Pregnancy and Iron: Why iron is so important for your pre and postpartum health

09/08/2021

Pregnancy means constantly trying to make sure you’ve got enough for two. Enough food, rest, nutrients, and — you guessed it — iron. So why is it that 50% of pregnant women and up to 30% of postpartum women struggle with low iron? 

Let’s get to the bottom of it. Here’s everything you need to know about pregnancy and iron — both pre and postpartum. Plus, what you can do to keep iron levels high for you and your new bundle of joy. 

Why is iron so important in the first place? 

Iron is responsible for producing a chemical in your body called hemoglobin. This powerful chemical then creates red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the rest of your body. In a nutshell, iron is essential for your body to thrive. 

How can you tell if you’re low in iron?

Here are a few of the most common symptoms of iron deficiency and anemia: 

• Fatigue 
• Shortness of breath 
• Cold hands or feet
• Feeling faint, light-headed, or weak
• Hair loss
• Headaches

Why is low iron so common for pregnant women? 

Simple: you suddenly need enough iron to supplement two people instead of one. Between conception and birth, your body is working double time to build the placenta and produce more red blood cells than usual. All of that requires iron — and lots of it. 

Plus, women are already prone to low iron. Add pregnancy to the mix, and the struggle multiplies. 

Why do new moms experience low iron?

There are several possible reasons, but the most common is that you were anemic during your pregnancy. Iron deficiencies can often continue into your postpartum life, typically lasting anywhere from 6 to 12 months after giving birth (or longer). 

You might also have postpartum anemia if you experienced heavy bleeding during delivery or if you had multiple births at once. 

What are the dangers of anemia during and after pregnancy?

Low iron poses several potential risks to you and your child — before, during, and after the birth. Some of these dangers include: 

• Premature birth 
• Baby with a low birth weight 
• Increased risk of infant death 
• Affects muscle function, uterus contraction, and start delivery 
• Baby may have low iron stores at birth
• Low milk supply
• Postpartum depression 
• Increased risk of blood transfusion during or after delivery

How much iron is needed during and after pregnancy? 

On average, pregnant women need about 30mg of iron per day. However, you should aim to intake more than that if: 

• You already had low iron before your pregnancy. 
• You didn’t take enough iron at the beginning of your pregnancy. 
• You’re having twins or triplets. 

After birth, women who are breastfeeding should aim to consume a minimum of 9mg of iron per day. If you had low iron during your pregnancy, you should continue with the 30mg of iron per day to avoid postpartum anemia.

What are the benefits of taking Ferosom for pregnant and postpartum women?

Ferosom Forte is like an iron supplement superhero. It’s microencapsulated in Liposomal form, which means it doesn’t have to be converted for your body to absorb it. Plus, a proprietary LCE coating means it avoids acid breakdown in the stomach and goes straight to where your body needs it most. 

What does all of this mean for your pregnancy and postpartum journey? Ferosom is proven to work as well as certain doses of IV iron. With higher absorption rates and fewer gastro-intestinal side effects, you can easily increase your iron intake to keep you and your baby happy and healthy. 

The best part? Ferosom comes in a sachet form that tastes amazing and is easily added to smoothies, shakes, or a tall glass of water. Turns out, increasing your iron intake can actually be enjoyable!

Learn more about Ferosom Forte right here and use promo code MOMMY25 to save 25%