By: Ana Reisdorf, MS, RD
5/7/2024
Taking good care of your health and the health of your baby is the most important thing you can do during pregnancy. There are so many demands on your body during this special time and prioritizing yourself is so important. One condition that can affect some women is low iron levels in the blood. If you don’t get enough iron while pregnant to meet the needs of yourself and your baby, you can end up with iron deficiency anemia.
If you are pregnant or expecting to get pregnant soon, here is what you need to know about how to maintain healthy iron levels during pregnancy.
What is iron deficiency?
Iron deficiency is not enough iron in the blood. It can lead to anemia, a common condition that impacts 36% of pregnant women.[1]
Anemia is a lack of healthy red blood cells. It is caused when the body is not able to make enough of a protein called hemoglobin because there isn’t enough iron available. Red blood cells circulate in the blood plasma and give blood its red color. Their main function is to move oxygen from the lungs and take it to all the cells in the body in a process called oxygenation.
When you are pregnant, the baby is the priority when it comes to nutrition. Therefore, you, as the mother, will be most at risk for iron deficiency. Some symptoms to look out for that can mean you have low iron include fatigue, hair loss, feeling cold all the time, and brittle nails.
If left untreated, lack of iron can start to affect the development of the fetus as well. The fetus’ brain needs plenty of iron, a lack of iron during development has been linked to an increased risk of autism and schizophrenia. It can also affect the child’s long-term brain development, particularly in the areas of memory, processing speed, and neuron growth.[2]
Iron deficiency in pregnancy can put both the mother and infant at risk of health complications and poor brain development. Iron is so important for your baby to develop well!
What causes iron deficiency during pregnancy?
To keep you and your baby well nourished, the amount of blood in your body must increase by 50%.[3] As your body starts to make blood quickly, the need for iron is more than the amount you might have stored in your body or can consume from your diet. The result is iron deficiency.
Certain factors will increase the likelihood that you will become iron deficient during pregnancy:[4]
- Severe morning sickness with frequent vomiting
- Not getting enough iron in your daily diet
- Heavy menstrual flow before the pregnancy
- Multiple pregnancies
- Two or more pregnancies in a row
If you believe you are at risk for low iron during pregnancy, speak to your doctor who can help you take proactive measures to support your levels.
Avoiding iron deficiency during pregnancy
The good news is that you can take steps to lower your chances of becoming iron deficient during pregnancy. Because iron deficiency is common in pregnant women, many doctors like to check iron levels during the first prenatal visit. Some doctors will repeat the test at about 28 weeks or whenever they are concerned about your iron levels. Staying in communication with your doctor is the best way to make sure your iron levels remain healthy.
A healthy diet can also help lower your risk of iron deficiency. Eat plenty of foods high in iron, some foods you may want to consider:
- Liver
- Red meats
- Seafood
- Poultry
- Eggs
- Dried fruit
- Nuts and seeds
- Beans and legumes
- Green leafy vegetables, such as broccoli, kale, and spinach
- Tofu
- Fortified pasta, cereal, and bread
Animal-based foods are a source of heme iron, which is better absorbed than the iron found in plants. To optimize your iron intake, consider selecting a variety of both plant and animal-based foods while pregnant.
Pairing your high-iron foods with a source of vitamin C can also help improve iron absorption. Foods high in vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, tomatoes, and grapefruit.
Iron supplementation during pregnancy
Since iron intake is a concern for all pregnant women, most prenatal vitamins include some iron in their formulation. However, sometimes women need more than what can be found in a standard prenatal vitamin.
If your doctor thinks you have low iron during pregnancy, he or she may have you take an iron supplement, such as our Proferrin® Heme Iron products. Using an iron supplement is especially common during the second and third trimesters. Proferrin® Iron Supplements are made with Heme Iron Polypeptide (HIP), a naturally occurring source of iron.
Proferrin® Heme Iron products for women can help keep iron stores from dropping during pregnancy.[5] It is uniquely formulated to reduce the occurrence of gastrointestinal distress which is common with other iron supplements.
If you know your diet lacks iron or you know you’re iron-deficient, Proferrin® Heme Iron can help. Always consult your doctor before taking any supplements and get specific instructions for Proferrin® Heme Iron.
REFERENCES
- Ataide, R., Fielding, K., Pasricha, S.-R., & Bennett, C. (2023). Iron deficiency, pregnancy, and neonatal development. International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics: The Official Organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, 162 Suppl 2, 14–22.
- Georgieff, M. K. (2020). Iron deficiency in pregnancy. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 223(4), 516–524.
- Soma-Pillay, P., Nelson-Piercy, C., Tolppanen, H., & Mebazaa, A. (2016). Physiological changes in pregnancy. Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, 27(2), 89–94.
- Anemia During Pregnancy. (n.d.). Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved April 16, 2024, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23112-anemia-during-pregnancy
- Abdelazim IA, Abu-Faza M, Elbiaa AA, Othman HS, Alsharif DA, Elsawah WF. Heme iron polypeptide (proferrin®-ES) versus iron saccharate complex (ferrosac) for treatment of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy. Acta Med Int 2017;4:56-6
