Magnesium in pregnancy

November 29 2021
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In this article you will learn:

    What makes magnesium it is a valuable element for pregnant women? How to supplement magnesium in pregnancyif it is deficient? Can you overdose of magnesium in pregnancy and what side effects induces? What magnesium in pregnancy take it and if it helps for uterine contractions and/ or calf cramps? When Pregnant you may need it magnesium in a drip? Whether to take magnesium at 38 weeks gestation? If you are bothering with any of these questions or have other doubts about admission magnesium in pregnancy, the following text will help to resolve them.

    Magnesium is an element classified as a macronutrient. It is sometimes called the element of life - it takes part in about 300 biochemical processes, it is necessary for the activation of enzymes involved in the metabolic changes of the organism. Magnesium for pregnant women is particularly important - thanks to him their body copes with all kinds of changes taking place at this specific time. No wonder, then, that expectant mothers want to know how to supplement magnesium in pregnancywhen they tease them uterine contractions and/ or what magnesium accept for calf cramps in pregnancy and other related ailments. Also the issues that require clarification is it possible to overdose on magnesium in pregnancy, side effectswhat it causes and also whether to take magnesium in the 38th week of pregnancy.

    Magnesium for pregnant women and not only

    Magnesium plays an important role in protein synthesis and neuromuscular conduction, as well as in thermoregulation and regulation of blood pressure. It is needed for building bones and teeth. Its constant presence and proper level in the body reduce the risk of developing hypertension, as well as heart disease, asthma and diabetes. Magnesium deficiency can cause dizziness, irritability, anxiety and depression.

    Magnesium during pregnancy is essential for the proper functioning of the female body and the development of the fetus. If they appear uterine contractions in pregnancy, which happens in the second trimester, magnesium may be helpful in reducing their intensity. 

    Magnesium in pregnancy: how much do you need?

    The Food and Nutrition Institute in Warsaw specifies the daily magnesium requirement of a woman is 280 mg, a pregnant woman - 320 mg, and a nursing mother - 350 mg. Chronic magnesium deficiencies are very common, because it is difficult to ensure an adequate supply of this element in the daily diet. During pregnancy, the fetus consumes about 8 mg of magnesium every day, and 25 mg of this macronutrient passes into the food during lactation.. Magnesium must be supplied to the body from the outside, along with food or through appropriate supplementation. 

    How to recognize a magnesium deficiency?

    Before we answer this, how to supplement magnesium in pregnancy i what magnesium then take, let's check, which indicates that there is not enough of it in the body. Magnesium deficiency can be recognized very quickly. It manifests itself mainly in the form of:

    • fatigue,
    • contractions leg muscles,
    • occurrence constipation

    Common symptoms of magnesium deficiency are calf cramps in pregnancy. Other symptoms are common headache, palpitations, arrhythmia, insomnia, sometimes nausea and even vomiting, concentration disorders may also occur

    How to supplement magnesium in pregnancy?

    It's worth trying first provide this element to the body in a natural wayby eating the right foods and eating a varied diet. Magnesium is present in abundance in whole grain cereal products and legumes. Its source are also green leafy vegetables, berries, avocados, dried fruit and fish. You can find it in pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, cashews, peanuts, dark chocolate, bananas, beans and peas, as well as in broccoli and raspberries. As you can see, the choice is quite large, which allows replenish magnesium in pregnancy, including products containing it in the daily menu. 

    However, the matter may complicate a bit limited digestibility of this element from food with a simultaneous increase in the demand for it in future mothers. To the question, how to supplement magnesium in pregnancythen another one follows: what magnesium in pregnancy accept. 

    Supplementation last year, which is what magnesium in pregnancy?

    We already know how to supplement magnesium in pregnancy by eating certain natural products. However, with very large and chronic deficiencies, this may not be enough. If the expectant mother has symptoms that suggest it is depressed magnesium level, the doctor in charge of pregnancy recommends mineral supplementation. The market offers a lot of these kinds of products - what magnesium in pregnancy will be a good choice?

    Expert advises

    Magnesium is the most common intake of pregnant women orally, in the form of a preparation that contains highly digestible compounds, free of chlorides, carbonates and oxides, sometimes in combination with B vitamins. In order to balance the level of magnesium and alleviate the symptoms of deficiency, doses from 200 mg to 1 g per day are used, depending on the individual needs of the organism.

    Marzena Jurczak-Czaplicka
    Specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, Specialist in perinatology, Department of Perinatology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Mother and Child

    Can you overdose on magnesium during pregnancy?

    On internet forums, expectant mothers often ask is it possible to overdose on magnesium during pregnancy and whether it induces side effects. Although this happens very rarely when administered orally, you can overdose on magnesium - Pregnant so better not to take it on your own, without consulting your doctor. An overdose is possible, jif the prescribed amount of magnesium is largely exceeded. They will accompany him side effects, most often in the form of diarrhea. In more severe cases, they can occur breathing problems, chest pain, and also hypotension.

    Whether to take magnesium at 38 weeks of pregnancy?

    Doubts, whether to take magnesium in the 38th week of pregnancyappear for a reason. Because it affects neuromuscular conduction, reducing the contractility of smooth and striated muscles, at the end of pregnancy, doctors advise against taking this element. Magnesium should be discontinued after the 35th week of pregnancy so that the uterus can "exercise" before delivery. 

    When magnesium in a drip Pregnant?

    In recent years, the use of magnesium sulfate has increased in use prophylaxis of seizures in pregnant women with severe pre-eclampsia (formerly known as "pregnancy poisoning"). In this situation, it is administered intravenously in a hospital, under close supervision of a woman and a baby. 

    Expert advises

    Similarly, a significant beneficial effect of intravenous administration of magnesium sulfate to mothers with preterm labor on the risk of cerebral palsy has been found. Thanks of that kind magnesium in a drip it is much lower in women at high risk of having a baby before 32 weeks of labor pregnancy.

    Marzena Jurczak-Czaplicka
    Specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, Specialist in perinatology, Department of Perinatology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Mother and Child

    Magnesium in pregnancy: not on your own

    Although magnesium is an important macronutrient for pregnant women, and the demand for it increases then, supplementation of this element has its limitations, dictated by medical reasons. Therefore, if the expectant mother suspects a magnesium deficiency, it is worth talking to the doctor in charge of the pregnancy first. He will definitely advise jak go refill and whether supplementation is necessary, and if so - will indicate what magnesium in pregnancy choose and how to take it, so as not to overdose and minimize any side effects.  


    Authors: EPozytywnaOpinia.pl team in association with Marzena Jurczak-Czaplicka - MD, PhD, obstetrician-gynecologist and perinatologist, deputy head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic at the Institute of Mother and Child.

    Literature:

    PTGiP recommendations for supplementation in pregnant women, 2020.

    Author

    Marzena Jurczak-Czaplicka
    Specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, Specialist in perinatology, Department of Perinatology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Mother and Child

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