My doctor has prescribed calcium supplements for me during my pregnancy. I just wanted to know the general guideline, how many calcium tablets should I take daily?
If you have thyroid or other conditions, you must space out your calcium and other pills carefully. My doctor made me take thyroid medicine empty stomach and calcium in the afternoon. Make sure to get your regular blood tests done so your doctor can adjust the dose.
Whatever tablets the doctor prescribes, do take them regularly because baby needs calcium. Alongside that, try to have a glass of milk daily, paneer, and ragi ghar pe. If you feel severe joint pain or muscle spasms though, call your doctor immediately.
The standard is usually one or two tablets daily from the second trimester, but it highly depends on your regular diet and blood reports. Your gynac is the best person to decide the exact strength you need. Don't self-medicate or copy anyone else's prescription.
I was wondering this too since we are planning to conceive soon! Do we need to start calcium alongside folic acid right away? I'll ask my doctor in the next pre-conception visit, better to be clear.
My doctor told me that our bodies can only absorb about 500mg of calcium at one go. So if you are prescribed two tablets, never take them together; keep a gap of at least 4-6 hours. Also, never take calcium and iron together as they block each other's absorption.
