Among the most common conditions that provoke iron deficiency, the most common one is during pregnancy. When a woman is expecting, the heart works harder to supply adequate nourishment to the fetus. The body gets an increased blood volume by around 30-50% which demands for an increased intake of folic acid and iron. The condition, if not taken care of, leads to iron deficiency in pregnancy.
So, how to treat iron deficiency during pregnancy?
What is iron deficiency anemia?
An anemia is a condition in which the body doesn’t receive adequate amount of red blood cells that are required to carry oxygen to the different parts of the body. There can be several causes of anemia among which iron deficiency is the most common.
When there is a substantial dip in the iron level, there are not much red blood cells available to carry oxygen to the tissues and organs through the body. During pregnancy, the condition is pretty common.
If the deficiency is mild due to increased blood volume, there is not much to worry about and it can be treated with the right food rich in iron content. However, if there is severe anemia experienced during pregnancy, it can be severely risky for the expecting mother as well as for the baby that can be born premature and at low birth weight.
How to know if you are suffering from anemia during pregnancy?
Some of the common symptoms that show up during iron deficiency in pregnancy include:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Difficulty concentrating
- Shortness of breath
- Pale skin
- Chest pain
- Lightheadedness
- Cold hands and feet
In case a lady is carrying more than one fetus, she is prone to a greater risk of developing anemia. The risk is higher when there are two close pregnancies one after another. The same is the case when the expecting mother doesn’t eat enough iron-rich foods. Even if a lady experiences heavy periods prior to getting pregnant, she can be anemic during her pregnancy period.
Iron rich foods to eat during pregnancy
If a lady suspects to be anemic during pregnancy, the first thing to do is to visit the doctor before self-treatment. A proper diagnose to check the level of haemoglobin is necessary. An overdose of iron supplements can be dangerous, potentially causing liver damage among other problems. So, relying on your doctor to determine if you have an iron deficiency is better to get prescribed the correct dose of iron to take, if necessary.
Also, if the doctor prescribes an iron supplement, it is important to intake the same at least two hours before or four hours after taking antacids as they can interfere with iron absorption. It might take few months to restore the iron levels, though one might feel better after a week of taking the medicine. It also calls for regular check-up and follow-up appointment to make sure if the supplement is working.
Apart from taking iron supplements, there are some iron-rich foods suggested in the regular diet. These include green leafy vegetables like spinach, red meat, pork, poultry, beans, peas, and dry fruit along with iron-fortified bread, cereal, and pasta. Fruits rich in Vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, melon, leafy green vegetables, tomatoes, and bell peppers are quite effective as aid in iron absorption.
Iron that are found in plants are not absorbed readily, unlike the iron content in meat. So, when you are taking iron-rich plants, it is best to eat foods containing vitamin C at the same meal to aid in iron absorption.
When is iron supplement necessary?
There are some individuals who cannot absorb iron from food. So, for them iron supplement is necessarily required and recommended.
Are iron supplements safe?
Not all iron supplements are safe and free of adverse effects. Some of the common side effects experienced while taking iron supplements are:
- Dark stool
- Discolored urine
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Flatulence
- Constipation
- Dizziness
Is there a safe iron supplement?
Thankfully yes. Iron Catch is a safe supplement which doesn’t have any adverse effects. It is the only iron supplement which doesn’t contain any iron in it. It works by regulating the iron absorption power of the body by three to five times from regular food. It is made from specific fish oligosaccharides that promote absorption of heme and non-heme iron.
To order Iron Catch, contact the official manufacturer Innovative Med Pharmaceuticals. Visit the official website https://www.iron-catch.com/ or call at 833.550.6660 to place your order.
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