnant woman needs to replenish her body's calcium reserves daily.

The role of the mineral for the health of the expectant mother and fetus

A pregnant woman needs calcium for:

• beauty of teeth, nails, hair, skin;
• strengthening the nervous system;
• prevention of allergic reactions;
• preventing large blood losses during childbirth;
• reducing uterine hypertonicity;
• eliminating night cramps;
• reducing blood cholesterol;
• normalization of blood glucose levels.

A child needs calcium to form:

• skeleton;
• nervous system;
• internal organs and tissues;
• ears, eyes, teeth, nails.

What are the dangers of calcium deficiency?

According to statistics, about 17% of pregnant women experience calcium deficiency. This is fraught with the following problems:

• tooth decay;
• dryness and flaking of the skin;
• hair loss

If you do not take any measures to enrich the expectant mother’s body with calcium, then after childbirth the situation gets worse:

• a woman’s appearance suffers;
• osteoporosis (decreased bone density) may occur;
• symphysitis develops (divergence of the pubic bones);
• late gestosis (toxicosis) occurs;
• preeclampsia appears (swelling and high blood pressure);
• cataracts develop (clouding of the lens of the eye);
• Arterial hypertension (increased blood pressure) occurs.

Children born in conditions of deficiency of this macronutrient often suffer from rickets. This is a disease that is characterized by improper formation of the skeleton. In addition, the child’s brain may function poorly, problems with the nervous system and blood circulation may arise. Such babies do not gain weight well, their teeth erupt later, and their hormonal levels suffer.

How much calcium do you need per day?

The norm for calcium intake for a pregnant woman, approved by the Ministry of Health, is 1100 mg per day in the second half of pregnancy. It is assumed that in the early stages the need for the mineral remains within 800 mg, subject to a properly balanced diet and the absence of bad habits. At the beginning of pregnancy, the baby needs about 10 mg of the mineral per day, and from the second trimester this need increases sharply to 250–300 mg.

Calcium is also found in ordinary water.

The maximum daily dose of calcium for pregnant women should not be higher than 1500 mg. An overdose can lead to mental and physical disorders in the development of the child, and for the expectant mother there is a risk of constipation. A large amount of calcium interferes with the absorption of equally valuable elements such as magnesium, zinc, etc.

During pregnancy, the rate of absorption of all nutrients doubles. Therefore, if a woman does not have symptomatic or clinical signs of calcium deficiency, then taking it just in case is not necessary, and even dangerous.

Foods High in Calcium

Minerals are better absorbed from natural products than from those made synthetically. A reasonably designed diet will allow a pregnant woman to avoid taking medications. There are many foods rich in calcium:

• dairy;
• nuts;
• green vegetables;
• greenery;
• fish and seafood, etc.

Knowing which foods have a high calcium content, you can correctly plan the menu for a pregnant woman.
The most preferable dairy products are the following:

• cottage cheese (120–164 mg per 100 g, depending on fat content);
• kefir (120 mg);
• yogurt (120–124 mg);
• acidophilus (120–124 mg);
• hard cheeses (up to 1300 mg).

The opinion that low-fat dairy products do not contribute to excess weight gain is incorrect - it’s just the opposite. Doctors recommend that pregnant women consume fermented milk of normal fat content - calcium is better absorbed from it.

In fact, all vegetables are calcium stores, except those that contain oxalic acid (sorrel, spinach, beets). This acid, combining with the mineral, creates insoluble salts that are difficult to absorb into the blood. It is preferable to make soup from vegetables, since during heat treatment some of the calcium is released into the broth. Oatmeal and semolina contain phytin, which removes calcium from the body. The following foods and dishes interfere with the absorption of the mineral:

• fat;
• smoked;
• salt;
• flour products;
• sweet soda;
• coffee, tea, cocoa.

Frequent stress also provokes intense removal of calcium from the body. Therefore, the expectant mother needs to remain calm.

Important: calcium is well absorbed in the presence of vitamin D and phosphorus in the body.

Walking in nature during the warm season will be an excellent source of vitamin D, and phosphorus is provided by fish when consumed regularly. Another important factor for good calcium absorption is physical activity. Depending on the characteristics of pregnancy, a woman should choose the optimal physical activity.

Walking in nature during the warm season will help nourish a pregnant woman’s body with vitamin D

What is it needed for?

In pregnant women, the need for calcium increases 2-3 times. Thanks to this microelement, the formation of bones and cartilage in the fetus occurs. In addition, the bones of the expectant mother herself are strengthened, because the load on them will increase throughout the entire gestation period.

If a woman does not have enough calcium, the child will take this element from her skeleton.

If the calcium deficiency is not replenished in time, the following negative consequences may occur in a pregnant woman:

• osteoporosis and osteomalacia;
• deterioration of the skin condition;
• changes in blood pressure;
• allergies;
• poor labor performance;
• bleeding.

Calcium ions regulate blood clotting, which will avoid bleeding during childbirth and the postpartum period.

The baby needs calcium for the full formation of:

The most common pathology in children with calcium deficiency is rickets, a disease that impairs the development and growth of bones and leads to skeletal deformities.

Watch this video and you will learn more information and the role of calcium for a normal pregnancy.

Indications and contraindications for prescribing calcium supplements

Only a doctor can make a decision about taking calcium supplements for a pregnant woman. The basis for prescribing calcium should be clinical and laboratory data, as well as specific symptoms. In general, pregnancy is an indication for taking the mineral. The drug can also be prescribed for the following pathologies:

• insufficiency of parathyroid gland function;
• rickets;
• allergies;
• bleeding;
• skin diseases (psoriasis, eczema, etc.);
• increased vascular permeability, etc.

The official instructions list the following as contraindications to taking calcium supplements:

• hypersensitivity;
• hypercalcemia;
• chronic diarrhea;
• severe hypercalciuria (a type of depression);
• calcium nephrourolithiasis (kidney stones);
• thrombophlebitis (a disease of the veins in the lumen of which thrombosis with inflammation occurs);
• thrombosis (blockage of blood vessels, preventing the outflow of blood);
• sarcoidosis (granulomas in the tissues of various organs);
• simultaneous use of cardiac glycosides (risk of arrhythmias);
• malignant tumors;
• atherosclerosis (damage to blood vessels);
• renal failure.

Signs of calcium deficiency and excess in the body

Calcium deficiency is manifested by the following indicators:

• feeling of “goosebumps” all over the body;
• night muscle cramps;
• tremor;
• pain in bones, muscles;
• increased fatigue, anxiety, excitability;
• rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath;
• increased sweating;
• insomnia;
• brittle nails;
• dullness of hair;
• intestinal spasms;
• disorders of appetite and stool, etc.

Excess calcium occurs when taken in the form of synthetic drugs in a daily dosage of more than 2000 mg. If food and water are rich in the mineral, then hypercalcemia occurs - a very dangerous condition for human health and even life. This syndrome is characterized by the following symptoms:

• loss of appetite;
• thirst;
• nausea;
• vomit;
• weakness;
• convulsions;
• azotemia;
• kidney and bladder stones;
• blood clotting disorder;
• weakened immune system, etc.

Diagnostics

In order to determine hypo- or hypercalcemia, a biochemical blood test is sufficient. Since it is always taken during pregnancy, the pathology is usually detected in a timely manner.

If there is bone pain, the doctor may prescribe densitometry. This is a test that allows you to evaluate the condition of your bones and detect osteoporosis.

Also pay attention to specific symptoms of calcium deficiency:

Calcium deficiency usually develops gradually and may not cause any specific symptoms.

Where to get calcium

After diagnosing calcium deficiency, the doctor prescribes a specific drug. There are a lot of calcium complexes. As a rule, calcium is not available in pure form, but only in the form of salt. Manufacturers often use the following compounds (the actual calcium content in parentheses):

• gluconate (9.3%);
• chloride (27.25%);
• carbonate (40%);
• citrate (21.05%).

There are other compounds, but they are less commonly used in pharmacology. This:

• lactate;
• phosphate;
• glycerophosphate;
• acetate;
• citrate.

Table: calcium supplements

Photo gallery: calcium supplements most often prescribed during pregnancy

Calcium D3 Nycomed contains the highest dose of calcium compared to other drugs

A complex calcium supplement is often prescribed to pregnant women.

Calcium gluconate contains a minimal dose of calcium

The role of the trace element

Calcium (Ca) is important for pregnant women in all trimesters. But a special role is assigned to it in the middle of pregnancy, when the fetus is actively developing and growing. The importance of an element for a child is determined by its functions:

• forms the musculoskeletal system;
• responsible for vision and other receptors;
• promotes the formation of nerve cells;
• is responsible for the baby's future intelligence and memory.

The substance also plays a key role in the mother’s body. The trace element is involved in the process of transmitting nerve impulses. If this process is disrupted, the expectant mother becomes familiar with neuralgic pathologies. With sufficient concentration, a pregnant woman can avoid such troubles as convulsive contractions of the limbs and uterine hypertonicity.

The element takes an active part in the process of blood clotting. This reduces the chance of bleeding. With enough Ca, blood flow improves. As a result, the baby receives all the necessary substances faster, and the mother’s well-being improves.

Reviews

I take Vitrum, but the doctor said that I need to drink calcium three times during pregnancy. Now I take Kalcemin, it contains calcium and magnesium and something else that helps to absorb this calcium, just look - there is Kalcemin simply, and there is Kalcemin Advances (it is not suitable for you, it is for joint pain). Try it - it’s very good, my nails got stronger with it, and my hair began to fall out less. You need to drink for 10-14 days, 1 tablet 2 times a day. The instructions say differently, but the doctor told me that this is the right thing, too much calcium is also bad.

valentine

https://deti.mail.ru/forum/v_ozhidanii_chuda/beremennost/kalcij_vo_vremja_beremennosti/?page=2

I was also prescribed Calcium D3 Nycomed. Saw. The doctor said that calcium cannot be fully absorbed from foods, and during pregnancy the need for it increases. Everything is fine, the child is healthy, thank God, the pregnancy proceeded without complications.

Irina

https://www.babyblog.ru/community/post/mamafood/1695373

I am writing as a dentist... the fact that you drink calcium is far from a fact that your teeth will not decay or something else. Firstly, calcium in its pure form is not absorbed in the body, and secondly, the same Calcium D3 nikomed may not be absorbed in the intestines due to the lack of necessary enzymes, etc. I drank only calcium gluconate at 22 weeks before giving birth, so that the bones of the womb strengthen, but as I had a discrepancy of 8 mm, it remained the same during childbirth. So there's no point. After 1.8 g, I noticed a relapse of caries under one filling, and that was because it was time to change it - more than 17 years have passed.)) It is better to eat a balanced diet so that calcium from foods enters the body, and not to be stuffed with chemicals, often counterfeit ones. Gynecologists mainly prescribe Calcium D3 Nycomed, you can drink it from 20–22 weeks. 1 t per day.

Veronica

https://www.baby.ru/community/view/73449/forum/post/523943977/?page=2#comments

Body signals that appear when there is a microelement deficiency

Leg cramps, unsightly brittle nails, barely alive hair, peeling skin, and dry skin are the first symptoms of calcium deficiency. But all this does not at all indicate that the expectant mother is inattentive to her health. In fact, one in five pregnant women experience deficiency symptoms in the final months of pregnancy.

This valuable element is usually lacking in those who eat foods that interfere with the absorption of calcium and contribute to its loss. These are sweets, white bread, semolina porridge, pasta. In this list we will also add everyone’s favorite coffee, cocoa, bran, spinach, fatty and salty foods, carbonated drinks.

Calcium hunger is more often found in blondes, smokers and those who either move little (in order for calcium to be absorbed by the skeletal system, you need to work your muscles!), or, on the contrary, overdo it with physical activity.

A woman will be able to guess on her own that the body is experiencing an acute deficiency of a microelement. The phenomenon has certain pronounced symptoms. First, nails begin to break, skin becomes dull, and hair seems lifeless.

At the next stage, the body will send signals from the inside in the form of:

• seizures;
• sensation of goosebumps on the skin;
• feeling of aching bones.

The situation is especially dangerous in late pregnancy. In this case, the risk of developing gestosis increases.

If you ignore the symptoms and do not start replenishing calcium reserves in a timely manner, then you may encounter more serious consequences:

• hair loss;
• dental diseases;
• the appearance of edema;
• skin problems;
• sleep disturbance;
• irritability.

If these symptoms appear, you should notify your doctor. He will give a referral for additional examination and, if the diagnosis is confirmed, prescribe treatment.

Calcium enters the human body through food. In the intestines, the element is absorbed into the blood. The process occurs both in the duodenum and in the rest of the small intestine. Calcium accumulates in bone and cartilage tissue (98%).

The normal level of calcium in the blood is 2.5 mmol/l. Vitamin D and lactose promote the absorption of calcium in the intestines. Animal fats (including cow's milk fat) and palm oil interfere with absorption.

Prevention

Prevention of the development of hypocalcemia is simple. The expectant mother needs:

• undergo preventive examinations during pregnancy in a timely manner and take all necessary tests;
• lead a healthy lifestyle (exercise, spend more time in the fresh air);
• eat right (avoid foods that “leave” calcium from the body, include foods rich in this microelement in your diet);
• promptly treat diseases of the kidneys, liver, and gastrointestinal tract.

Calcium deficiency is often observed in pregnant women, since the mother cannot always provide the norm for herself and the child. Starting from the 20th week, the doctor leading the pregnancy may prescribe calcium supplements as a preventive measure. Such recommendations should not be ignored.

Daily norm

For the full development of the fetus and the mother’s well-being, a regular supply of the element is important. When taking medications for a pregnant woman, it is necessary to remember that only ½ gram of the element is absorbed at a time. The combined use of calcium-containing drugs and diet can provoke the development of hypercalcemia.

The daily calcium requirement for pregnant women in any trimester is 1500 – 2000 mg.

To decide which calcium is better for pregnant women and which method to prefer, it is recommended to consult a leading gynecologist for advice. The examination will help determine the degree of imbalance of the element and determine the method of correcting it.

Symptoms

An expectant mother can recognize hypocalcemia by the signs characteristic of this condition. You should be concerned if one of the following symptoms is present:

• increased fatigue;
• insomnia;
• nervousness;
• lack of appetite;
• headaches and dizziness;
• numbness of the fingers, which over time transforms into cramps;
• muscle pain;
• blood clotting disorder (cuts bleed for a long time).

An expectant mother can determine that the body lacks calcium by its appearance. This condition leads to hair loss, it becomes dry and brittle, and nails also lose their healthy appearance. With hypocalcemia, the skin loses its elasticity, begins to peel off, and often expectant mothers with this diagnosis have teeth that deteriorate. With chronic hypocalcemia, increased blood pressure and arrhythmia are observed. Symptoms can have varying degrees of manifestation, sometimes this condition has no pronounced symptoms at all.

Diagnosis of hypocalcemia during pregnancy

Primary manifestations of hypocalcemia during pregnancy are a reason to consult a doctor. Only a specialist can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment, which eliminates any risks for the child. The following diagnostic methods will help determine a decrease in calcium levels:

• blood test (general, biochemical);
• Analysis of urine;
• densitometry;
• ECG;
• MRI of some internal organs.