The iron requirement during pregnancy is 30 mg per day. This amount is difficult to achieve with a normal diet. Therefore, there is easily digestible juice made from herbal extracts available for purchase in pharmacies and health food stores. It is better suited as a dietary supplement than most tablet-form preparations, because these usually cause unpleasant constipation and are thus an additional burden for patients with hemorrhoids.
Iron – for healthy development
Every doctor will give an expectant mother the following advice:take plenty of vitamins. Why? These are important for the healthy development of the child and strengthen the mother during pregnancy. One of the most eminent vitamins isthe plus in iron. Without a sufficient iron balance, important cells do not reach their destination. For the unborn child, this deficiency can meansignificant damage: brain development is blocked, optimal oxygen transmission for the child is no longer guaranteed, and it can lead to malformations or even premature or miscarriages.
Therefore, it is important to ensure you have enough iron duringthe entire pregnancy.
Which foods contain plenty of iron?
Of course, Meat contains a lot of iron. Our body can absorb and use it excellently from this source. But vegetables and grains are also good sources of iron. However, there is a small problem: our body does not cope as well with the utilization of plant-based iron sources. Since one can hardly eat meat all day and the unborn child in the womb needs plenty of iron for healthy development, iron supplements are often advisable. It is not uncommon for the iron content in the blood to be checked during pregnancy. Via a blood test, the Hb value is determined, which provides information about the iron content in the blood. Subsequently, these values are noted in the maternity record for comparison. If the iron value is low, the doctor will prescribe a corresponding remedy.
Tip: the secret of the lemon
Vitamin C is a super carrier when it comes to iron. It helps the body filter iron from food and absorb it better. Therefore, freshly squeezed lemon juice should be on the menu daily. This can, for example, be drizzled over meat or used as a topping for salad. Orange juice is also recommended for morning muesli. But vitamin C-rich fruits like oranges, kiwi, and grapefruit as dessert are also ideal.
How does iron deficiency manifest itself during pregnancy?
Many pregnant women do not notice that they are suffering from anemia during pregnancy.
- Fatigue,
- shortness of breath, or
- lethargy
can, however, be the first signs. Do not panic immediately, but contact your doctor if you are unsure. Because all these symptoms can occur due to hormonal reasons both at the beginning and towards the end of pregnancy.
Does iron deficiency affect me after birth as well?
After birth, both the child and the mother are exhausted and must first recover from the strain. Most women now suffer from iron deficiency again due to high blood loss. Therefore, it is very important to act in time, because both the young mother and the newborn needincreased iron reserves. If this is ignored, however, it can be fatal for themother and also the infant.
The mother will feel fatigue, dizziness, headaches, and nausea. Often, total exhaustion is also a consequence of iron deficiency. If the mother is breastfeeding, the food for the baby may be insufficient. The necessary iron is important not only for the mother but also for the infant, and the baby in turn only receives the vital iron through breast milk. If the mother suffers from anemia, milk production is also reduced – the child is hungry. To reduce all these deficiencies, the mother should take approximately 20 mg of iron per day. Your midwife and doctor will recommend a corresponding preparation.
Read also:Â Household chores during pregnancy
Photo by Sabine, meinhaushalt.at
