Magnesium during pregnancy: 11 benefits (supplements and food)

Magnesium in pregnancy is a very important mineral as it helps promote muscle relaxation, relieve cramps, prevent high blood pressure during pregnancy, pre-eclampsia or premature birth.

During pregnancy, a woman’s nutritional needs increase, including magnesium, which also plays a role in the baby’s development, which increases the risk of magnesium deficiency in pregnant women.

Read too: Lack of magnesium: causes, symptoms and treatment

Magnesium can be found naturally in foods such as milk, nuts and flaxseed, or in the form of supplements, such as magnesium sulfate, which should only be taken according to the obstetrician’s instructions.

Benefits of Magnesium in Pregnancy

The main benefits of magnesium during pregnancy are:

1. Promote muscle relaxation;
2. Relieve and control muscle cramps;
3. Prevent high blood pressure during pregnancy;
4. Avoid uterine contractions;
5. Reduce the risk of premature birth;
6. Prevent pre-eclampsia;
7. Fight heartburn;
8. Improve insulin sensitivity;
9. Avoid gestational diabetes;
10. Reduce the risk of eclampsia in pregnant women with pre-eclampsia;
11. Prevent migraine attacks.

Furthermore, magnesium is a very important nutrient for the baby, as it promotes the development of bones, maintains the functioning of the heart and cardiovascular system and protects the nervous system,

Magnesium is also important for reducing the risk of intrauterine growth restriction or preventing the baby from being small for gestational age.

Read too: Cramps during pregnancy: 6 main causes and what to do

What is the recommended amount of magnesium?

The recommended amount of magnesium during pregnancy is 350 to 400 mg per day, however it varies from pregnant woman to pregnant woman, according to nutritional needs and age.

Magnesium can be obtained through the consumption of foods rich in magnesium or the use of dietary supplements, according to the obstetrician’s guidance.

Make an appointment with the obstetrician in the region closest to you:

Magnesium Supplements

The main magnesium supplements that may be recommended during pregnancy are:

1. Magnesium sulfate

The magnesium supplement most used during pregnancy is magnesium sulfate, which is mainly indicated for women between 20 and 32 weeks of gestation at risk of premature birth.

Sometimes the doctor may recommend its use up to 35 weeks, but it is important to stop taking it before 36 weeks of pregnancy, so that the uterus has time to contract again effectively, facilitating normal birth or reducing the risk of bleeding. during cesarean section. See how to use magnesium sulfate.

In addition, magnesium sulfate can be used as an injection into a vein, in the hospital, in women with pre-eclampsia, to prevent eclampsia and the risk of premature birth or complications for the pregnant woman and the baby.

Read too: Pre-eclampsia: symptoms, treatment and risks for the baby

2. Magnesium hydroxide

Another magnesium supplement that may be recommended by your obstetrician is magnesium hydroxide for the treatment of constipation or heartburn, as it has laxative and antacid properties.

This supplement can be taken in the form of Bisurada Magnesia tablets or Milk of Magnesia, for example.

It is important that magnesium hydroxide is used as directed by the obstetrician to avoid discomfort for the pregnant woman and diarrhea, for example. Learn more about milk of magnesia.

Read too: Heartburn during pregnancy: symptoms, causes (and what to do to alleviate it)

Foods rich in magnesium

The main foods rich in magnesium that can be consumed during pregnancy are:

• Oil fruitssuch as chestnuts, peanuts, almonds or hazelnuts;
• Seedssuch as sunflower, pumpkin or flaxseed;
• Fruitssuch as banana, avocado or plum;
• Cerealssuch as brown rice, oats or wheat germ;
• Legumessuch as beans, peas or soybeans;
• Vegetablessuch as broccoli, pumpkin, kale or spinach.

Furthermore, other foods rich in magnesium are salmon and dark chocolate. See the complete list of foods rich in magnesium.

During pregnancy, you must have a varied, nutritious and balanced diet, in order to obtain all the important nutrients for the healthy development of the baby and avoid nutritional deficiencies.

Read too: Food during pregnancy: what to eat and what to avoid