One of the most essential minerals during pregnancy is Iron. Iron is crucial for several fundamental biological processes. Iron helps carry oxygen and functions as a protein in red blood cells (erythrocytes). Iron supports muscular and neurological growth, as well as some hormone production.
Nutritional deficiency of Iron can arise due to several factors. Sometimes it can be due to consumption of a diet which lacks micronutrients and in rare cases, there can be genetic reasons too. Indian diet is calorie-rich (carbohydrate-rich) but micronutrient-deficient. The short- and long-term health and development of the unborn child can be negatively impacted by multiple deficiencies that Indian pregnant women suffer from. More than 80% of Indian women are anaemic.
Healthy pregnancy outcomes depend on a healthy, nutritious diet. A diet which is full of nutrients, minerals, and vitamins supports the health of both the mother-to-be and the growing baby. These nutrients, vitamins, minerals serve as the building blocks of the human body. Their requirements largely increase during pregnancy as the mother-to-be must support a new life too. She therefore need both a well-balanced diet and dietary supplements in the form of tablets to fill in the nutritional gaps in her diet. It can be difficult to get enough Iron intake during pregnancy, even though a pregnant woman carefully tries to include Iron in her diet. If she is a vegetarian or vegan and does not consume iron-rich meat or poultry, she has a more difficult battle. As a result, boosting your intake of iron-rich foods during pregnancy can be very beneficial.
The dietary Iron is found in two forms, which are:
- Heme
- Non-heme
Nonheme Iron is present in several Iron-fortified foods and plants (seeds, fruits, nuts, beans, vegetables, grains, etc.). Both the heme and non-heme components are present in non-vegetarian sources such as poultry, seafood, and meat.
What are the benefits of iron intake during pregnancy?
Iron intake during pregnancy is crucial for both the expectant mother and the developing foetus. Iron plays a pivotal role in the production of red blood cells, ensuring that the mother’s body can meet the increased oxygen demands during pregnancy. Sufficient iron levels also prevent maternal anaemia, a condition that can lead to fatigue, weakness, and complications during childbirth.
Moreover, iron is essential for the baby’s growth and development, supporting the formation of healthy red blood cells and ensuring proper oxygen supply to organs and tissues. Adequate iron intake reduces the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and infant mortality. It also enhances the baby’s cognitive and behavioural development.
Hence, a pregnant woman needs twice the amount of Iron, daily, during pregnancy. Deficiency of Iron can lead to conditions like anaemia.
Iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy
Pregnant women are at constant risk of anaemia due to deficiency of Iron. During this condition, the body doesn’t have enough new and healthy red blood cells. That’s the reason the body fails to transport oxygen to every tissue.
There are several symptoms of anaemia due to Iron deficiency:
- Irregular heartbeats (tachycardia)
- Fatigue and weakness
- Headaches
- Chest pain
- Breath shortness
- Skin paleness
- Dizziness
- Cold feet and hands
Anaemia during pregnancy is especially concerning because it can lead to low birth weight, early deliveries, and maternal mortality. In some cases, anaemia can be more severe and can lead to the death of the baby post-delivery.
A pregnant woman can experience anaemia during pregnancy if
- Women carrying twins or higher-order multiples are at a higher risk of developing anaemia.
- A diet lacking in iron-rich foods or a vegetarian/vegan diet without proper supplementation can contribute to anaemia.
- Certain chronic conditions such as kidney disease, gastrointestinal disorders, or autoimmune diseases can increase the risk of anaemia.
- Insufficient intake of iron during pregnancy.
- She had Iron deficiency anaemia previously.
Iron deficiency anaemia is an alarming condition during pregnancy. It needs immediate attention and proper treatment. This type of anaemia can result in several complications which can impose severe health risks such as:
- Postpartum depression
- Preterm birth
- Infections
- Low birth weight
- Blood transfusion during pregnancy
- Impaired growth of the foetus
How can a pregnant woman increase Iron intake through diet?
Iron is found in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian sources. The following food items (vegetarian and non-vegetarian) contain a good amount of Iron and should be included in the regular diet:
- Dark, green leaves (spinach, kale)
- Beans, lentils, peas, legumes
- Soybeans, tofu
- Nuts, seeds
- Sesame, pumpkin, flaxseeds
- Fruits (pomegranate, banana, raspberries, dried apricots, mulberries)
- Whole grains
- Meat, poultry, egg, fish
In addition to eating foods rich in Iron, adding foods that can enhance the absorption of Iron, such as foods high in Vitamin C, are also beneficial for the body. Vitamin C facilitates Iron absorption thus, consuming tomatoes, oranges, lemons, etc. is beneficial. Using Iron cookware also enhances the Iron levels in the food.
Along with the balanced-diet, Indian gynaecologists also recommend pregnancy vitamin supplements with iron to every pregnant woman.
When should a pregnant woman take iron tablets during pregnancy?
It is recommended to start consuming Iron-rich foods before the first prenatal consultation to avoid Iron deficiency anaemia. Iron-deficient diets are the primary reasons of anaemia, especially when the pregnant woman is vegan or vegetarian and unable to get enough Iron from non-veg sources. Thus, Iron is recommended in the form of pregnancy supplements.
How much Iron is a pregnant woman required to supplement?
ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) recommends 35 mg of Iron every day. As per the recommendations, the pregnant woman must consume this amount in the form of natural sources such as green leafy vegetables, cereals, etc. However, if she is anaemic, her doctor may prescribe a 60 mg Iron or more during her pregnancy. This is usually given in form of Ferric Ascorbate or Ferrous Fumarate orally.
Why should Iron be given in Slow-Release form?
Human Body absorbs only 12-18 mg Iron at one time. It’s best to take a small dose of Iron 2-3 times daily for best absorption and minimum side effects. However, this is not practical. Therefore, it is recommended to give an oral dosage of Iron in the form of Slow Release, which is gentle on the stomach. Slow-Release Iron leads to better and continuous absorption without leading to any toxicity in the body which can impact other biological processes. It will also reduce the symptoms of black stools, acidity & gastritis usually caused by a higher dose of Iron.
Can a pregnant woman take an international prenatal pill during pregnancy?
When it comes to choosing iron tablets for pregnant woman, Indian women are often confused. Being expensive, the purchase of international prenatal pills with iron is enhanced with the hope that these they would meet all the nutritional needs of pregnant women in India . However, this isn’t true all the time. Every country has a regulatory authority which structures certain guidelines of diet and nutrition for its people. International pregnancy vitamin supplements with iron are not designed keeping in mind the genetics, environment, and lifestyle of Indian pregnant women. Thus, consuming international iron tablet during pregnancy won’t be that much beneficial for an Indian pregnant woman these don’t follow ICMR guidelines. The amount of nutrients, minerals present in international prenatal tablets is not according to the Indian dietary requirements.
The best iron tablets for pregnancy for Indian pregnant women?
The pregnancy multivitamin with iron offers for the pregnant woman and the unborn babies. An iron-rich pregnancy vitamin tablet is essential for a successful and healthy pregnancy since it boosts energy levels in the mother, prevents anaemia, and supports the unborn child’s healthy growth and cognitive development. Though these iron tablets for pregnant woman are good, but they are inadequate which means they don’t contain the micronutrients as per the dietary requirements of Indian pregnant ladies.
Trimacare iron capsule for pregnancy is designed and formulated by a team of doctors, pharmacologists, and nutritionists following the guidelines of WHO and ICMR. Trimacare iron tablet for pregnancy is available in three separate packs for each trimester, as pregnancy demands vary by trimester, it offers all the 20+ nutrients necessary for holistic development of the child.
The first trimester itself is a sensitive phase where the pregnant woman must deal with a lot of changes and unpleasant experiences (such as morning sickness). Trimacare pregnancy vitamin tablet with iron is India’s first multivitamin that addresses pregnancy demands throughout the pregnancy while also providing trimester-specific care.
Trimacare 2 pregnancy vitamin supplement for the second trimester, and Trimacare 3 prenatal vitamins with iron contain 60 mg of Iron as Ferrous ascorbate. Trimacare women’s prenatal vitamin uses Unique Time Release form which allows slow absorption of Iron and prevents gastrointestinal side effects.
Trimacare 3 iron tablets during pregnancy contains Time-Release Iron, which decreases gastrointestinal discomfort and eliminates bloating associated with ordinary iron pills. Many prenatal pills contain iron, which could turn your faeces black.
Trimacare prenatal vitamins for women, on the other hand, do not turn your faeces black. Trimacare 3 prenatal multivitamins during pregnancy also contain a bowel regulator, which helps with pregnancy-related constipation.
Trimacare iron tablets for pregnancy can be introduced at any stage of pregnancy. Trimacare multivitamin for pregnant women is a one stop solution to fulfil all the nutritional needs during pregnancy. Hence, pregnant women can acquire 20+ important nutrients from one Trimacare prenatal pill to ensure they get everything they need during their pregnancy. Trimacare pregnancy vitamin supplement is made with natural, plant-based ingredients making it safe and chemical-free.
Trimacare iron capsule for pregnancy is recommended by leading doctors of India. This multivitamin tablet for pregnancy with iron is available both online (Amazon, 1mg, Flipkart) and offline at your nearest chemist.
You can continue using Trimacare iron tablet for pregnancy after delivery and during lactation period.
TrimacareTM iron capsule for pregnancy is recommended by leading doctors of India. This iron tablets for pregnancy is available both online (Amazon, 1mg, Flipkart) and offline at your nearest chemist.
