A significant amount of research has been conducted over an extended period to determine the Daily Iron Requirement During Pregnancy.
What is the daily Iron Requirement during Pregnancy?
Consequently, the conclusion is that an average pregnant woman requires about 30 mg of elemental iron per day to effectively maintain haemoglobin levels throughout pregnancy and to meet the demands of additional blood circulation, the maturing placenta, and the developing foetus.
Moreover, most combination prenatal vitamins contain the necessary iron, nearly double the amount required by a non-pregnant woman.
Meeting the adequate Daily Iron Requirement During Pregnancy helps your body produce more blood, a crucial factor for pregnant women as their total blood volume doubles over the course of pregnancy.
Factors Influencing daily Iron Requirement during Pregnancy
However, you might need more than 30 mg a day if you:
- Have low iron levels in your Hb test or iron deficiency at the start of your pregnancy
- Are carrying twins or triplets
- Took iron irregularly in early pregnancy
- Started taking iron late in pregnancy
Moreover, fifty percent of your iron intake will go toward the developing foetus and placenta. The other fifty percent will be used to increase the amount of blood in your circulatory system, providing protection for the mother during childbirth.
One can use the following recommendations to properly ‘pump iron’ in appropriate dosages during pregnancy.
Tips For Optimizing Daily Iron Requirement During Pregnancy
1. Know your numbers
Haemoglobin (Hb) measurement is a standard test conducted during the first visit for pregnant women, serving to evaluate physical status and detect anaemia. Furthermore, according to the World Health Organization, anaemia is diagnosed when a blood test reveals an Hb value of less than 110 g/L in pregnant women.
2. Read supplement labels
The label on your supplements should clearly list the amount of elemental iron in each dose. Look for the word ‘ferrous’ on the label of your supplement; it might appear as one of the following names for elemental iron:
- Ferrous gluconate
- Ferrous sulphate
- And, Ferrous fumarate
Moreover, it’s important to note that it doesn’t matter which form of iron supplement you take – all are quite effective. Pregnant mothers are generally advised to try different formulations until they find one, they tolerate completely. Ultimately, remember that iron only works if you actually take it.
3. Handle one issue at a time
Intake of iron supplements can worsen morning sickness symptoms during the first trimester. In case, if you’re struggling with nausea and vomiting, consider waiting a few weeks for it to subside before attempting to take iron supplements again.
4. Intake of adequate fibre
Prioritize an adequate intake of fibre. If iron worsens constipation, consider incorporating iron-rich foods that provide fibre into your diet, such as beans, spinach, and fortified whole-grain cereals. Furthermore, some iron supplements come in combination with stool softeners. For additional relief, pregnant mothers can also increase fibre in their diet or take a fibre supplement.
5. Find a formulation that works for you
Find a formulation that works for you. If, for instance, you have trouble swallowing pills, consider trying a tonic or chewable iron supplement, to meet the daily Iron Requirement During Pregnancy.
Additionally, your doctor might recommend an IV infusion, either to address iron deficiency or, more importantly, to increase blood volume as delivery approaches.
6. Pump postpartum iron
The new mother will likely need to continue taking iron supplements for a few more weeks to replenish the blood lost during childbirth. This is particularly crucial if there was excessive blood loss during delivery
To Conclude
To sum up, meeting the daily Iron Requirement During Pregnancy is one of the foremost priorities for the expecting mother, benefiting both her growing baby and her own health. Ultimately, this practice contributes to a hassle-free pregnancy and postpartum period.
