Overview
Iron deficiency anemia means that you don't have enough iron in your blood. Without enough iron, your body can't make the red blood cells that carry oxygen to the tissues in your body and make the extra blood you need for your baby to grow. You need even more iron when you are pregnant.
You may not know your iron is low because you may not have obvious symptoms. But you may feel weak and sick. Or your skin may look more pale than usual.
You may have a higher risk for problems after you have the baby. Having anemia in pregnancy may make it more likely to have your baby early (preterm birth). Or your baby may have a low birth weight. Treating iron deficiency early in your pregnancy lowers these risks and decreases the chance of having more serious anemia after your baby is born.
When you’re pregnant, it can be hard to get all the nutrients you need from the food you eat. Eat a variety of foods and take a daily prenatal vitamin supplement with iron, folic acid, and vitamin D.
Eating iron-rich foods and taking a daily prenatal vitamin can lower your risk of developing anemia. Eat foods with iron every day:
- Include meat, chicken, turkey, pork, eggs, fish, and shellfish with your meals.
- Add tofu or edamame (soybeans) to a stir fry or salad.
- Add dried beans, peas, and lentils to soups, salads, casseroles, chili, and sauces.
- Add molasses, nuts, or dried fruit (raisins, dates, or apricots) to cereals and baked goods.
- Choose whole grains and cereals fortified or enriched with iron.
- Cook in cast-iron cookware to increase the amount of iron in foods.
- Eat fruits or vegetables along with your iron-rich foods. The vitamin C in them helps your body absorb the iron.
Go to Alberta Health Services
Iron and your health page for more information. You'll find out about how much iron you may need and foods with iron and serving sizes.
If the food you eat does not give you as much iron as you need, iron pills can help. Iron is included in some multivitamins and in prenatal vitamins. Check the label to make sure your daily prenatal vitamin has iron. Ask your doctor, midwife, dietitian, or pharmacist if you have questions about vitamins.
Often when you take iron pills you may notice dark coloured bowel movements. You may also become
constipated. To avoid this drink enough water, include physical activity into your day, and eat foods that are high in fibre.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
How can you care for yourself at home?
- Take a daily prenatal vitamin that has iron in it when you are pregnant and breastfeeding. If your doctor or midwife recommends a prenatal vitamin or iron supplement, take it as directed. Call your doctor, midwife, or nurse advice line if you think you are having a problem with your supplements.
- If your doctor or midwife tells you to take iron pills:
- You may need to take iron with food to avoid an upset stomach. Taking the iron pill in the evening may also help.
- Do not take antacids or caffeine drinks (such as coffee, tea, or cola) at the same time or within 2 hours of the time that you take your iron pill. They can keep your body from absorbing the iron well.
- Calcium is an important nutrient during pregnancy. But calcium can interfere with how well your body absorbs iron. Avoid having dairy (milk, yogurt, cheese), or calcium pills within 1 hour of taking your iron supplement. Try to avoid combining foods that are high in iron with foods high in calcium (dairy products).
- Be sure to drink plenty of fluids. And include fruits, vegetables, and fibre in your diet each day. This may help with stomach problems caused by iron pills. Problems include heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and cramps.
- Do not stop taking iron pills without talking to your doctor or midwife first. It will take several months for your body to build up a store of iron.
- If you miss a pill, do not take a double dose of iron or prenatal vitamins.
- Keep iron pills out of the reach of small children. An overdose of iron can be very dangerous.
- Talk to your doctor, dietitian, or midwife about any cravings for ice or non-food items such as dirt, ashes, clay, or chalk. These cravings can be a sign of iron deficiency anemia.
- Vitamin C may help your body absorb iron. Some people take their iron pills with a glass of orange juice or some other food high in vitamin C.
For more information about iron deficiency and iron-rich foods go to:
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
Enter W621 in the search box to learn more about "Iron Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy: Care Instructions".
