calcium

dsamgour@netscape.net

So I was just wondering if anyone knew how much calcium is in their prenatal vitamins.  My vitamins seem very low 100mg?

KimnCurt

I remember mine being low also. I take an extra calcium supplement.

sharrow

https://pregnancychildbirth.suite101.com/article.cfm/prenatal_vitamins

 

Are all prenatal vitamins the same?

It can be tempting to assume that "more" equals "better" when comparing types of vitamins and minerals included in prenatal vitamins. However, research shows that taking excessive amounts of vitamins can be just as harmful, if not more, as not taking any. What should you look for when you are choosing a prenatal vitamin?

Below is a list of the Dietary Reference Intakes as recommended for pregnancy by the Food and Nutrition Board, National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine (1998) to help you get started.

Calcium - 1300mg (under age 19), 1,000mg (over 19)

Phosphorus - 1250mg (under age 19); 700mg (over 19)

Iron - 30mg

Zinc - 15mg

Iodine - 175ug

Magnesium - 400mg (under age 19); 360mg (over 19)

Vitamin A - 800RE

Vitamin D - 5ug

Vitamin E - 10mg

Vitamin C - 70mg

Folic Acid - 600ug

Thiamin - 1.4mg

Riboflavin - 1.4mg

Niacin - 18mg

Vitamin B6 - 1.9mg

Vitamin B12 - 2.6ug

 

sydlc88

Mine are either 150mg or 250mg.  Either way it isn't even close to what you are supposed to get while pregnant.  My OB told me to take a calcium supplement as well that was at least 1000mg/day.  I think all prenatals fall short of the recommended calcium levels.

mfc2b4

The calcium is probably so low in the supplements because calcium inhibit the absorption of lots of other vitamins and minerals. If you don't get much from your diet, taking an extra supplement or two would be great.

momquixote

I'm not sure off the top of my head, but I try to buy OJ with calcium and drink/eat lots of dairy (for the protein too).

I am supplementing my magnesium though, once I started to get horrific night leg cramps!