The Truth About Calcium Requirements During Pregnancy

Pregnant and looking to follow a healthy diet full of the proper amount of calcium and vitamins to meet baby and mommy’s needs? Read more.

The human body is capable of doing amazing things. The whole miracle of life and the fact that your pregnant body can provide all the necessary nutrients baby needs even when YOU don’t get the recommended intake of vitamins or are too nauseous to eat well during pregnancy.

Related: 25 Ways to Treat Morning Sickness

But this of course has consequences for the expectant mom who needs to take care of herself to be able to handle the wide-array of physical changes and symptoms that arise during pregnancy.

Not only does she need stamina and energy to get through the day to support a growing baby inside her, but she also needs a variety of vitamins and minerals to support her own body’s needs. One of these essential minerals is calcium.

Why calcium is so important for pregnant women

Calcium is a key building block of strong bones in the body. It’s essential for bone production, teeth, muscles and heart.

But according to statistics, approximately 68% of women are calcium deficient.

That’s the MAJORITY of women out there!

While it’s important to remember to get the proper amount of calcium your body needs, you don’t need extra calcium during pregnancy.

Most doctors recommend consuming 1000 mg of daily calcium during pregnancy to support the growth of baby’s bones, teeth, heart, nerves and muscles.

What happens when you don’t get enough calcium during pregnancy?

If a mom does not get enough calcium in her body, baby will start drawing calcium and other nutrients from mom’s bones — putting her own bone health at risk.

So if you’re suffering from aches and pains throughout your body, bruising easily or experiencing brittle nails and teeth, lack of calcium may be the culprit. You should also check with your doctor for their recommendation as well and to get a full understanding of where your calcium levels are at.

Those weak bones and joints can also make a pregnant mom more susceptible to injuries and simply prone to degenerative disorders like rheumatoid, arthritis and osteoporosis in the future.

Calcium-rich foods

It’s important to increase your calcium intake through calcium-rich foods throughout the day as well. While milk is a great start it’s important to find a variety of calcium sources including:

• Milk
• Orange juice (fortified with calcium)
• Yogurt
• Eggs
• Tofu
• Salmon
• Kale
• Cereals (also fortified with calcium)
• Spinach

Calcium and your prenatal vitamin

Did you know that most prenatal vitamins only provide 20-30% of recommended daily calcium? That means if you’re not getting enough calcium from your food choices or due to nausea, you’ll need a good supplement.

If you’re unsure which calcium supplement to choose, speak to your doctor.

Many OB/GYNs recommended a calcium supplement like Viactiv Calcium Soft Chews, which also contain Vitamin D. Because in addition to calcium, a healthy pregnancy requires getting enough Vitamin D, folic acid, rest and more calories from a healthy diet.

The Viactiv brand makes a delicious, easy alternative to some of those larger calcium pills that are tough to swallow. The chocolate or caramel chews are 500 mg of calcium so can be taken as needed (up to 2x daily).

I love the sweet taste of the caramel flavor which is a nice surprise to find in a pregnancy supplement. It makes getting the proper amount of calcium much easier so mommy and baby can be healthy and happy!

Which flavor would you prefer in a calcium supplement during pregnancy?

Look for Viactiv – the BEST CALCIUM SUPPLEMENT at your local pharmacy or BUY HERE.

You can also learn more about the #Viactiv brand and #BumpUpYourCalcium on their social media channels here:

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Viactiv Calcium Soft Chews are available in milk chocolate or caramel flavors at major retailers including CVS, Rite Aid, Target, and Walmart, as well as supermarkets nationwide.
Learn more about Viactiv and pregnancy here.

This is a product-provided, sponsored conversation on behalf of Viactiv that contains affiliate links. I received Viactiv Calcium Soft Chews for my own personal use. This post is not intended to address or diagnose any medical conditions. All opinions, text and experiences are my own. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing or planning on becoming pregnant, speak with your healthcare provider if you have any specific health questions or prior to taking any dietary supplements.