Iron For Pregnant Woman

Did you know…?

Approximately 50% of all pregnant women develop iron deficiency anemia.

Iron is an essential part of all cells, and through the bloodstream it has the important job of carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. When a woman becomes pregnant, her body requires twice as much iron to support her new growing baby’s health as well as her own health (as iron now delivers oxygen to both mother and child).

Her higher iron needs are a result of:

·         The rapid growth of her body

·         The increase of her blood volume, especially in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy

·         The needs of the growing fetus and placenta

·         And finally, to prepare for the blood loss that eventually occurs at delivery.

The good news is that the body absorbs iron more efficiently during pregnancy, so pregnant women should try to eat at least three servings of iron-rich foods a day. Red meat is an excellent source of heme iron, which is readily absorbed. Restoring iron levels may also help with symptoms of tiredness, weakness and irritability.

Because it may be difficult to get enough iron through diet alone (who wants to eat burgers three times a day?), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that pregnant women take a daily iron supplement of 30 mg as a preventive measure. Before taking a supplement, talk to your doctor as your prenatal may already contain iron.

Are you at risk?

The risk for iron deficiency during pregnancy is even higher for:

·         pregnant women who experience severe morning sickness (with frequent vomiting)

·         a multiple pregnancy (the nutritional demands on the body are greater with twins, triplets or more babies)

·         mothers with two or more pregnancies close together

·         pregnant women who have a low-iron diet (i.e. strict vegetarian/vegan or someone on a restricted diet)

·         pregnant women who had very heavy menstrual periods before they became pregnant

It can be difficult to differentiate the symptoms of iron deficiency anemia from those that are common during pregnancy: you might feel tired, weak and dizzy or you may have no symptoms at all. Other symptoms that indicate you need iron include a rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, headache, irritability and trouble concentrating. Talk to your doctor about any symptoms that you might be having.

Can iron deficiency anemia affect my baby?

Yes! A pregnant woman with an iron deficiency has an increased risk for a premature or early birth. Preterm babies are usually born small with a low birth weight, and might have to spend extra time at the hospital.

Small or preterm babies are more likely to have health problems in the first year of life than infants who are born full term and are not small. Iron deficiency in an infant can delay normal infant development and mental function, like normal thinking and processing skills.

1. http://www.babycenter.com/0_iron-deficiency-anemia-in-pregnancy_3073.bc
2. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/iron#h7
3. http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/basics/vitamins/iron.html

Accessed: 11/02/11