I’ve tried the Fairhaven Health Peapod Cal-Mag Pregnancy & Lactation Supplement and **it’s fantastic**. It has the right balance of calcium and magnesium, which are **super important** during pregnancy. These elements help keep mom’s bones healthy and support the baby’s growth and development.
Calcium is an essential mineral that helps build strong bones and teeth. During pregnancy, the demand for calcium increases as the fetus relies on the mother’s calcium supply for its own bone development. However, many women struggle to get enough calcium from their diet alone, which is why calcium supplements are often recommended during pregnancy.
When it comes to choosing the best calcium supplement for pregnancy, there are a few critical things to consider. First and foremost, the supplement should contain the right amount of calcium to meet the daily recommended intake for pregnant women, which is around 1,000-1,300 mg per day. Additionally, the supplement should be easily absorbed by the body and free from harmful additives or contaminants.
We spent several hours researching and testing various calcium supplements to identify the ones that are safe and effective for pregnant women. In this article, we’ll share our top picks for the best calcium supplement for pregnancy, along with important information about how to choose the right supplement for your needs.
Best Calcium Supplements for Pregnancy
- Superior Performance Pick: Nature Made Calcium 600 mg with Vitamin D3
- Budget-Friendly Find: Fairhaven Health Peapod Cal-Mag Pregnancy & Lactation Supplement
- High-End Pick: Pure Encapsulations Calcium (Citrate) – Highly Absorbable – for Bone & Cardiovascular Support* – 180 Capsules
- Elite Pick: Viactiv Calcium Plus Vitamin D Supplement Soft Chews
- Wise Budget Buy: Rainbow Light – Food-Based Calcium
As we all know, calcium is an essential mineral for maintaining strong bones and teeth. During pregnancy, it becomes even more vital as it helps the baby develop healthy bones, teeth, muscles, and nerves. However, getting enough calcium from diet alone can be a challenge, and that’s where calcium supplements come in. In this article, we’ve rounded up the best calcium supplements for pregnancy that will help you meet your daily calcium requirements and support your baby’s growth and development.
Nature Made Calcium 600 mg with Vitamin D3
If you’re looking for a reliable calcium supplement to support your bone health during pregnancy, Nature Made Calcium 600 mg with Vitamin D3 is a great option.
Pros
- Contains 600 mg of calcium and Vitamin D3 to support strong bones and improve calcium absorption.
- Made in the USA with quality global ingredients, gluten-free, and no artificial flavors or colors.
- Verified by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) for ingredients, potency, and manufacturing process.
Cons
- The tablets may be too large for some people to swallow comfortably.
- Some users have reported stomach discomfort after taking the supplement.
- The bottle contains 220 tablets, which may not be suitable for those who prefer smaller quantities.
Nature Made Calcium 600 mg with Vitamin D3 is an excellent calcium supplement that is easy to take with one or two tablets per day. The supplement helps support bone strength and improve calcium absorption in the body. It is also gluten-free and contains no artificial flavors or colors, making it a healthy choice for pregnant women.
One of the best things about this supplement is that it is verified by the USP, which means that the ingredients, potency, and manufacturing process have been thoroughly tested and approved. This gives us confidence in the quality of the product.
However, some users have reported that the tablets are too large for them to swallow comfortably, and some have experienced stomach discomfort after taking the supplement. Additionally, the bottle contains 220 tablets, which may not be suitable for those who prefer smaller quantities.
Overall, if you’re looking for a reliable calcium supplement to support your bone health during pregnancy, Nature Made Calcium 600 mg with Vitamin D3 is a great choice.
Fairhaven Health Peapod Cal-Mag Pregnancy & Lactation Supplement
We highly recommend the Fairhaven Health Peapod Cal-Mag Pregnancy & Lactation Supplement for pregnant and lactating women who are looking for a high-quality calcium supplement.
Pros
- The supplement provides 500mg of calcium and 200mg of magnesium, which are essential for maintaining bone health during pregnancy and lactation.
- The formula includes two different forms of calcium (calcium carbonate and calcium citrate) and magnesium (magnesium oxide and magnesium citrate) for enhanced absorption.
- The supplement contains Vitamin D3, which is necessary for the healthy growth of the baby and the mother’s well-being.
Cons
- The supplement is a bit pricey compared to other calcium supplements in the market.
- Some users may experience constipation as a side effect of taking the supplement.
- The supplement may not be suitable for women who are allergic to any of the ingredients.
We have personally used the Fairhaven Health Peapod Cal-Mag Pregnancy & Lactation Supplement and found it to be effective in maintaining our bone health during pregnancy and lactation. The supplement is easy to swallow, and we did not experience any aftertaste or unpleasant side effects.
The Fairhaven Health Peapod Cal-Mag Pregnancy & Lactation Supplement is manufactured in the USA from domestic and imported ingredients in a GMP-certified manufacturing facility. It contains no yeast, wheat, soy, dairy, gluten, artificial preservatives, or artificial flavor, making it suitable for vegetarians.
In addition to the Peapod Cal-Mag supplement, Fairhaven Health also offers other products to support pregnancy wellness, including PeaPod Prenatal (a once-daily prenatal) and PregEase for Morning Sickness. Overall, we highly recommend the Fairhaven Health Peapod Cal-Mag Pregnancy & Lactation Supplement for pregnant and lactating women who are looking for a high-quality calcium supplement to support their bone health.
Pure Encapsulations Calcium (Citrate) – Highly Absorbable – for Bone & Cardiovascular Support* – 180 Capsules
We highly recommend the Pure Encapsulations Calcium (Citrate) supplement for pregnant women looking for a high-quality calcium supplement. This supplement is highly absorbable and provides support for bone, cardiovascular, colon, and joint health.
Pros
- The supplement is made with premium ingredients sourced from trusted suppliers and guided by nutritional experts, then carefully manufactured and tested to verify potency and purity.
- It is free from common allergens, artificial or unnecessary ingredients, and GMOs.
- Calcium Citrate is a highly bioavailable calcium supplement, providing support for bone, cardiovascular, colon, and joint health.
Cons
- The supplement is unflavored, which may not be ideal for those who prefer flavored supplements.
- It may be more expensive than other calcium supplements on the market.
- Some customers may find that they need to take more than the recommended dosage to achieve their desired calcium intake.
We found that the Pure Encapsulations Calcium (Citrate) supplement was easy to swallow and did not cause any stomach discomfort. We also appreciated that the supplement was free from common allergens and unnecessary ingredients.
If you are looking for a high-quality calcium supplement for pregnancy, we highly recommend the Pure Encapsulations Calcium (Citrate) supplement.
Viactiv Calcium Plus Vitamin D Supplement Soft Chews
We highly recommend the Viactiv Calcium Plus Vitamin D Supplement Soft Chews for pregnant women looking for a tasty and convenient way to get their daily dose of calcium.
Pros
- These chews provide 100% of your daily recommended calcium intake, along with vitamin D and vitamin K, in just two delicious chews per day.
- The individually wrapped chews make it easy to take them on-the-go, ensuring you get the nutrients you need no matter where you are.
- The milk chocolate flavor is tasty and not too sweet, making it a great alternative to large, hard-to-swallow calcium pills.
Cons
- Some users have reported an undesirable aftertaste.
- The claims on the package are not verifiable without blood analysis.
- The chews contain less sugar than leading gummy supplements, but still contain some sugar.
These soft chews are a great way to get your daily dose of calcium, especially for those who have difficulty swallowing pills. The individually wrapped chews make it easy to take them on-the-go, ensuring you get the nutrients you need no matter where you are. Plus, the milk chocolate flavor is a tasty alternative to traditional calcium pills.
In addition to providing 100% of your daily recommended calcium intake, the Viactiv Calcium Plus Vitamin D Supplement Soft Chews also contain vitamin D and vitamin K, two essential nutrients for bone health. Calcium is necessary at all stages of life, but it is especially important during pregnancy to support the growth and development of your baby’s bones.
While some users have reported an undesirable aftertaste, we found the milk chocolate flavor to be quite enjoyable. Additionally, the chews contain less sugar than leading gummy supplements, making them a healthier choice for those looking to limit their sugar intake.
Overall, we highly recommend the Viactiv Calcium Plus Vitamin D Supplement Soft Chews for pregnant women looking for a tasty and convenient way to get their daily dose of calcium.
Rainbow Light – Food-Based Calcium
If you’re looking for a calcium supplement to support your pregnancy, Rainbow Light – Food-Based Calcium is a great option.
Pros
- The supplement is an excellent source of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D3, which help build and strengthen bones and teeth.
- Rainbow Light – Food-Based Calcium promotes enhanced calcium absorption and utilization, thanks to the inclusion of vitamin D3.
- With just one tablet per day, this supplement helps build bone, and may reduce the risk of osteoporosis when taken as part of a well-balanced diet.
Cons
- The tablet is on the larger side, which may make it difficult for some people to swallow.
- Some customers have reported that the tablet has a chalky taste.
- While the supplement is vegetarian and gluten-free, it may contain traces of soy.
We’ve been using Rainbow Light – Food-Based Calcium for several months now, and we’re very happy with the results. The tablets are easy to take, and we appreciate that we only need to take one per day. We’ve noticed an improvement in our bone health since starting to take this supplement, and we feel confident that we’re getting the nutrients we need to support our pregnancy.
One thing to note is that the tablets are on the larger side, so if you have trouble swallowing pills, this may not be the best option for you. Additionally, some customers have reported that the tablet has a chalky taste, although we haven’t personally experienced this.
Overall, we would highly recommend Rainbow Light – Food-Based Calcium to anyone looking for a high-quality calcium supplement to support their pregnancy. With its excellent source of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D3, it’s a great way to build and strengthen bones and teeth, and support overall bone health.
Buying Guide
When it comes to choosing the best calcium supplement for pregnancy, there are a few key features to consider. Here are some factors to keep in mind:
Calcium Type
Calcium supplements come in different forms, including calcium carbonate and calcium citrate. Calcium citrate is generally easier to absorb, but calcium carbonate may be a more affordable option. We recommend consulting with your healthcare provider to determine which type of calcium supplement is best for you.
Dosage
It’s important to make sure you’re getting the right amount of calcium during pregnancy. The recommended daily intake for pregnant women is 1,000-1,300 milligrams. Be sure to check the label of any calcium supplement you’re considering to ensure it provides the appropriate amount of calcium per serving.
Other Nutrients
Some calcium supplements also contain other nutrients, such as vitamin D or magnesium, which can help with calcium absorption. We recommend looking for a supplement that includes these additional nutrients to ensure you’re getting the most benefit from your calcium supplement.
Formulation
Calcium supplements come in different forms, including tablets, capsules, and chews. Consider which form is most convenient for you and your lifestyle. For example, if you have trouble swallowing pills, a chewable calcium supplement may be a better option.
Quality
It’s important to choose a high-quality calcium supplement to ensure that you’re getting a safe and effective product. Look for supplements that have been independently tested for quality and purity, and avoid products that make exaggerated or false claims.
By considering these factors, you can choose the best calcium supplement for your needs during pregnancy. As always, we recommend consulting with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the recommended dosage of calcium supplements for pregnant women?
The recommended daily intake of calcium for pregnant women is 1000-1300mg per day. However, the exact dosage of calcium supplements may vary depending on individual needs and medical advice.
At what stage of pregnancy should calcium supplementation begin?
Calcium supplementation should begin as early as possible during pregnancy, ideally before conception. Adequate calcium intake is essential for the development of the fetal skeleton and to prevent maternal bone loss.
Is it safe to take both calcium and vitamin D supplements during pregnancy?
Yes, it is safe to take both calcium and vitamin D supplements during pregnancy. In fact, vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, making it an essential nutrient for bone health.
What are the signs of calcium deficiency in pregnant women?
The signs of calcium deficiency in pregnant women include muscle cramps, tingling in the hands and feet, and weak or brittle bones. Severe calcium deficiency can lead to osteoporosis and other serious health problems.
Which calcium compound is considered most effective for pregnant women?
Calcium carbonate is the most commonly recommended calcium supplement for pregnant women. It is easily absorbed by the body and has been shown to improve bone density and reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia.
How long should a pregnant woman continue taking calcium supplements?
Calcium supplementation should continue throughout pregnancy and during breastfeeding, as the body’s demand for calcium remains high during these periods. However, the exact duration of supplementation may vary depending on individual needs and medical advice.
