Pregnancy is the time when you must take care of the level of vitamins and minerals in the body. It gives you strength and sufficient elements for the growth of the baby’s body. However, neither do you want your child to be born with some deficiency, nor do you want the child to be low on nutrition. Therefore, consuming iron is essential both during and after pregnancy.
Iron Consumption during pregnancy
During pregnancy, you need about 27 milligrams of iron per day. If you consume iron, it saves you from getting anaemic during pregnancy. Some of the rich sources of iron that you can include in your diet are:
- poultry,
- fish,
- red meat,
- dried beans,
- peas,
- green leafy vegetables
- fortified cereals.
When pregnant, the correct time to begin consuming iron is 12 weeks because that is when your iron requirement increases. An extra dose of iron is vital in the second and third trimesters. It is crucial for the development of the baby as well as that of the placenta.
Iron consumption after pregnancy
Consuming iron after pregnancy is also crucial. The deficiency during postpartum may have long-term health effects on the mother and new born. Females must take iron after delivery for about 6-12 weeks to avert the risk of anaemia.
When to take iron?
Iron supplements are best to take on an empty stomach but know that in some females, iron is said to upset the stomach. Apart from these, the dietary iron components can be taken in your meals. Make sure you do not overconsume, so the best is to consult a doctor about the consumption of iron.
Note that, at times, iron consumption can give you nausea, cramps, or diarrhoea.
You should try and eat different types of iron-rich food to cater to the nutrient’s requirement of the body. If you are unaware and don’t know what to do, consult Dr Smiti. She is an experienced gynaecologist who has treated females during and after pregnancy. Dr Smiti strongly believes that diet is essential for every pregnant female because that impacts the baby’s growth and the mother’s recovery.
For more details, contact https://drsmitiwomensclinic.in/
