Vitamin/mineral supplements and calcium-based antacids increase maternal calcium intake.

Objective: The contributions of over-the-counter (OTC) calcium-based antacid medications and calcium-containing vitamin/mineral supplements to total calcium intake during pregnancy, have rarely been assessed. This study estimates the contributions of calcium-based antacids and vitamin/mineral supplements to maternal calcium intake.

Methods: Over an 8-month period, a cohort of 724 prenatal class attendees (out of a possible 1100 participants) at >28 weeks gestation in Calgary, Alberta, completed an anonymous questionnaire on vitamin/mineral supplement intake and the use of calcium-based antacids.