Why Is Magnesium Important During Pregnancy?

Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist Op. Dr. Meral Sönmezer gave important information about the subject. Magnesium during pregnancy is an important mineral for a healthy pregnancy period. Magnesium has many positive effects for both expectant mothers and babies. Magnesium plays an important role in the healthy development of the baby in the womb. The deficiency of magnesium, which is one of the minerals that are vital for our body and necessary for our vital activities, causes the emergence of muscle and nerve diseases. Magnesium is a mineral that the body cannot produce on its own and must be taken from outside. The amount of magnesium that a woman during pregnancy and lactation needs daily is between 300-360 mg. If this amount cannot be met from food, magnesium supplementation is started under the control of a doctor.

Wrong diet and wrong cooking style (prepared at high temperatures such as boiling, frying and steaming) reduces the amount of magnesium in foods and causes the body to not get enough magnesium. Spinach, green beans, broccoli and cabbage are among the vegetables richest in magnesium. In addition to these, nuts such as pumpkin and sunflower seeds, peanuts, almonds and cashews are also rich in magnesium, but attention should be paid to the consumption of these high-calorie foods. You can create a magnesium-rich diet by adding these foods in the right amounts to your daily meals.

The fact that the expectant mother cannot provide the sufficient amount of magnesium that her body needs during pregnancy brings along many problems. We can list them as follows;

• Magnesium deficiency causes uterine contractions and causes premature births.
• It causes groin and leg cramps during pregnancy.

In addition to these, problems such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, weakness, loss of strength, sleep problems, preeclampsia can also be a symptom of magnesium deficiency.

What Are the Benefits of Magnesium During Pregnancy?

• Magnesium prevents insomnia during pregnancy and provides a quality sleep.
• It reduces nausea.
• It regulates the muscular and nervous system.
• It helps to reduce stress by relaxing the muscles and nerves.
• It prevents cramps and spasms by regulating muscle contractions.
• It regulates blood pressure and blood sugar.
• It reduces the risk of premature birth due to uterine contractions.
• It reduces the risk of osteoporosis, in addition, adequate magnesium intake is important in the formation of a healthy bone and tooth structure of the baby.
• It protects the heart muscles.
• It ensures the correct functioning of the enzymes in the body.

Therefore, in case of magnesium deficiency in the expectant mother, taking magnesium supplements during pregnancy is very important in order to have a healthy pregnancy period. The use of magnesium during pregnancy should be under the control of your doctor.