QuestionHi, I had my first visit today, I am 10 weeks. I forgot to mention to the Dr that I was tested at borderline osteoporosis about 4 months ago. I am 34 with three children already and my Grandmother has it if that means anything. I hate to call back about that, can you tell me what that means now that I am pregnant? Should I be taking supplements, and if so what kind are safe, any? I do take my prenatal vitamins and that Fibercon that has calcium in it and I was thinking of adding those chocolate supplements. Do you think that is necessary? I try to drink 1-2 glasses of milk a day. Is there any certain trimester I need to pay close attention to it?
AnswerDear Amy,
Osteoporosis occurs most commonly in the hip, wrist, and spine(vertebrae). Obviously, weakness in the hips and vertebrae would be of most concern during pregnancy and symptoms would tend to crop up toward the 3rd trimester when the weight of the pregnancy becomes more of a factor.
The best way to prevent weak bones is easy - start by building strong ones. It is never to late. Here are some suggestions:
1. Get enough calcium
- Recommended Daily Requirement for ages 19-50 is at least 1000 mg
- Yogurt (fat free or low fat), American cheese, milk (fat free or low fat), orange juice with added calcium, and broccoli are good sources of calcium
2. Get enough vitamin D each day
- Vit.D helps your body take in calcium. You can get vitamin D through sunlight and foods like milk.
- People ages 19-50 should be getting 200 IU of Vit D per day.
- Salmon, milk (nonfat, reduced fat, & whole, vitamin D fortified),
egg (vitamin D is in the yolk), and pudding (made from mix & vitamin D fortified milk) are good sources of vitamin D.
3. Eat a healthy diet
- Other nutrients, like vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, and zinc, as well as protein, help build strong bones too. Milk provides many of these nutrients. But you can also get these nutrients by eating a healthy diet, including with foods that have these nutrients. Some examples are lean meat, fish, green leafy vegetables, and oranges.
4. Exercise in healthy moderation during pregnancy
Being active really helps your bones by:
- slowing bone loss
- improving muscle strength
- helping your balance
You should definitely talk to your OB doctor about your osteoporosis diagnosis at your next visit so that tabs can be kept on it, but there is no real reason to panic about this issue. Even though there is stress on a pregnant woman's calcium supply, and calcium can leave her body more often because of frequent urination, other changes during pregnancy (like increases in estrogen and weight gain) may actually help bone density. A diet rich in calcium, daily exercise, and drug therapy are treatment options that your doctor can look at specific to your case.
I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well and Merry Christmas!
Brenda
