Do you need iron supplements during pregnancy? What are the benefits of iron supplements during pregnancy?

Everyone must have heard a lot about the precautions during pregnancy, but do you know that you need to supplement iron during pregnancy? Today, let’s find out together, is it necessary to supplement iron during pregnancy, and what are the benefits of iron supplementation during pregnancy?

If necessary, you should pay attention to supplementing iron from an iron-rich diet starting in the early stages of pregnancy. In the second and third trimesters, not only does the pregnant woman's own demand for iron increase greatly, but the developing baby and placenta also have a greatly increased demand for iron.

1. After pregnancy, the amount of blood in the body will increase by nearly 50% compared to usual. Therefore, pregnant women need iron supplements to produce more hemoglobin.

2. Pregnant women should take iron supplements, especially in the second or third trimester, to provide energy for the developing baby and placenta.

3. Iron supplementation for pregnant women can make up for the lack of iron in the body before pregnancy.

How to supplement iron during pregnancy

1. Eat more iron-rich foods. Eat more iron-rich foods. The iron contained in animal liver, chicken blood, duck blood, meat and fish can directly bind to hemoglobin in the human body, so the bioavailability is relatively high and it is the best source of iron. For example, pork liver contains 25 mg of iron per 100 grams, and the absorption rate is also high. It is best to eat it 2 to 3 times a week, 100 to 150 grams each time. In addition, you can often eat lean meat floss, black fungus, kelp, seaweed, lotus seeds, soy products, dried shrimps and other iron-rich foods.

2. When supplementing iron in the diet, you should also pay attention to supplementing protein. Because the production of hemoglobin requires not only iron but also protein. Only by supplementing enough protein can the effect of iron supplementation be improved. Pregnant women who have already developed anemia should take iron supplements in addition to adjusting their diet. Generally, oral ferrous acid is the main method, and the dosage should be in accordance with the doctor's advice. In severe cases, multiple small blood transfusions should be given to correct the hemoglobin to above 9 grams/100 ml.

3. Eat more foods that help iron absorption. Fruits and vegetables can not only supplement iron, but the vitamin C they contain can also promote the absorption of iron in the intestines. Therefore, while eating iron-rich foods, it is best to eat more fruits and vegetables, which also have a good iron supplement effect. It is best for expectant mothers to eat eggs and meat at the same time to improve the utilization rate of iron in eggs. Or eat eggs and tomatoes at the same time, the vitamin C in tomatoes can improve the absorption rate of iron.

4. Take iron supplements under the guidance of a doctor. Pregnant women can check their iron levels after entering the second trimester. If necessary, you can take a small dose of iron supplements orally according to the doctor's prescription. If the iron supplements you take make your stomach uncomfortable, you can divide the amount you take into multiple doses to reduce gastrointestinal irritation.

What should you pay attention to when taking iron supplements during pregnancy?

1. Don’t drink soy milk. If pregnant mothers drink soy milk while eating iron-supplementing foods, the absorption rate of iron will be reduced, which will not have the effect of supplementing iron. A few hours should be allowed between the two.

2. Take vitamin C while supplementing iron. Pregnant mothers should remember to eat some foods containing vitamin C, such as oranges, while eating iron-supplementing foods, which can promote the absorption of iron.

3. Do not take too much. When pregnant mothers do not need iron supplementation, they do not need to eat foods that can supplement iron. Excessive iron supplementation can also cause physical discomfort.

4. Do not take iron supplements randomly. Do not take iron supplements unless necessary. Generally, it is recommended to take iron supplements through food unless recommended by a doctor.