Magnesium in pregnancy

Anyone who wants to become pregnant or is already pregnant is always looking for nutrition tips and advice on how to behave during pregnancy. Experience reports from other pregnant women are also welcome. A chapter that is often dealt with is Magnesium in pregnancy.

Why do we need magnesium?

Pregnant women have an increased need for nutrients, calories, vitamins and trace elements. It is important that the body is also supplied with sufficient magnesium. Ludwig Spätling, a German physician, has established that Magnesium in pregnancy Prevents premature birth.

In the last few decades, however, various studies have been carried out which have also shown that an increased intake of magnesium also shortens the hospital stay. Magnesium also regulates blood pressure and stops premature labor.

Due to the fact that not only the pregnant woman's body grows, but also the unborn child becomes larger, there is an increased magnesium requirement. If this is covered, the pregnancy and the development of the child are positively influenced. One reason why many gynecologists also prescribe preventive preparations so that the pregnant woman is supplied with enough magnesium.

May it be a little bit more?

The magnesium requirement during pregnancy is 35 percent higher than in the "normal state". It is therefore advisable for the pregnant woman to consume (at least) 310 milligrams of magnesium daily. Sometimes the dose can be increased to 350 to 400 milligrams. The level of concentration should not be decided by yourself. The gynecologist decides how high the dose should be to meet the magnesium requirement.

It is important that the magnesium intake is increased in the 22nd week of pregnancy (i.e. the second trimester). This is because the body needs more magnesium. There are many reasons. The hormonal change results in a large amount of magnesium being excreted (in the urine). During this phase, the need increases - compared to a non-pregnant woman - by 25 percent.

The body also needs a lot of magnesium when it is tense or in a stressful situation. For this reason, magnesium is often referred to as the "anti-stress mineral". Since the pregnant woman's body is in a state of emergency for months, it is therefore necessary to react to the extraordinary situation with enough magnesium.

It should be noted that during pregnancy, not only the woman's body, but also the body of the unborn child grows. Magnesium supports the structure and repair of the tissue and the bones. The positive aspects not only help the pregnant woman, but also the unborn child.

Which foods contain more magnesium?

Due to the fact that the body cannot produce the magnesium itself, a daily dose of 310 milligrams should be taken, especially during pregnancy. For this reason, it is important to pay attention to which foods are classic magnesium suppliers during pregnancy.

The following foods should therefore often be found on the menu: Nuts and germs, pumpkin or sunflower seeds as well as cashews, wheat germ or even unpeeled almonds. We also recommend legumes (soybeans, beans, whole grain products such as brown rice or oatmeal), dairy products of all kinds, green leafy vegetables (kale or spinach) and numerous types of fruit (kiwis, grapes, bananas, dried fruit).

Potatoes, fennel, corn and chocolate are also classic magnesium suppliers. However, since the daily requirement cannot always be achieved with normal food, additional preparations (prescribed by the gynecologist) should be taken. This is the only way that the pregnant woman can ultimately be sure of supplying enough magnesium so that the pregnancy and the child's development are positively favored.

Magnesium deficiency: which pregnancy complications can arise?

Due to the fact that during pregnancy there is an increased loss of magnesium or a deficiency in magnesium can occur relatively quickly, greater care should be taken to consume foods containing magnesium.

Anyone who does not consume enough magnesium will notice deficiency symptoms relatively quickly. Classic complaints are tiredness and muscle cramps. But nausea, uterine contractions and high blood pressure are also possible. In advanced pregnancy there is also the risk of premature labor or the fact that the risk of premature birth increases significantly.

If symptoms arise that sometimes indicate a magnesium deficiency, it is advisable to consult a doctor and report the symptoms and complaints to the attending physician. He then checks whether there is a deficiency in magnesium and whether additional magnesium supplements have to be prescribed.

Prevention can't hurt

The fact is: the daily requirement for magnesium cannot always be covered by the food consumed. Especially during pregnancy - due to the increased demand - it is difficult to supply your body with sufficient magnesium. For this reason, gynecologists repeatedly prescribe magnesium supplements. Those are often prescribed as a preventive measure.

The preparations come in numerous forms; among other things as effervescent tablets, drinking granules or in capsule form. It should be noted that the products do not all have the same effect. For this reason, it is important that pregnant women do not consume such preparations on their own, but only after consulting the treating doctor. That person decides how high the daily dose has to be or which form of the preparation ultimately brings the best result.