Anemia in Pregnancy
Iron is essential for many functions in your body including building red blood cells and carrying oxygen to your tissues and your baby. Optimal iron levels in pregnancy can impact energy levels, mood, fetal development, risk of bleeding at the time of birth, and human milk production. It is not uncommon for anemia to develop in prior to, during or after pregnancy.
Hemoglobin: the iron you have readily available to use. You can think of hemoglobin as the cash in your wallet for everyday use.
Ferritin: the iron you have stored in your body. You can think of Ferritin as the balance in your savings bank account, for when your cash is low.
Your prenatal vitamin will have Iron it in, but if any of your bloodwork comes back showing that you have low hemoglobin (anemia) or ferritin (iron stores) your Midwife will be in contact with recommendations on how to additionally supplement.
General rules regarding iron include:
When consuming iron (either dietary or supplement), combine with Vitamin C such as oranges, strawberries, tomatoes, or a 500-mg vitamin C tablet. This helps the body to absorb iron.
Avoid caffeine and dairy while consuming anything that contains iron. Products such as milk, yogurt, cheese, calcium pills, or antacids (like Tums) consumed within approximately an hour of an iron rich meal or iron supplement can hinder the body's absorption of iron.
Cook in a cast iron pan, or add an "Iron Fish" (available online) to pans while cooking
If taking an iron supplement, it is best to take it on an empty stomach, either first thing in the morning or right before bed.