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Can you take magnesium while you're pregnant?

10/8/25
Yes, a pregnant person can take magnesium. Magnesium is essential during pregnancy, and healthcare providers ensure adequate intake through diet or supplementation when needed.

Magnesium plays an important role in regulating many vital body functions in the bones, muscles, metabolism and immune system, as well as during pregnancy. Getting enough magnesium in the diet can help lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, migraine headaches, osteoporosis and high blood pressure.

Yet 48% of people in the United States don’t get enough daily magnesium. Too much and too little magnesium can affect a person’s health during pregnancy.

Magnesium and pregnancy

Magnesium is an essential mineral for fetal growth and development.

It’s also important for the health of the birthing parent. For example, magnesium sulfate may help reduce the risk of seizures in pregnant people with preeclampsia.

Foods high in magnesium

It’s possible to get the daily requirement for magnesium by eating magnesium-rich foods, including:

  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Chia seeds
  • Almonds
  • Spinach
  • Cashews
  • Peanuts
  • Shredded wheat cereal
  • Soymilk
  • Avocado
  • Quinoa
  • Edamame
  • Black beans

Dosage during pregnancy

People can also take magnesium supplements if they’re not getting enough magnesium through foods.

The maximum upper intake level (UL) for magnesium from supplements is 350 milligrams (mg) in pregnant people. This limit does not include foods that contain magnesium. That means it’s okay to eat magnesium-rich foods in addition to 350 mg of magnesium in supplement form.

Ultimately, there’s no evidence that a pregnant person needs magnesium supplements if they’re eating a diet containing magnesium-rich foods.

Potential risks

Moderately higher than recommended doses of magnesium supplements might cause symptoms like diarrhea and an upset stomach.

Very high doses of magnesium supplements (more than 5,000 mg per day) can be dangerous and have even been associated with death in the very young and older adults.

Medication interactions are another potential risk of taking magnesium during pregnancy.

Some medications can interact with magnesium or affect its absorption in the body. People taking supplements, or those who want to take any of the following supplements, should consider speaking with a physician about potential interactions with magnesium and their current medications.

Supplements safe for pregnancy

The body needs more of several different nutrients during pregnancy than usual. Most of these are available through food, but many medical experts recommend taking a prenatal vitamin to ensure adequate intake of certain nutrients, especially:

  • Folate or folic acid: Essential for spine formation. Taking it helps prevent spina bifida.
  • Iron: A critical component in blood and more.
  • Iodine: Essential for brain development and thyroid function.
  • Vitamin D: Important for fetal bone growth and more.

Supplements to avoid during pregnancy

Doctors may recommend that pregnant people avoid certain vitamins, minerals or supplements during pregnancy. For example, taking too much vitamin A (more than 3,000 micrograms) while pregnant may be harmful.

It may also be best to avoid herbal supplements, also known as botanical supplements, during pregnancy. This is because most aren’t backed by enough clinical evidence showing their safety in pregnancy.

These types of supplements also carry the risk of containing harmful contaminants. Some botanicals may even cause harm to the pregnancy, such as early pregnancy loss in rare cases.

It’s important for a pregnant person to tell a physician about all the medications and supplements they’re taking — before they start taking them, if possible.

Takeaway

Magnesium is a key player in the body’s metabolism, including in many processes in the pregnant person and fetus during pregnancy.

Getting the right amount of magnesium during pregnancy can help improve outcomes.

Providers often recommend prenatal vitamins for this reason. However, some supplements come with risks and are best avoided during pregnancy. Ask a healthcare provider before starting new supplements.

Crystal Run obstetricians and gynecologists are committed to all aspects of women’s health. Our OB/GYN providers offer a full range of gynecological care for women of all ages, including routine exams, Pap smears, prenatal and obstetrical care, as well as in-office procedures and minimally invasive surgery. Our in-office procedures include intrauterine device (IUD) placement, endometrial/vulvar biopsy, loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) and urodynamic study. Our board certified providers also perform minimally invasive surgeries, such as laparoscopic/vaginal robotic-assisted surgeries, to provide comprehensive OB/GYN care.