The importance of iron in pregnancy
Throughout pregnancy, it is extremely important to control our diet to make sure we are receiving all the necessary nutrients for our body and for our future baby. During a pregnancy, it is essential to follow a balanced diet without lacking in any nutrients so our baby can grow as healthy as possible.
There are certain foods that are extremely important during gestation that not only help us feel better but also help the baby develop and grow correctly. That is why calcium, vitamins and iron must be represented in our diet.
The importance of iron in pregnancy
The first thing we need to do is to check our iron levels and make sure they meet the necessary requirements for a pregnancy.
You should know that an increased amount of iron needs to be taken during pregnancy. This is for various reasons: a pregnant woman will produce more blood so more iron is needed to generate more haemoglobin (the protein that helps our blood circulate around our body properly).
Iron will also help the baby’s growth and the placenta, in particular in the second and third trimester of pregnancy which is when growth rate increases in the foetus.
Furthermore, women that had iron deficiency before becoming pregnant should include iron rich foods in their diet. For example red meat has a high level of iron yet it is not the best choice if we want to reduce our intake of fats. There are non-meat foods such as legumes, plums, liver, potatoes, dried fruits, broccoli, beetroot, spinach, lamb or rocket lettuce among others that will help women achieve enough iron levels to prepare them for this stage of their life.
If the iron deficiency continues, supplements such as PrenAvant Pregnancy can be taken to deal with this lack of iron.
