Natural treatment for iron deficiency during pregnancy
During pregnancy, the heart
works harder to provide the fetus with adequate nutrition. The body increases
blood volume by 30-50%. Because of this increase in blood volume, it is also
important for pregnant women to increase their intake of folic acid and iron.
This may make you wonder how to treat iron deficiency during pregnancy
naturally.
Anemia is a condition in which
the body does not have enough red blood cells to transport oxygen around the body.
While there are several causes
of anemia, iron deficiency is the most common.
When iron levels are low, red
blood cells cannot carry oxygen to body tissues. While mild anemia during
pregnancy is normal due to increased blood volume, severe anemia can put you
and your baby at risk for preterm labor and low birth weight.
Symptoms of anemia during
pregnancy may include the following:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Difficulty concentrating
- Shortness of breath
- Pale skin
- Chest pain
- Lightheadedness
- Cold hands and feet
You may be at an increased
risk of developing anemia if you have multiple children, have two pregnancies
close together, do not eat enough iron-rich foods, or had heavy periods before
pregnancy.
How to treat iron deficiency naturally during pregnancy
If you think you may have an
iron deficiency, it's important to check with your doctor before trying to
self-diagnose yourself. An overdose of iron supplements can be dangerous and
cause liver damage, among other problems.
Your doctor will be able to
determine if you have an iron deficiency and prescribe the correct dose of iron
if needed.
If your doctor recommends that
you take iron supplements, it is important to take iron at least two hours
before or four hours after taking antacids, as they can interfere with iron
absorption.
Keep in mind that iron levels
can take several months to a year or more to recover, although you may start to
feel better after about a week of supplementation. You can schedule a follow-up
appointment to recheck your iron levels.
You can also try including
more iron-rich foods in your diet. These include dark green leafy vegetables
(such as spinach), red meat, poultry, pork, beans, peas, dried fruit,
iron-fortified bread, cereals, and pasta.
Taking vitamin C supplements
or eating foods that contain vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, strawberries,
kiwifruit, melons, leafy green vegetables, tomatoes, and peppers, can also help
iron absorption.
Keep in mind that the iron
found in plants is not as easily absorbed as the iron found in meat. Thus, when
eating iron-rich plants, it is best to consume foods containing vitamin C at
the same time to help iron absorption. However, some people cannot easily
absorb iron from food, so iron supplements may still be recommended.
How to treat iron deficiency during pregnancy if it doesn't work naturally
If supplements do not improve
iron levels, there may be another cause of anemia, such as malabsorption of
iron. In such cases, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat the peptic
ulcer or other treatment depending on the cause. In severe cases, intravenous
iron supplements or blood transfusions may be required.
If you think you are at risk for anemia, talk to your doctor so that you can be tested at your first prenatal visit.