Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] Dear Doctor, For pregnant women, they have to take calcium and vitamin c. I want to know can pregnant women take coral calcium instead of regular calcium supplement? Can they take ester-c instead of regular vitamin c? What do you think? Thanks for you time... Happy new year.. Heidi
[|AI|]  Hello, and I hope I can help you today. Calcium supplementation during pregnancy is helpful, as women use calcium to make breastmilk for the baby. Vitamin C is an important part of normal healthy diet as well. However, the type of calcium or of vitamin C really doesn't matter as they all are effective and safe supplements for pregnant women. The most important type of supplement that a woman requires during pregnancy is that of folic acid. Woman must take at least 400 mg folic acid per day to help prevent certain types of birth defects. It may be easier to just buy prenatal vitamins. Prenatal vitamins usually have all the required vitamin and mineral supplements essential for healthy pregnancy in one tablet.  There is no need to take additional supplements unless specifically prescribed by the doctor. I hope I was able to adequately answer your question today, and that my advice was helpful. Best wishes,