5 Best Calcium Supplements for Pregnancy: Doctor & Mom Approved
During pregnancy, you are not eating for yourself, but for your baby as well. Therefore, calcium is the most crucial nutrient to include as you are building for two. Understanding why calcium is a must-have nutrient in pregnancy and choosing the best calcium pregnancy supplement can make or break the nutritional deal.
This blog will break it all out for you while mentioning the best calcium tablets for pregnant women. Let’s start.
Role Of Calcium During Pregnancy
When you are expecting, your body works double shifts to build your baby’s bones, heart, teeth, nerves, and muscles. Calcium works like a primary building block for your baby’s development.
Did you know that your growing baby needs around 25 to 30 grams of calcium by the time they are born? Ever wondered where all that calcium came from? It came from your body’s calcium reserve.
If you do not consume adequate amounts of calcium via diet and calcium vitamins for pregnancy, your body will draw it from your bones and teeth, increasing the risk of osteoporosis.
Signs Of Calcium Deficiency
- Muscle cramp
- Leg spasm, especially at night
- Numbness or tingling in fingers and toes
- Increased risk of pregnancy hypertension
- Chances of complications during labor and delivery
- Long-term bone health conditions
- Dental issues (tooth decay, gum disease)
RDA Of Calcium
The daily requirement of calcium in pregnancy depends on your age and stage of pregnancy. According to leading health organizations, pregnant women need:
- Ages 19-50: Around 1,000 mg daily
- Ages 14-18: Around 1,300 mg daily
- Third trimester: According to some healthcare providers, you should take up to 1,200 mg daily
This increased requirement continues throughout breastfeeding, as your body needs to maintain adequate calcium levels for milk production while protecting your own bone health.
Natural Sources of Calcium
- Dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese)
- Leafy green vegetables (kale, collard greens, bok choy)
- Fortified plant-based milks (almond, soy, oat)
- Canned fish with bones (sardines, salmon)
- Tofu and tempeh
- Sesame seeds and tahini
Top 5 Calcium Pregnancy Supplements
1. Trimacare 2 & 3
Trimacare 2 (for the 2nd trimester) and Trimacare 3 (for the 3rd trimester) are known as the best pregnancy supplements because:
- It contains 20+ essential multi-micronutrients, such as calcium, L-methyl folate, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B complex, etc.
- It contains vitamin D and magnesium to maximize calcium absorption.
- Each tablet is enriched with an adequate RDA of calcium for trimester-specific needs.
- It is clinically formulated to minimize pregnancy discomforts like nausea and constipation.
- Comply with all the guidelines of the WHO and the ICMR.
2. Shelcal-500
A popular prescription calcium supplement in India. It contains:
- Calcium Carbonate (500 mg)
- Vitamin D3 (250 IU)
While effective in increasing calcium intake, calcium carbonate is less bioavailable and harder to digest. Many users complain of bloating, gas, and constipation.
3. Calcimax-P
This product contains:
- Calcium Phosphate
- Magnesium
- Vitamin D3
- Zinc
It’s a multi-mineral supplement and helpful in mild deficiencies, but it doesn’t offer trimester-based personalization or complete prenatal coverage.
4. Ostocalcium Plus
A chewable tablet with:
- Calcium Carbonate
- Vitamin D3
- Phosphorus
While easy to take, it’s mostly used for general bone health, not specifically tailored for pregnancy. It lacks support nutrients like Magnesium and Iron.
5. Supracal XT
This premium supplement offers:
- Calcium Citrate
- Vitamin D3
- Magnesium, Zinc, and Vitamin K2-7
Supracal XT doesn’t include pregnancy-specific nutrients like Folic Acid or DHA, so it needs to be combined with a prenatal multivitamin.
Trimacare 2 & 3: The Best Calcium Pregnancy Supplements
Trimacare 2 & 3 are clinically formulated nutraceuticals, designed for each trimester. It offers the best calcium absorption and contains 20+ essential MMN, such as Vitamin D3, Magnesium, K2, and Phosphorus for complete bone support.
Unlike other options, Trimacare 2 & 3 are gentle on the stomach and comply with all the regulations of the WHO and the ICMR. Trusted by doctors and loved by 1,00,000 moms.
Real Mom Story
“I used to get terrible leg cramps in my second pregnancy. With Trimacare 3, they were gone in weeks. Loved using Trimacare 3.” – Nivedita Sinha, Bengaluru
“The calcium pregnancy supplement I used made me feel constipated. My doctor recommended me Trimacare, which made me feel stronger and sleep better.” – Anjali Ramachandran, 3rd trimester mom.
Doctor Speak
“Trimacare is the only prenatal I’ve seen that doesn’t just add calcium—it builds a bone support system. My patients love it.” – Dr. Poonam G., Fortis La Femme.
Final Word
Choosing the right calcium supplement pregnancy is one of the most important decisions you'll make for your health and your baby's development. With proper calcium supplementation, with products like Trimacare 2 & 3, you're not just meeting today's nutritional needs – you're investing in a lifetime of strong bones and optimal health for both you and your child.
Consult your healthcare provider today and say yes to Trimacare 2 and 3 for your pregnancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
The daily requirement of calcium in pregnancy is around 1000 mg daily for adult mothers. However, for teenage mothers, it is around 1300 mg daily.
2. When to start taking calcium in pregnancy?
Most healthcare providers recommend starting calcium vitamins for pregnancy from the second trimester as the baby’s bone formation accelerates. However, always consult your healthcare provider before taking any calcium tablets for pregnancy.
3. Can I take iron supplements along with calcium supplements during pregnancy?
Never take calcium and iron supplements at the same time. Calcium can interfere with iron absorption. You should ideally keep a 2-hour gap between taking calcium and iron tablets during pregnancy to maximize benefits.
4. Which calcium is better: Calcium Citrate or Calcium Carbonate?
Calcium Citrate Malate is better as it is more bioavailable, gentle on the stomach, and is absorbed without the need for stomach acid.
5. Can calcium pregnancy supplements cause constipation or bloating in pregnancy?
Yes, if the pregnancy supplement contains Calcium Carbonate. Therefore, you should opt for prenatal vitamins that contain Calcium Citrate Malate, like Trimacare 2 and 3, to reduce the chances of constipation or bloating.
6. Is it safe to take a calcium supplement daily during pregnancy?
Yes, it is safe as long as you consume the recommended dosage and do not exceed the 1000 mg daily limit. Excess calcium can cause kidney stones and interfere with iron absorption.
7. How do I know I have a calcium deficiency?
If you have a calcium deficiency, then you would feel leg cramps, dental problems, brittle nails, and fatigue.
Pallavi Aggarwal
A Certified Nutritionist with a rich healthcare background in health journalism, the author has immense experience in curating reader-friendly, engaging, and informative healthcare blogs to empower readers to make informed pregnancy-related decisions.
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