Iron in Pregnancy
Have you been advised to take iron in your pregnancy?
One of the regular blood tests taken during pregnancy is to check your iron levels.
What does this mean?
It actually means to check your haemoglobin (Hb) levels in your blood.
These are your red blood cells.
Your body needs iron to make red blood cells, which is why your Hb is often referred to as your iron levels.
What does Hb do?
Your red blood cells (Hb) carry oxygen around your body.
These cells bring oxygen to all of your organs, and to your baby.
Pretty important.
Why is this Important in Pregnancy?
During pregnancy, your blood volume increases. Or rather, the plasma increases. And this means that the circulating red blood cells become more dilute.
And at every birth some blood is lost. This is normal.
But it means that after birth, most women’s Hb levels will drop to some extent.
And there is a risk of haemorrhage at birth, which can drastically lower Hb levels and become dangerous.
So it makes sense to do something to keep iron levels up during pregnancy and going into the birthing phase.
How does it feel to have a low Hb?
Symptoms of anaemia are
breathlessness on exertion
fatigue
heart palpitations
headache
dizziness
generally feeling rubbish and irritable
paleness of skin and mucous membranes
What are the risks of anaemia?
Proper anaemia carries with it some risks which are important to consider.
leaves you more open to infection
makes it more difficult for your organs to work well with less circulating oxygen
postpartum anaemia can reduce milk supply
baby can be lower birth weight or premature as there is less Hb getting to baby
Now, iron tablets are VERY effective at treating proper anaemia.
If you become anaemic during pregnancy, raising it solely through dietary means is not usually effective.
Like everything, it’s better to try to maintain good health and Hb levels so that you don’t become anaemic in the first place.
Some pregnant women are more at risk for anaemia than others.
These include:
multiple pregnancies
pregnancies less than one year apart
poor nutrition
Many health boards are now advising that all pregnant women take iron tablets throughout pregnancy.
This is a mass-treatment strategy that is attempting to prevent major health risks if there is a haemorrhage at birth.
Yet every woman is going to have different levels of nutrition and different levels of Hb in her blood.
And there are side effects of iron tablets.
Iron tablets have marked side effects experienced by many women who take them, and these are
constipation
bloating
nausea
You can maintain your iron levels by
eating iron rich foods
drinking iron rich herbal teas
taking food/drink with vit C (vit C helps the iron to absorb)
and
NOT drinking coffee or tea with meals
NOT drinking milk with meals
NOT eating lots of dairy like yogurt with meals
NOT having antacids close to meals
Natural sources of iron include:
Meat (lamb, beef, chicken, turkey)
Fish
red lentils
spinach
kale
broccoli
brussel sprouts
fresh parsley
egg
dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher)
dried fruits, such as apricots or prunes
red kidney beans
chickpeas
beetroot
white beans, black beans, chickpeas
almonds
iron-fortified cereal
potato (with skin)
swiss chard
avocado
Iron-rich herbal teas:
nettle
raspberry leaf
Do YOU need to take iron tablets?
It’s important that you have a discussion with your midwife about your individual blood results and what that means for you.
You can’t make a decision without having the info about your latest blood results.
Usually you will have these results in your maternity notes.
If you have a multiple pregnancy, a pregnancy soon after a previous one, or just don’t think you eat enough iron-rich foods, than you may well benefit from a supplement.
Most health boards recommend an Hb of 110 or more throughout pregnancy.
Remember, maintaining your levels is important during pregnancy and you can do that with iron tablets. But you can also do that through food and herbs.
And if you do take the iron tablets, please see my article on treating constipation.
