Is Magnesium Safe To Take if You’re Pregnant?

Magnesium is one of the seven essential minerals in your body. During pregnancy, it supports the health of the pregnant person and the baby. Magnesium helps with nerve and muscle function, bone strength, energy production, and blood glucose and blood pressure levels.

It’s common to have a magnesium deficiency when pregnant. You may need to eat more magnesium-rich foods, like dark green vegetables, whole-grain products, nuts, and legumes. Depending on your age, you can safely take 350-400 milligrams of magnesium supplements daily as needed.

Not enough high-quality studies show that daily magnesium supplements benefit pregnant women. However, magnesium requirements increase during pregnancy, and food sources may not be enough for your needs.

If you are pregnant, you typically need about 10% more magnesium than usual. For example, the recommended daily amount (RDA) for pregnant people is 350-400 milligrams daily compared with 300–310 milligrams daily for non-pregnant people.

One study revealed that about 80% of pregnant people consume less than 300 milligrams of magnesium daily. This may be due to morning sickness and diet preferences. Dietary sources of magnesium or supplements can help reduce these risks.

Magnesium supplements are likely safe during pregnancy, especially when used in the recommended dose. However, always consult your healthcare provider before taking magnesium. 

Possible benefits of magnesium for pregnant people include the following:

• Helps prevent high blood pressure: Magnesium supplements help prevent preeclampsia, a serious blood pressure condition that occurs during pregnancy or soon after giving birth.
• Relieve cramps in lower legs: Magnesium supplements can relieve pregnancy leg cramps. One study suggests that taking 200 milligrams of magnesium daily as soon as cramps appear can offer relief.
• Reduces the risk of cerebral palsy: Research suggests that magnesium sulfate can lower the risk of having a baby with cerebral palsy (a condition that affects movement and posture) in people at risk of early labor.
• Helps improve sleep quality: Magnesium might help improve sleep quality during pregnancy. It could also help you feel less tired during the day.
• Helps improve mood: Some researchers believe that lower magnesium levels during pregnancy might contribute to postpartum depression. Taking magnesium supplements during pregnancy may help reduce depression symptoms.
• Healthier start for babies: Getting enough magnesium during pregnancy reduces the risk of infant low health scores. They may also be less likely to be admitted into intensive care units (ICUs). Babies born to people who take magnesium might be less likely to have APGAR scores of less than 7. Healthcare providers use these scores to check a baby’s health status immediately after birth.

Generally, only magnesium sulfate has been recommended for use in women with higher blood pressure during pregnancy. However, other types of magnesium have been used in pregnant women.

Magnesium Sulfate (MgSO4)

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends using magnesium to prevent and treat severe symptoms of preeclampsia. In cases of preeclampsia or eclampsia, magnesium sulfate is usually administered intravenously (with an IV, or through a needle in a vein) and monitored by a healthcare provider.

Oral magnesium sulfate can help relieve constipation during pregnancy. However, it is best to discuss safer alternatives with your healthcare provider before using magnesium sulfate.

Magnesium sulfate can also be found as Epsom salt. A warm bath with Epsom salt can relieve muscle tension and reduce muscle cramps.

Magnesium Citrate

Oral magnesium citrate is a more common type of magnesium supplement. In one study, 360 milligrams of magnesium citrate effectively reduced leg cramps in pregnant people with possible magnesium deficiency.

Daily magnesium citrate intake may also help reduce the chances of being hospitalized for early labor. Always consult your healthcare provider before using these supplements long-term. 

Magnesium Oxide

Magnesium oxide can be an effective option for treating migraines in pregnant people. It can be safely used up to doses of 400 milligrams.

Taking magnesium oxide during pregnancy may delay the start of breast milk production.

Magnesium Bisglycinate

Magnesium bisglycinate can help reduce leg cramps during pregnancy. Research shows that 300 milligrams can relieve leg cramps.

Side effects of using magnesium supplements include:

• Flushing
• Sweating
• Diarrhea
• Headaches
• Vomiting
• Blurred vision 
• Muscle weakness

One of the major concerns of magnesium during pregnancy is its stomach-related side effects, which can make existing nausea and vomiting worse. Talk to your healthcare provider if you notice any of the above symptoms. Your healthcare provider will assess your intake and may recommend stopping the magnesium supplement, switching to a different type, or reducing your intake. 

Magnesium can also affect how your body absorbs other important nutrients like iron and zinc. Always talk to a healthcare provider if you intend to use magnesium with other supplements or medications.

There are not enough high-quality studies to recommend the daily use of magnesium supplements during pregnancy. However, magnesium supplements may offer benefits to pregnant people. Possible benefits include reducing high blood pressure, relieving leg cramps, and preventing cerebral palsy in infants.

It is best to get magnesium from your diet. When using magnesium supplements, contact a healthcare provider if you notice any side effects, like being unable to keep food down, feeling flushed, or having vision problems.