Iron out problems

Iron is an important mineral at every stage of life. It helps in making red blood cells, which carry oxygen around your body. That’s why you might feel tired if you’re low on iron, which can lead to anaemia. When you’re pregnant, getting enough iron is even more crucial because it helps with your baby’s brain development. 

Dr Donée van Rooyen, an obstetrician and gynaecologist  at Mediclinic Cape Town, explains that your baby’s brain is the only organ that keeps developing throughout the entire pregnancy. Other organs form between nine to 12 weeks and then just grow. The brain, however, continues to develop complex pathways and structures, and iron is needed for this process.

That’s why iron deficiency can lead to problems for babies after they’re born and as they grow up. These issues include a higher risk of being born early or with low birth weight. Low iron in mothers can even affect bonding with their newborns. As children grow, they might experience mood swings, depression, trouble recognising things, and slow processing speed.

Low iron levels also affect the mother’s health. Pregnant women may feel very tired and have a higher risk of heavy bleeding because there’s not enough oxygen reaching the uterus.

Although this might sound worrying, your healthcare professional will make sure your iron levels are where they need to be. Dr Van Rooyen says doctors usually check iron levels at about 25 weeks into pregnancy.

Taking an iron supplement might be beneficial. Pregnant women are advised to have between 30-60 mg of elemental iron daily. “Ask your doctor to recommend a supplement that doesn’t cause constipation,” Dr van Rooyen advises. Iron supplements now also come as gummies or in syrup form, which can be easier to take than pills.

It’s also a good idea to eat more iron-rich foods. Fill your plate with red meat, dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, beetroot, lentils, eggs, and dark chocolate. However, Dr Van Rooyen cautions not to depend solely on diet to meet your iron needs. “This might be adequate for non-pregnant women, but you need much more iron when you’re expecting, especially if you were iron deficient before pregnancy, which some women are due to blood loss during menstruation. A diet lacking in iron can be another reason, along with poor iron absorption, which can happen if you drink tea with meals or consume too much calcium. Additionally, a lot of your iron is used by your baby,” she explains.

If you’re worried about anaemia or low iron levels, make sure to talk to your doctor.