Written By: Debjani Arora | Updated : October 9, 2014 5:13 PM IST
I am a 29 year old women and I learnt about my pregnancy just a fortnight back. My doctor has advised me to have folic acid, calcium and iron supplements daily. Now, I haven't had pills for any ailment in the past and find it difficult to remember to take the pills on time. To avoid skipping medications I started taking all the three pills at one time in the morning. But recently my mother-in-law told me that I shouldn't be having iron and calcium medication together? I want to know why is it so?
The three most important pills that you would be taking during your pregnancy are foilc acid, calcium and iron. Though your folic acid intake might be stopped a little after your second trimester, you would be advised to take your calcium and iron doses post delivery too. It is better you make a habit to pop those pills on time. Remember all these three pill have a definitive role to play in fetal wellbeing. Like,
Folic acid: This helps in fetal brain and spine development. Deficiency of folic acid can lead to neural tube defects or malformation of the spine in the developing baby known as spina bifida it has a life-long impact on the child.
Calcium: Proper intake of calcium will help in development and strengthen the overall skeletal structure of the baby. Calcium is also important for proper bone strength of the mother too.
Iron: Iron will help you to up your hemoglobin levels and help in organ and cell development of the baby.
Now it is important that you take your medications as prescribed on time. While you can choose to take your folic acid either in the morning or at lunch, never mix calcium with iron. Space the two medicines well apart. Because if you have calcium and iron together, calcium would interfere in iron absorption by the body. This could have an adverse effect on the fetus. Hence to make sure that your baby gets all the benefits of the medications that you are taking, avoid popping all the pills at one go.
To make it easy, keep one strip of your medication in your bag while you are on the go and one at home. Keep an alarm set on your smart phone to help you remember the same so you don't miss your doses. Also write on your phone calendar as soon as you pop a pill this will help you keep track of your medication intake well. There are ways to work smart and not harm the baby if you really look for an option.
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