Benefits of Iron Pills for Pregnant Women

During pregnancy, women usually need about twice as much iron, especially to support the baby’s growth. If a pregnant woman’s iron levels drop too low, it can increase the chances of preterm birth or having a baby with low birth weight (under 5.5 pounds). Preterm birth is one of the leading causes of infant death, and low birth weight babies can face a bunch of health and developmental problems starting right after birth and continuing through childhood.

Because of this, doctors recommend that pregnant women take enough iron supplements daily—around 27 milligrams after checking with their healthcare provider. It’s also important to get tested for iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy and about 4 to 6 weeks after giving birth.

Why Pregnant Women Need More Iron

There are several reasons why iron needs go up during pregnancy:

• The amount of blood in a woman’s body can increase by up to 50% to support the baby and placenta, especially in the second and third trimesters.
• Many women start pregnancy with low iron stores, so they need to build them up.
• Iron helps prevent complications during and after delivery, like difficult labor, low birth weight, and even the risk of baby death right after birth.

Taking iron supplements during pregnancy can lower the risk of developing anemia caused by low iron levels.

Additional Info from Research

A 2017 study in the Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism found that giving iron injections to kids, especially those under two, could improve cognitive development. However, there’s no strong evidence linking iron deficiency in babies to brain damage.

How Much Iron Do Pregnant Women Need?

Pregnant women are usually advised to take 20-30 milligrams of iron daily to avoid anemia. Severe anemia from iron deficiency can cause problems if left untreated for too long. Vegetarians might need supplements since plant-based diets may not provide enough iron. On the flip side, women with normal iron levels typically don’t get extra health benefits from taking more than about 30 milligrams daily.

Tips for Taking Iron Supplements

Doctors often suggest taking vitamin C with iron supplements because it helps your body absorb iron better. Also, avoid taking iron supplements with calcium-rich foods, milk, or antacids, as these can block absorption. It’s best to wait about two hours after having any of these before taking your iron pill.

When to Start Taking Iron Pills

The CDC recommends that pregnant women start taking iron supplements at their first prenatal visit, often through prenatal vitamins that contain lower doses of iron.

Possible Side Effects

Keeping the right balance with iron is important. Too much can upset your stomach and cause constipation, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. Taking iron on an empty stomach can also irritate the stomach lining. The ideal dose is about 120 milligrams per week, usually one or two pills, which helps reduce anemia risk and encourages women to stick with the supplements longer.

Taking too much iron during pregnancy can be harmful to both mom and baby, so it’s important to follow your doctor’s dosage recommendations.

Iron for Breastfeeding Moms

Nursing moms also need enough iron—about 9 milligrams daily for those 19 and older, and around 10 milligrams if younger than 19. This helps prevent anemia since moms lose a lot of blood during delivery and shortly after. Doctors usually test hemoglobin levels right after birth to see if continued iron supplements are needed. Sometimes, blood transfusions might be necessary. Regular iron level checks are recommended, especially if you’re feeling very tired.

Breast milk contains small amounts of iron, but it’s enough to meet babies’ needs for about the first six months or until solid foods are introduced. Babies are born with iron stores to help during this time.

What Are Iron Salts?

Iron salts are different types of iron supplements, like ferrous sulfate and ferrous gluconate. Ferrous sulfate dissolves well in water and is absorbed better by the body compared to some other forms.