When you’re pregnant, your body needs more nutrition to support the new life growing inside you. And that includes your need for iron. If you’re unable to get all the iron you need, you may be at risk for an iron deficiency.
Around 1 in 5 pregnant people in the U.S. have low iron levels. I often see it in my practice as an obstetrician. Thankfully, this relatively common problem is easy to treat. But if it goes undetected, it can become severe and may raise the risk for certain pregnancy complications.
So, it’s important to know the signs that mean you could be falling short on this critical mineral. Here’s what you should know.
Iron deficiency and pregnancy: What’s the connection?
Iron is a key component of hemoglobin, a protein in blood that transports oxygen throughout the body. That’s always the case — whether a person is pregnant or not. But during pregnancy, it becomes harder to meet your body’s iron needs.
When you’re pregnant, your body’s blood volume increases by about 20% to 30%. To make more hemoglobin for the extra blood volume, you need a lot more iron. In fact, a pregnant person needs around 27 milligrams of iron per day, compared to 18 milligrams required before becoming pregnant.
Getting that much iron isn’t always easy. As a result, it’s not uncommon for people’s iron stores to become depleted during pregnancy. This can lead to a mild iron deficiency. If the deficiency progresses, it can turn into anemia. That’s a condition where someone doesn’t have enough hemoglobin to transport oxygen to their body’s tissues.
Anyone can become iron-deficient or anemic when they’re pregnant. Your risk might be higher if you:
- Are pregnant with multiples
- Don’t eat enough iron-rich foods
- Have had back-to-back pregnancies
- Had heavy periods before becoming pregnant
Signs of anemia in pregnancy
You might not notice a mild case of anemia. But if it becomes more severe, you may start to have symptoms like:
- Fatigue
- Feeling cold
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness or dizziness
- Racing heart
- Headaches
- Skin that’s dry, pale, or easily bruised
- Sore tongue
- Restless legs
Low iron and prenatal health
Low iron levels do more than cause unpleasant symptoms. Untreated anemia can affect fetal growth. It raises the risk for pregnancy complications, especially when the anemia is severe. For example, you may be at higher risk for:
- Preeclampsia
- Giving birth early
- Having a baby with low birth weight
After your baby is born, they’re also more likely to have anemia themselves. That could lead to developmental problems.
Managing iron deficiency during pregnancy
Most doctors screen for iron deficiency anemia during your first and second trimesters. They can do that by checking your iron levels with a simple blood test, called a complete blood count (CBC). If your provider hasn’t reviewed your iron levels, you can ask for a CBC.
If it turns out that you do have anemia, know that the condition is simple to treat. I usually treat my patients’ mild to moderate anemia with a daily prenatal vitamin or an iron supplement. But if your anemia is severe, you may need intravenous iron or a blood transfusion. Eating more iron-rich foods can also be beneficial. But that isn’t usually enough to fix anemia by itself.
Your iron levels may improve on their own after you give birth to your baby. Your doctor can check them with a simple blood test during one of your postpartum visits.
Reducing your risk for anemia during pregnancy
Taking steps to get your recommended 27 milligrams of iron during pregnancy can help prevent anemia. That starts with taking your daily prenatal vitamin. It delivers the nutrients you need for a healthy pregnancy — including iron, folate, and vitamin B12. Don’t add extra iron supplements unless your doctor prescribes them. Getting too much iron can be harmful.
Pay attention to your diet too. Try to eat plenty of iron-rich foods, including:
- Spinach
- Lean beef
- Turkey
- Beans and lentils
- Shrimp
- Enriched breakfast cereals
You can help your body absorb more iron from food by pairing it with foods high in vitamin C, like:
- Oranges
- Grapefruit
- Strawberries
- Broccoli
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
Finally, don’t skip any of your prenatal screenings. Regular visits with your obstetrician can help you keep an eye on your iron levels and have the healthiest possible pregnancy.
Temple’s team of obstetric doctors and nurses are available to ensure that you receive expert prenatal and postpartum care. Request an appointment online or call 800-TEMPLE-MED (800-836-7536) to schedule a visit today.
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