Should I drink iron before pregnancy? How much iron should I drink? These are the questions most commonly asked of women before starting an arduous journey of pregnancy.
Is it necessary to take iron before pregnancy?
In the process of carrying oxygen around the body, hemoglobin plays a very important role. And iron is needed to make hemoglobin. Therefore, before - during and after pregnancy, mothers need to pay attention to the iron supplementation for the body.
Effects of iron on pregnancy
For pregnant mothers
During pregnancy, the mother's blood volume increases by 50% compared to normal. The need for iron supplements has also increased 6 times. Monthly blood loss due to menstruation, through previous pregnancies, ... makes the amount of iron stored in the mother not much. Iron supplementation before starting your 40 week pregnancy journey is not to be missed.
Iron is an important component of hemoglobin. Prolonged iron deficiency disrupts erythrocyte production and leads to anemia. Iron deficiency will not result in a healthy pregnancy. The common effects pregnant mother will encounter are:
Miscarriage: iron-deficient pregnant women often experience dizziness, dizziness, difficulty breathing. Unsteady walking will be difficult to avoid falls, miscarriages, heavy bleeding during birth.
Iron deficiency will increase the infection rate for pregnant women. The death rate of mother and baby has also increased since then.
Increased risk of complications during pregnancy and postpartum. The most common is postpartum haemorrhage.
For the fetus
Iron deficiency anemia can cause many harm. Fetal malnutrition, premature birth, low weight ... are the effects that can completely occur. Even iron deficiency will cause the fetal's physical strength and mentality to not develop normally. IQ is also significant if iron deficiency is lacking.
Ways to supplement iron before pregnancy
From food
The easiest way is to get iron from the amount of food you eat each day. Iron-rich foods can be mentioned as greens, lean meat, sea fish, water spinach, ...
From iron supplements
Not all female bodies can absorb metabolic nutrients from food sources. To be able to supplement the necessary amount of iron, women can choose the option: iron.
In the market, there are two common types of iron: elemental iron and compound iron. Every day, pre-pregnant women are recommended a supplement with 15mg of elemental iron. To reach this level, women must take up to 45mg of iron fumarate or 125 mg of iron gluconate.
How long should I take iron before pregnancy?
The best time to drink iron
At least 3 months before pregnancy is the standard time to start iron supplementation. The amount of iron needed is between 30-60mg iron per day (according to the World Health Organization).
Anyone wants to have a healthy pregnancy. So, as soon as a woman is preparing for a birth plan, women should also "schedule" iron supplements every day. When storing enough iron needed, both mother and baby will avoid the dangerous complications caused by iron deficiency.
Obstetricians recommend: taking iron tablets combining with folic acid (50-60mg of elemental iron and 400mcg of folic acid) as soon as you know you're pregnant. Then, women will increase to 2-3 capsules / day if there is anemia.
Notes when drinking iron
Iron is essential for the body. Excess iron in the body will not be eliminated. If you store a large amount of excess iron, your body will face many problems. Women should consider the amount of iron taken into the body.
When taking iron, women should differentiate between elemental iron and compound iron. This distinction will help women choose the right type and provide the right dose according to needs. Iron intake is only really important when women have anemia, iron deficiency.
Before becoming pregnant, women should see their doctor to check their actual needs . After that, women can ask their doctor for advice to get the right iron.
Hopefully the article will help women understand more about how to take iron before pregnancy. Wish pregnant women healthy!
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