The human body is complex and wonderful, giving you everything you need to grow your own little human—allowing you to take care of your child by giving it what it needs. However, one thing the body will do is prioritize your developing baby by taking nutrients from your body to encourage healthy development and growth.
One nutrient in particular that your growing baby needs is calcium—the all-star pregnancy mineral.
Calcium is an essential mineral that we all need each and every day to maintain healthy teeth and bones, keep our muscles moving, promote hormone function, and send messages from the brain to the rest of the body. It’s kind of a big deal…
During pregnancy, developing babies rely on the calcium they receive from their mother’s body to survive and thrive. From strengthening rapidly-developing bones and teeth to maintaining muscle and growing a healthy heart and nerves, and even developing blood-clotting abilities, calcium is essential. Soon after conception, your baby’s bones will begin to develop, and they won’t stop growing until your child reaches adulthood. Ultimately, your baby's bone formation comes down to what you consume during pregnancy. Regardless of how much calcium you, as a mother, have in your body, your little one will still take calcium from your bones—so it’s vital that you consume your recommended daily amount to avoid risking bone loss during pregnancy and developing osteoporosis later in life.
If you don’t have enough calcium in your body to care for yourself and your baby, you’ll risk experiencing a calcium deficit, which can lead to: