Women whose iron stores are exhausted before pregnancy can reduce their baby's risk of anemia by taking iron supplements during 20-24 weeks gestation. If not, it can take up to two years after pregnancy to return to your pre-pregnancy levels. Iron deficiency may cause spontaneous abortion, premature delivery, low birth weight, still birth, and perinatal death due to the lack of oxygen in the mother's cells. The Journal of the American Medical Association's March 1997 issue reported that 7.8 million women in the U.S. are iron deficient and 3.3 million women have iron deficiency anemia. Minorities, women with low incomes, and women with multiple births are more likely to be iron deficient.
Good sources are meats, egg yolk, whole wheat, seafood, green leafy vegetables, nuts and legumes.
All Rights Reserved. Please read the important disclaimer regarding material presented on this site and our Privacy Policy Statement . We'd love to hear from you .