Iron Deficiency in Pregnancy

Iron deficiency is common in pregnancy. It is encountered in over 40% of pregnancies worldwide.

Plasma volume increases throughout pregnancy peaking in the third trimester, between 30 and 24 weeks.  Red blood cells also increase, but to a lesser extent, resulting in physiological anaemia.  Iron deficiency remains the most common cause of non-physiological anaemia in pregnancy because of the increased demand for iron.  It’s also hard to get enough iron from the food you eat.

You are more likely to develop iron-deficiency anaemia in pregnancy if you:

• Are vegetarian or vegan.
• Have had anaemia before.
• Are carrying more than one baby.
• Were younger than 20 when you got pregnant.
• Have had 3 or more babies.
• You are pregnant again after having a baby within the last year.

Most people with anaemia in pregnancy go on to have a healthy pregnancy and baby.  However, anaemia has been linked to pregnancy complications before and after birth if it is not treated.  These can include:

• Low birthweight.
• Premature labour and birth.
• Stillbirth
• Higher risk of needing a blood transfusion in labour.
• Reduced breastmilk.
• Iron deficiency in the first 3 months of a baby’s life.
• Fatigue (extreme tiredness) in the few months after birth.
• Postnatal depression.

Click here for more information on “Understanding Anaemia” and “Iron Deficiency”.