How to keep your iron levels up during pregnancy
It’s important to keep your iron levels up during pregnancy. The demands of your growing baby mean you may need to boost your supply, particularly in the second and third trimesters.
Iron-rich foods
- Red meat
- Dark green vegetables such as broccoli and spinach
- Wholemeal bread
- Fortified breakfast cereals
- Pulses
- Egg yolk
- Nuts and seeds
- Dried fruit
Boost your iron intake
- Try to include iron-rich foods at every meal
- Eat iron-rich foods with foods rich in vitamin C, such as citrus or berry fruits or orange juice, as vitamin C helps your body absorb more iron
- Tea and coffee make it difficult for your body to absorb iron, so avoid them at mealtimes
- Although liver is a good source of iron it’s not recommended during pregnancy as it contains high levels of vitamin A
- Iron from fruit and vegetables is less easily absorbed than iron from meat or eggs
Iron deficiency (Anaemia)
- The routine blood tests you have during pregnancy will identify if you are low on iron
- Common symptoms include tiredness, headaches and breathlessness, although having these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you are anaemic
- If necessary, your GP will prescribe iron tablets
- If you are prescribed iron tablets, try to increase the amount of fibre in your diet to help counteract potential side effects like constipation