During the last half of pregnancy, your body makes more red blood cells in order to supply enough for you and your baby. Every red blood cell uses iron as its core. Iron cannot be made by your body and must be absorbed from the foods you eat. Show
Although iron is found in many foods, it is hard to absorb, making it difficult for your body to get enough to meet its needs during pregnancy. When you don't have enough iron in your diet, you make fewer red blood cells, which is called anemia. Iron deficiency anemia is very common and is easy to correct. Your body also needs a nutrient called folate to make healthy blood cells. Folate is easily absorbed and found in most green vegetables. Causes of Anemia
Anemia Signs and SymptomsOften, women with anemia don't have specific symptoms. If anemia is severe, you may feel tired and weak. Preventing Anemia
Continue reading Iron SupplementsBecause it is difficult to get enough iron from your diet, you may need to take an iron supplement. There usually is enough iron in your prenatal vitamin to prevent anemia, but your provider may prescribe an extra iron pill if you are anemic. If the iron tablet upsets your stomach, take it with a small amount of food. Do not take your iron tablet with dairy products or calcium supplements. Iron-Rich FoodsThe recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of iron during pregnancy is 30 milligrams. Here are some foods rich in iron. Foods that provide .5 to 1.5 milligrams of iron:
Foods that provide 1.6 to 3 milligrams of iron:
Foods that provide 3 to 12 milligrams of iron:
Additional sources of iron:
A healthy pregnancy diet will promote your baby's growth and development. Understand which nutrients you need most and where to find them. By Mayo Clinic StaffDuring pregnancy, the basic principles of healthy eating remain the same — get plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats. However, a few nutrients in a pregnancy diet deserve special attention. Here's what tops the list. Folate and folic acid — Prevent brain and spinal cord birth problemsFolate is a B vitamin that helps prevent serious problems with the developing brain and spinal cord (neural tube defects). The synthetic form of folate found in supplements and fortified foods is known as folic acid. Folic acid supplementation has been shown to decrease the risk of premature birth and having a low birth weight baby. How much you need: 400 micrograms (mcg) a day of folate or folic acid before conception and 600 to 1,000 micrograms of folate or folic acid a day throughout pregnancy Good sources: Fortified cereals are great sources of folic acid. Dark green, leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, and dried beans, peas and lentils are good sources of naturally occurring folate.
In addition to making healthy food choices, taking a daily prenatal vitamin — ideally starting at least three months before conception — can help ensure you're getting enough of this essential nutrient. Anyone who might become pregnant should take a daily vitamin supplement containing folic acid. Calcium — Strengthen bonesYou and your baby need calcium for strong bones and teeth. Calcium also supports healthy functioning of the circulatory, muscular and nervous systems. How much you need: 1,000 milligrams (mg) a day; pregnant teenagers need 1,300 milligrams a day Good sources: Dairy products are the best absorbed sources of calcium. Nondairy sources include broccoli and kale. Many fruit juices and breakfast cereals are fortified with calcium, too.
Vitamin D — Promote bone strengthVitamin D works with calcium to help build your baby's bones and teeth. How much you need: 600 international units (IU) a day Good sources: Fatty fish, such as salmon, is a great source of vitamin D. Other options include fortified milk and orange juice.
Protein — Promote growthProtein is crucial for your baby's growth throughout pregnancy. How much you need: 71 grams (g) a day Good sources: Lean meat, poultry, seafood and eggs are great sources of protein. Other options include beans and peas, nuts, seeds, and soy products.
Iron — Prevent iron deficiency anemiaThe body uses iron to make hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein in the red blood cells that carries oxygen to the body's tissues. During pregnancy, you need double the amount of iron that nonpregnant women need. Your body needs this iron to make more blood to supply oxygen to your baby. If you don't have enough iron stores or get enough iron during pregnancy, you could develop iron deficiency anemia. You might develop headaches or become fatigued. Severe iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy also increases the risk of premature birth, having a low birth weight baby and postpartum depression. How much you need: 27 milligrams a day Good sources: Lean red meat, poultry and fish are good sources of iron. Other options include iron-fortified breakfast cereals, beans and vegetables.
Prenatal vitamins typically contain iron. In some cases, your health care provider might recommend a separate iron supplement. The iron from animal products, such as meat, is most easily absorbed. To enhance the absorption of iron from plant sources and supplements, pair them with a food or drink high in vitamin C — such as orange juice, tomato juice or strawberries. If you take iron supplements with orange juice, avoid the calcium-fortified variety. Although calcium is an essential nutrient during pregnancy, it can decrease iron absorption. Supplements — Ask your health care providerEven if you eat a healthy diet, you can miss out on key nutrients. Taking a daily prenatal vitamin — ideally starting at least three months before conception — can help fill any gaps. Your health care provider might recommend special supplements if you follow a strict vegetarian diet or have a chronic health condition. If you're considering taking an herbal supplement during pregnancy, consult your health care provider first. Some herbal supplements might be harmful to your pregnancy. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like
COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only
use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Feb. 18, 2022
See more In-depth See also
. Which nutrient needs are increased the most during pregnancy quizlet?The need for vitamin B increased during pregnancy because of vital role of these vitamins as coenzyme factors for energy production and protein metabolism. Increased vitamin D needs to ensure the absorption and use of calcium and phosphorus for fetal bone growth.
Which of the following nutrients are required in high amounts during pregnancy due to their roles in the synthesis of red blood cells?Vitamin B12
Helps form red blood cells and maintains your nervous system. You can find this vitamin only in animal products. Good sources include liver, meat, fish, poultry, and milk. During pregnancy you need 2.6 micrograms daily.
Which of the following nutrients are required in higher amounts during pregnancy due to their roles in the synthesis?Protein. Among the macronutrients, protein requires more attention during pregnancy, when demand progressively increases to support protein synthesis, in order to maintain maternal tissues and fetal growth, especially during the third trimester.
Which of the following nutrients are required in higher amounts during pregnancy due to their roles in the synthesis of DNA and new cells?Folate, which is also known as folic acid, is crucial for the production of DNA and RNA and the synthesis of cells. A deficiency can cause megaloblastic anemia (the development of abnormal red blood cells) during pregnancy.
|