Magnesium During Pregnancy: Why You Should Take It And How Much

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Having magnesium during pregnancy is crucial because it helps in reducing the risks of preterm birth or labor and other assisted complications in pregnancy. Magnesium helps maintain the body’s blood sugar level and assists in building healthy teeth and bones (1). It also helps regulate the levels of cholesterol and maintain a steady heartbeat (2). Studies have shown that the deficiency of magnesium during pregnancy might increase the risks of preeclampsiaⁱXA condition characterized by high blood pressure that occurs during pregnancy and can be potentially dangerous. , infant mortality, or congenital disabilitiesⁱXAnomalies occur before or at birth, often inherited. in the fetus (3).

Read on to know more about the importance of magnesium and other related information in this post.

In This Article

Why Is Magnesium Important During Pregnancy?

Other than the primary reasons mentioned above, there are more ways in which magnesium works for you and your baby.

Works in conjunction with calcium: Both these minerals work together. While magnesium induces relaxation to the muscles, calcium stimulates muscle contractions. The right levels of magnesium can also keep the uterus from contracting until 35 weeks of pregnancy.

Lowers the risk of osteoporosisⁱXA condition in which the bones become brittle and weak. : Adequate levels of magnesium and calcium may help reduce the chance of bone damage later in life and promote bone health (4 ).

Magnesium may help reduce the risk of bone damage

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Reduces cramps: Cramping is very common during pregnancy. Magnesium is an important mineral that plays a role in muscle function and reduces cramps, lessens the strength of Braxton Hicks contractions, treats constipation, and promotes heart health.

Acts as a tranquilizer: Magnesium is the best remedy for busting stress and insomnia, which are quite common during pregnancy. Doctors usually prescribe it as a separate supplement apart from the prenatal vitamin/mineral supplements.

Helps in delivery: This mineral optimizes blood pressure levels and improves the pain tolerance threshold, possibly making your delivery more comfortable.

Curbs nausea: Magnesium can treat nausea, which is the most common sickness along with morning sickness.

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Treats headaches: Magnesium supplementation may lessen the incidence of migraine headaches during pregnancy. It helps in relaxing constricted blood vessels in the brain, preventing lactic acid buildup, which may otherwise cause tension and migraine pain (5).

Lowers risk of cerebral palsy: According to a review published in Australia, magnesium sulfate, when given to mothers who are at risk of preterm labor, helped in protecting their babies from cerebral palsy and also supported nervous system development (6).

Quick fact

Subclinical magnesium deficiency prevails in both developing and developed countries. Besides, most women of childbearing age don’t meet the US RDA for magnesium (7). So, given the increased magnesium needs during pregnancy, women should focus on including magnesium-rich foods in their diet.

Effects Of Magnesium On The Baby

Research studies have revealed that intake of magnesium during pregnancy will either show a positive benefit or no benefit to the baby.

Magnesium supplementation shows a beneficial effect on the growth of the fetus (8).

Oral magnesium supplementation improves fetal circulation (9).

Newborns who had better sleep and wake cycles came from mothers who had taken sufficient magnesium while pregnant.

Mother who took magnesium during pregnancy had newborns with better sleep cycles

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How Much Magnesium Do You Need During Pregnancy?

The recommended daily allowance of magnesium during pregnancy is 350 to 360 milligrams. If you are between 19 and 30 years, you require 350mg, and if you are 31 years and above, you need 360mg (10). Vomiting, nausea, and food aversions during pregnancy may make you deficient in magnesium. Therefore, supplementation may be necessary apart from including magnesium-rich foods in your diet.

Quick tip

Besides adding more magnesium to your diet, focus on enhancing magnesium absorption from the food. Reduce or avoid consuming calcium-rich foods two hours before or after eating magnesium-rich foods. It is because calcium interferes with magnesium absorption (11).

Magnesium-Rich Foods For Pregnant Women

Foods rich in magnesium for pregnant women

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To supplement your body with the recommended magnesium dosage, you should eat a healthy diet. Many plant and animal sources rich in magnesium include leafy greens (spinach), whole grains, seeds, legumes, breakfast cereals, foods containing dietary fiber, and fortified foods. Processed foods are a less optimal choice. Also, the magnesium in water alters from 1mg to 120mg per liter.

The following table gives you an idea of what foods can be included as a part of magnesium-rich diet.

FOOD MILLIGRAMS	(MG) PER	Percent DV*
Almonds, dry roasted, 1 ounce	SERVING	20
Spinach, boiled, ½ cup	78	20
Cashews, dry roasted, 1 ounce	74	19
Peanuts, oil roasted, ¼ cup	63	16
Cereal, shredded wheat, 2 large biscuits	61	15
Soymilk, plain or vanilla, 1 cup	61	15
Black beans, cooked, ½ cup	60	15
Edamame, shelled, cooked, ½ cup	50	13
Peanut butter, smooth, 2 tablespoons	49	12
Bread, whole wheat, 2 slices	46	12
Avocado, cubed, 1 cup	44	11
Potato, baked with skin, 3.5 ounces	43	11
Rice, brown, cooked, ½ cup	42	11
Yogurt, plain, low fat, 8 ounces	42	11
Breakfast cereals, fortified with 10% of the DV for magnesium	40	10
Oatmeal, instant, 1 packet	36	9
Kidney beans, canned, ½ cup	35	9
Banana, 1 medium	32	8
Salmon, Atlantic, farmed, cooked, 3 ounces	26	7
Milk, 1 cup	24–27	6–7
Halibut, cooked, 3 ounces	24	6
Raisins, ½ cup	23	6
Chicken breast, roasted, 3 ounces	22	6
Beef, ground, 90% lean, pan broiled, 3 ounces	20	5
Broccoli, chopped and cooked, ½ cup	12	3
Rice, white, cooked, ½ cup	10	3
Apple, 1 medium	9	2
Carrot, raw, 1 medium	7	2

Source

Weave your menu plan around these food items to make sure you are getting enough magnesium for you and your baby!

Did you know?

30g of pumpkin seeds provide 156mg of magnesium, whereas a cup of milk (250ml) provides only 24 to 27mg of magnesium (12). So include a variety of food in your diet to ensure you get all the essential nutrients.

Do You Need Magnesium Supplements?

It is very tempting to just pop in a few supplements instead of watching what we eat. But is magnesium supplement a good idea?

Anything in excess can harm your body. You should take magnesium supplements only if your diet isn’t giving you enough magnesium. But never self-medicate. Always consult your doctor and take the supplements only if they recommend. In fact, many doctors prescribe them as a part of the prenatal vitamin package.

Are There Any Side Effects To Magnesium Supplements?

The chance of consuming too much magnesium through food is slim. But when you use supplements, you run the risk of magnesium overdose. Here are some side effects that may come with too much magnesium through supplements.

1. Diarrhea and dehydration

Magnesium supplements can cause intestinal irritation in some pregnant women. This can lead to diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and appetite loss. Untreated diarrhea can even lead to dehydration – a serious concern during pregnancy. If you are on magnesium supplements and are experiencing diarrhea for two to three days, talk to your doctor.

2. Stomach upset

The last thing you need during pregnancy is nausea and vomiting – morning sickness provides enough of that! But magnesium intake can lead to digestive issues that mimic morning sickness. These symptoms subside within hours of treatment but if they persist, seek medical advice.

3. Medication interactions

Magnesium supplements may interact with certain medications

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Magnesium supplements are known to interact with certain medications. If you are on antibiotics, blood pressure medication, calcium channel blockers, diabetes medication, etc., talk to your doctor before you start the supplements. Always review all medications and supplements you are taking during pregnancy, with your doctor.

4. Overdose:

If you experience any of the following symptoms after consuming magnesium supplements, head to the ER. Magnesium overdose can be fatal if not treated on time.

Symptoms to look out for:

Persistent vomiting
Irregular heart rate
Difficulty breathing
Muscle weakness
Low blood pressure
Confusion

During pregnancy, your body needs that little extra care and nourishment. But you don’t always need to grab OTC medication and supplements to meet these needs. Try your best to eat healthy and keep in touch with your doctor. Moving further, let’s understand magnesium salts, and how they are useful in pregnancy.

Magnesium Sulfate During Pregnancy

Magnesium sulfate, a magnesium salt, is prescribed to prevent premature birth and decrease uterine tone.

What are its functions?

Magnesium sulfate is available in two forms – white powder for oral intake, and solution form for intravenous and intramuscular injections.

Oral suspension is usually given for treating constipation and cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder). It has a laxative effect. It is, therefore, useful for bowel cleansing in the case of diagnostic procedures, and in cases of poisoning.

The intravenous or intramuscular administration is prescribed for lowering blood pressure and dilating blood vessels. According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the overall prevalence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy during the combined years of 2017-2019 was 14.6%.

Magnesium sulfate has a diureticⁱXA substance that helps remove salt and water from the body. property, and, therefore, helps excrete fluids from the body. It also lowers the uterine tone during pregnancy. Magnesium intravenous drip therapy is prescribed for the following conditions in pregnancy:

Increased uterine tone
Gestational Hypertension
Preeclampsia associated with seizures
Swelling
ThrombosisⁱXWhen blood clots block veins or arteries.
To induce sedative effect
Magnesium deficiency

Beware:

Magnesium sulfate is not advisable during the first trimester.
Also, there is no proper evidence showing that it is completely safe during pregnancy.
It can only be taken upon doctor’s prescription.

Experts say

According to the UK NHS, magnesium sulfate may not be suitable for all pregnant women. It may be offered to women between 24 and 30 weeks of gestation and who are likely to give birth within 24 hours (13).

Are there any side effects?

Magnesium therapy is only used for a short period of three to seven days. If it is a long-term treatment, it may accumulate in your body causing respiratory failure and hypoxiaⁱXlow level of oxygen in the body tissues. in the fetus. It may also subject calcium to a process of leaching from the fetal bone tissue causing fractures in the newborn during labor. You should stop taking it before labor (14).

Magnesium Citrate During Pregnancy

This is another salt of magnesium. It is FDA approved and falls under category C, which means there are not enough studies available to put it in a different category.

It is a saline laxative that improves the bowel movements, and also an osmotic laxative which means it retains water in the stools.

It is also prescribed to patients undergoing colonoscopy or other surgeries.

You should consult your doctor before using it as any medication during pregnancy, and it can only be used under doctor’s approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the role of magnesium oxide during pregnancy?

Magnesium oxide is an FDA approved magnesium supplement that is safe to take in prescribed amounts. It is used as a supplement and laxative during pregnancy (15).

The US National Institutes of Health advises not to take it for a longer period without getting approval from the doctor (10).

2. Can you take magnesium hydroxide during pregnancy?

Magnesium hydroxide (milk of magnesia) is not approved by the FDA in the pregnancy category. There are no controlled studies regarding the usage of this drug during pregnancy. Though a laxative, it can only be taken under doctor’s supervision.

3. What are the other magnesium supplements the doctor usually suggests in pregnancy?

Magnesium malate and magnesium glycinate are two other supplements which are prescribed during pregnancy. All of these magnesium salts would only be given when the benefits outweigh the risks.

4. Is magnesium oil safe during pregnancy?

Magnesium oil is another safe option during pregnancy and helps in treating the symptoms of preeclampsia. The oil is absorbed through the skin, and it will not pass into the digestive tract. It can be used as a lotion, which you can leave on the skin. You can use 15ml to apply on the skin or add it to warm water for a body soak. About 120ml can be used for a bath. Unlike the oral magnesium salts with the laxative property, the oil will not cause any digestive stress.

5. Do prenatal vitamins have magnesium?

Magnesium is usually not a part of prenatal vitamins. However, it is essential to maintain proper maternal health during pregnancy. Most prenatal vitamins provide minerals and vitamins such as calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin B (B1, B5, B6, B7, B12, and folate), vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin D, and micronutrients like selenium (16) (17). However, these are to be taken after a doctor’s consent during pregnancy.

Magnesium during pregnancy is essential for mothers’ health for many reasons, including reducing cramps, treating nausea, and improving pain tolerance. However, it is likely to have little or no benefit for the baby. You should include magnesium supplements and magnesium-rich foods in your pregnancy diet, but take them in moderation as both deficiency and excessive consumption may adversely affect your pregnancy. Therefore, keep note of any magnesium supplements you take and consult your doctor before starting any new drugs or supplements.

Infographic: What You Should Know About Magnesium During Pregnancy?

Magnesium is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in cellular functions. Lower levels of magnesium during pregnancy could interfere with normal fetal development. Go through the infographic to learn facts about magnesium during pregnancy.

facts about magnesium during pregnancy (infographic)

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Key Pointers

Maternal magnesium consumption benefits include relaxation of muscles, prevention of cramps, ease during labor, relief of nausea and aches, and improvement of bone and fetal health.
Magnesium sulfate helps maintain blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol levels while magnesium citrate acts as a laxative.
Overdose of magnesium may lead to medical complications, including diarrhea and dehydration.
Pregnant women can get their daily magnesium requirements from various foods such as almonds, spinach, avocado, edamame, soy milk, beans, and vegetables.

Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team

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