Medically Inspected by: Caridad Pacheco-Purugganan, MD
With your little one on the way, getting the right nutrients for both you and the baby is of the highest priority. One crucial mineral needed during pregnancy (and also after giving birth) is iron. But why is it so important and how can you get enough for you and your developing baby?
What is iron and what does it do for the body?
Iron is a nutrient that has many important roles in your body, including keeping you healthy and full of energy. Basically, the body needs iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that allows them to carry oxygen around the body, which fuels all the body’s natural processes and functions.
Why you need iron during pregnancy
During pregnancy, your body supplies blood and oxygen to both you and your baby, so the demand for iron goes up to keep up with the increase in blood supply. In fact, you need about twice the amount of iron (27 mg per day) than you do when you're not pregnant.
When there is insufficient iron in the body, you can develop anemia, which is the most common blood condition that a woman can develop during pregnancy. Anemia in pregnancy may put you and your little one at higher risk for certain complications, including low birth weight and preterm birth.
It’s also important to note that iron is an important mineral that the body doesn’t naturally make and can only be obtained through your daily diet or through supplements. That’s why incorporating iron-rich foods in your diet is encouraged, especially during pregnancy.
Some benefits of iron supplementation during pregnancy include:
Lowers risk for iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy
Iron deficiency can lead to dizziness, light-headedness, trouble with concentration, crankiness, and fatigue. On top of typical pregnancy symptoms, it can be challenging for moms-to-be, especially if it’s the type of exhaustion that disrupts your daily routine.
Helps improve birth weight
The birth weight of an infant is linked to mortality risk during the first year of life and to a lesser extent, to developmental problems in childhood, as well as risk of certain diseases in adulthood. A study on prenatal iron use showed that for every 10mg increase in iron intake daily (up to 66mg/day), the risk of maternal anemia was lower by 12%, birth weight was 15g higher, and risk of low birth weight was lowered by 3%.
Proper brain development
Iron plays an important role in how your baby’s organs form during fetal development, particularly the brain. Studies have suggested that iron is particularly important to the hippocampus, a brain structure responsible for memory and learning, which develops rapidly during the last stages of gestation.
May reduce risk of preterm birth
A higher risk of preterm birth (delivery before 37 weeks’ gestation) has been associated with severe or untreated iron deficiency during pregnancy. Complications of prematurity vary, but the earlier the baby is born, the higher the risk of complicated medical concerns. Short term complications may include concerns over breathing, the heart, brain, blood, and metabolism, while long term complications may lead to vision problems, impaired learning, chronic health issues, to name a few.
May help with milk supply during breastfeeding
Some evidence suggests that low iron levels could affect lactation. In the study, reduced postpartum hemoglobin level (below 95 g/L) was one of the factors associated with discontinuation of breastfeeding before the infants were four months old. The research came to the conclusion that it is important to treat iron deficiency, whether or not you have symptoms.
Tips for iron supplementation
During pregnancy, you will need 27 mg of iron daily. Some ways to boost your iron intake include:
- Adding iron-rich foods to your diet. These include lean beef, chicken, salmon, beans, lentils, spinach, kale, and broccoli.
- Eating Vitamin C-rich foods. Foods like citrus fruits, tomatoes, and bell pepper that are high in vitamin C can help the body absorb iron better.
- Taking iron supplements. Your doctor may recommend an iron supplement such as Iron + B-Complex + Folic Acid (Hemarate FA) to ensure you meet your daily iron requirements. It is always best to consult with your doctor to make sure you are getting the right amount.
ASC Ref No. U125P031521HS, U126P071421HS, U031P071621HS
Sources:
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0023/150089/antenatal-iron.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2711433/
https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/reducing-risks-of-birth-defects
https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/481447#ref38
https://academic.oup.com/ije/article/30/6/1233/651751
https://www.bmj.com/content/346/bmj.f3997
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/breastfeeding-and-your-diet
