Should A Pregnant Woman Include Iron In Her Diet?

Iron, an important mineral required by the human body helps to maintain the level of hemoglobin, transport oxygen to different parts of the body effectively and guard the immune system. The need for iron by pregnant women cannot be overlooked.

Some tips about pregnancy and iron:

• Iron is needed by all women because it is the mineral that is helps make hemoglobin, the protein in the blood cells that carries oxygen. Also iron is an important component of collagen, the protein in bones, cartilage and other connective tissues; myoglobin, the protein that helps in the supply of oxygen to the muscles and many other enzymes.

• It is significant that the blood in a pregnant woman increases by 50%; so a pregnant woman needs more iron to produce more hemoglobin. The iron recommended for a pregnant woman is 27 milligrams per day as compared to 18mg in anon-pregnant woman.

• Extra iron is also needed by the growing baby in the 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy; iron-deficiency anemia during pregnancy brings about complications like low birth weight, preterm delivery, and infant mortality.  

• Take care to not interfere with iron absorption during pregnancy; it is best to avoid drinking coffee and tea with meals. They contain compounds known as phenols; it is best to be careful while consuming caffeine during pregnancy.

• Increase your iron absorption by 6 times with eating a food like orange juice, strawberries, or broccoli that is rich in Vitamin C with each meal; this is especially recommended while eating a vegetarian source of iron as beans.

• Many healthy foods like phytates in whole grains and legumes, oxalates in soy foods and spinach, and calcium in dairy products are iron inhibitors; these foods are best eaten with an iron enhancer like Vitamin C rich foods or  small amount of fish, poultry or fish.

• Iron deficiency anemia during birth could involve blood transfusion, in addition to other problems like postpartum depression.

• Your baby takes care of all his/her iron needs in the uterus; however iron deficiency anemia in the mother would make the baby compensate on iron stores at birth. This could affect his/her growth and cognitive development and raise the risk for anemia later in infancy.

• If you take more iron than you need, it can cause your level of iron beyond a certain limit in the blood and cause problems for you and your baby.

• Calcium outside dairy foods like calcium supplements and antacids are best taken between meals to enhance iron absorption.  

• Last, but most important take an iron supplement only under the supervision of a doctor; too much iron is linked with developing gestational diabetes or oxidative stress. This imbalance in the body could play a role in infertility, preeclampsia, miscarriage, heart disease, hypertension and asthma.