Iron is important for everyone, especially pregnant women. The body does not produce iron and can only be obtained through diet or supplements. According to the American Pregnancy Association, about 15-25% of American women develop iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy. For pregnant women in our country, about 1/4 of them have this situation.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" >Why is iron important during pregnancy? </h1>
The body uses iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that deliver oxygen to the body's tissues. During pregnancy, the heart works harder to provide adequate nutrition for fetal growth and development. The body's blood volume increases by 30-50%, and the body needs extra iron to make more hemoglobin.
Iron is important for fetal brain development, and iron deficiency fetal neurofunction is poor, increasing the risk of postnatal intellectual disability, autism, ADHD and other diseases.
Iron reduces the chance of needing blood transfusions and postpartum anaemia during childbirth.
Untreated mothers with iron deficiency during pregnancy are more likely to have anemia in their children.
Iron deficiency during pregnancy has been associated with preterm birth, low birth weight infants, infant mortality, and postpartum depression. @Functional Medicine
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" > what are the risk factors for iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy? </h1>
The interval between pregnancies is short
Pregnant with multiple fetuses
Morning sickness is often present
Overweight before pregnancy
High menstrual volume before pregnancy
There is a history of anemia before pregnancy
Vegetarian
Other: Such as regular blood donation, gluten sensitivity, women with bowel disease and other chronic diseases
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" > signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy</h1>
Unless the cell count is very low, there may be no significant symptoms of anemia during pregnancy. Symptoms may include:
tired
weak
headache
Pale skin
Hands and feet are cold
arrhythmia
Vertigo or dizziness
Swollen or sore tongue
Difficulty concentrating
Shortness of breath or chest pain, especially during physical exercise
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" how to supplement iron during pregnancy >? </h1>
Hospitals typically prescribe blood tests to screen for iron deficiency during pregnancy, and then decide how to supplement iron based on your symptoms, degree of iron deficiency, and general health.
1. Food acquisition
If you suffer from mild iron deficiency anemia, you can treat your symptoms naturally with a healthy, balanced diet. Getting iron from food usually does not present with the intestinal discomfort that certain iron supplements may cause.
There are two types of iron in food: heme iron and non-heme iron.
1) Heme iron is derived from animals and is found in red meat, poultry and seafood. Heme iron is more easily digested and absorbed by the body. These foods include:
Red meat: pork, lamb, beef, liver (liver is recommended no more than once a week)
Poultry: chicken, duck, turkey, eggs
Seafood: shrimp, clams, scallops, tuna, sardines, anchovies, salmon, cod, tilapia, catfish, trout
2) Non-heme iron The main source is plants, and it is difficult for the human body to absorb iron from plant foods. But some plants are also good sources of iron. It is found in whole grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, and iron-fortified products. For example:
Vegetables: spinach, beets, kale, broccoli, tomatoes
Fruits: apricots, plums, strawberries, raisins, figs, raspberries, cherries
Beans and products: peas, lentils, broad beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, tofu
Whole grains: oats, barley, brown rice, whole wheat bread
Nuts and seeds: cashews, almonds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds
The demand for iron increases during pregnancy, and it is difficult to meet the body's needs simply from the diet, especially after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Therefore, you may need additional iron supplementation, but be sure to do so under the guidance of a doctor. @Headline Hotspot
2. Oral iron supplementation
Oral iron supplementation is the most common treatment for anemia. There are many different types available, the most common being ferrous sulfate, among others:
Ferric sulfate
Ferrous gluconate
Iron citrate
3. Intravenous iron supplementation
Some people may need intravenous iron due to their own factors, such as the body's inability to tolerate oral iron supplementation, difficulty absorbing iron in the gastrointestinal tract, etc. There are several different types available, including:
Dextran iron
Iron sucrose
Iron gluconate
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" > the more iron the better? </h1>
Too much iron supplementation during pregnancy can be risky. Such as the risk of gestational diabetes or oxidative stress. Oxidative imbalance is thought to be associated with infertility, preeclampsia and miscarriage, and has been linked to heart disease and high blood pressure. Chronically high iron levels can damage your organs, especially your kidneys.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" > precautions for iron supplementation</h1>
Iron is best taken on an empty stomach, but iron may cause stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea. Therefore, doctors generally recommend taking it half an hour before a meal or 1 hour after a meal.
When taking iron, be sure to put the iron on your tongue, take it with water, and do not chew it, otherwise you may blacken your teeth.
Many healthy foods contain "iron inhibitors" that interfere with iron absorption. Iron inhibitors include phytic acid in whole grains and legumes, polyphenols in coffee and tea, oxalates in soy foods and spinach, and calcium in dairy products. Try avoiding these foods two hours before and after taking iron. Antacids and calcium supplements should also be taken separately from iron for at least an hour.
Add foods rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C promotes iron absorption, especially when eating vegetarian (iron containing non-heme) iron supplementation, vitamin C can help you absorb up to 6 times more iron. Vitamin C-rich foods such as citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwifruit, melons, leafy greens, tomatoes and bell peppers.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" > side effects of iron supplementation</h1>
Constipation If constipation occurs, you can try to drink more water, eat some high-fiber vegetables and fruits to promote intestinal peristalsis and reduce the symptoms of constipation.
Nausea or diarrhea Try with a small snack or take at bedtime.
Stool dark green or black This is a normal and harmless side effect, don't worry.
<h1 class= "pgc-h-arrow-right" > common sense</h1>
It is difficult to obtain the recommended amount of iron through food alone, and cooking with cast iron can increase the iron in food by 80%.
Eat more folate-rich foods Folic acid can work with iron to help cells grow, and if you don't consume enough folic acid during pregnancy, you may be deficient in iron. Folic acid-rich foods such as dark green leafy vegetables, dried beans, peas, wheat germs, citrus fruits, and most berries.
When eating meat food, make sure to cook Undercooked meat may increase the risk of bacterial infections, such as listeria, which can cause serious diseases to pregnant women and babies, so it must be paid attention to when eating meat with iron supplements.
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