Iron intake is essential for the body because iron is in aid to produce hemoglobin in the body. Hemoglobin is the protein in RBC (Red Blood Cells) that is used to carry oxygen to the body organs and tissues present in the body. During pregnancy, the body of the woman requires more iron intake because her body carries 50% more blood than usual. Now you may have guessed the importance of iron tablets during pregnancy.
In This Article
- Side Effects of Iron Deficiency During Pregnancy
- When to Start Taking Iron Tablets in Pregnancy
- Best Time to Take Iron Tablets During Pregnancy
- Some Iron Supplements List For Pregnancy
- Iron During Pregnancy First Trimester
Side Effects of Iron Deficiency During Pregnancy
If any woman is suffering from a lack of iron that means she has more chances to acquire anemia. According to the study, Indian women are more iron deficient than the women of any other country because they take a vegetarian diet which is usually low in iron. As per the estimation, the deficiency of Iron increases the chances of complications during pregnancy.
Some common issues are:
- The baby is small than its gestational age.
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight baby
Therefore, iron intake is necessary for pregnant women. Along with this, it is also helpful in enhancing the immune system, growth of the placenta, and help to prevent infant mortality.
When to Start Taking Iron Tablets During Pregnancy
Generally, doctors recommend not to take iron supplements until the woman completes their 12 weeks pregnancy because the first 12 weeks are a crucial time of pregnancy and give harmful effects on the fetus. After 12 weeks to till the time of delivery a woman can take the iron intake to fulfill their blood requirement and immunity system.
Doctors recommend daily iron and folic acid supplements to pregnant women to prevent maternal anemia, low birth weight, puerperal sepsis, and preterm birth. The quantity of iron and folic acid supplement is 30 mg to 60 mg of iron and 0.4 mg of folic acid on a daily basis.
Best Time to Take Iron Tablets During Pregnancy
The perfect time to take iron supplements is one or two hours before or after meals because iron pills are absorbed will on an empty stomach. Doctors always recommend taking the iron tablets only with water as other foods such as tea, milk, coffee, etc., can deplete their value.
Some Iron Supplements List For Pregnancy
Along with various foods containing iron, doctors also prescribe iron supplements. It doesn’t mean that you have an iron deficiency, but your body needs more iron than usual intake along with prenatal vitamins with about 30 mg (iron).
There are some points about iron supplements which are needed to remember as follows:
- Take an appropriate dosage of iron supplements daily. If you skipped one, then, don’t take two the next day.
- Eat fiber-rich foods when you are on iron supplements. Iron tablets tend to harden the stool making it difficult to pass.
- Always check the manufacturing and expiry date of the supplement.
- In case of any allergic reactions immediately rush t the doctor.
Iron Tablets During Pregnancy First Trimester
There are quite a few reasons for not supplementing iron in the first trimester of pregnancy in women with no iron deficiency. The reasons include:
- Negligible demand by the embryo.
- During the first trimester, the intake of iron pills causes a lot of gastric problems.
- High iron stores in the body have been associated with malformations of the embryo in animal studies.
The demand for iron supplementation is inevitable in the second trimester of pregnancy. The iron demand from the growing embryo cannot be fulfilled by dietary iron alone and will lead to iron deficiency.
