We are accustomed to relating calcium with the teeth and bones only, but its function and importance in the body are not limited only to these. It plays an essential role in hormone secretion, contraction of muscles, and sustaining the standard heart rate.

The importance of calcium during pregnancy
Women are usually more prone to arthritis and osteoporosis due to a diet deficient in the required nutrients, especially calcium. During pregnancy, the fetus demands more calcium for the formation of its skeleton structure. If the mother is deficient in calcium, the calcium in her bones and teeth will get eroded to provide for the growing child.

Calcium requirements for a woman during pregnancy
Women belonging to the age group of 19 to 50 years require more calcium, which is around 1,000 milligrams each day. During the final trimester of pregnancy, the demand for calcium increases by 250-300 mg.

Even during the post-pregnancy period, one has to maintain this amount of calcium intake. Post-delivery, a woman’s body demands more calcium due to lactation, and calcium deficiency at this time can lead to prolonged labor and delayed recovery.

In an expectant mother, calcium has a significant role to play in the cardiovascular development of the fetus. A deficiency of calcium could cause an increase in the risk of high BP in the newborn, along with compromising on the bone mineral density of the baby.

Food sources that are rich in calcium
Milk and dairy products are the most easily found and familiar sources of calcium that we can include in our daily diet. Products like milk, soy milk (these are rich in antioxidants too), cereals (with calcium), yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese, almonds (these are also rich in omega 3), eggs, and green leafy veggies are all food items that are rich in calcium. These foods should be incorporated into a woman’s diet during pregnancy to avoid calcium deficiency.

Symptoms of calcium deficiency during pregnancy
Weak bones, muscle pain/cramps, and brittle nails are a few signs of calcium deficiency. In addition to these symptoms, dry skin could be observed.

Causes of calcium deficiency
Calcium deficiency is not something that can affect someone overnight. It can take months to show physical symptoms, so when a woman starts noticing the symptoms of calcium deficiency during pregnancy, she should know that the damage has already been done. There are a few causes that can lead to calcium deficiency during pregnancy:

• Less intake of calcium : One of the very basic causes of calcium deficiency during pregnancy is less intake of calcium over a long period.
• Dietary intolerance : It is possible that you are lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy products that can lead to a calcium deficiency as you limit or avoid consuming a whole group of calcium-rich foods.
• Genetic factors : Due to hereditary defects or mutations in the vitamin D receptor, you can develop vitamin D-resistant syndromes, which impact the ability of your body to absorb calcium.