Why will I be given calcium tablets in pregnancy?
In short
- India's MCP Card schedule is two calcium tablets a day, for at least 6 months after your first trimester.
- It's free, given along with your iron-folic acid tablets.
- Your own dose may differ — always follow what your doctor tells you.
What happens
- You're given calcium tablets at your antenatal visit, usually starting after your first trimester.
- India's MCP Card schedule is two tablets a day for at least 6 months — your doctor will tell you what's right for you.
- Your provider checks your progress at later antenatal visits.
The details: numbers and where they differ
The numbers
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium supplementation (pregnant women, India (MCP Card)) | 2 tablets/day for ≥6 months after 1st trimester | Ministry of Health & Family Welfare / Ministry of Women and Child Development, Govt of India |
When to call your doctor
- If you're not sure how many tablets you've been given or how to take them alongside your other supplements.
- If you have side effects that make it hard to keep taking them — ask your doctor before stopping.
Discuss your results with your doctor: this page reports what these sources say, not advice for your situation.
Sources
- Ministry of Health & Family Welfare / Ministry of Women and Child Development, Govt of India, Mother and Child Protection (MCP) Card, 2018 Version, 2018. Paraphrased in our own words. © Govt of India, no reuse notice found on the card; treated as MoHFW default (cite + paraphrase).
Sources checked 2026-09-26. How we source and check every page.
Educational summary of named sources, not medical advice.