Iron Deficiency in Pregnancy
Iron deficiency is common during pregnancy – it’s because of the sudden increase in blood volume needed to support your baby’s growth. Although many women are able to navigate iron deficiency just fine with supplements or diet, you might need more direct care, especially if you’ve had difficulties in past pregnancies or you have naturally low iron and want to get pregnant. Iron deficiency is associated with a lower birth weight and prematurity, and the risk only goes up with more severe anemia. It’s also been linked to a higher risk of postpartum depression. At Materna, we can offer proactive, preventive guidance and compassionate, one-on-one care to help you maintain healthy iron levels for you and your baby.
What Is Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pregnancy?
Iron deficiency anemia occurs when your body does not have enough iron to make healthy red blood cells. Pregnancy raises your blood volume substantially, so iron needs climb sharply from the first trimester onward. When intake cannot keep up, less oxygen is carried to you and to your baby, which is why fatigue, breathlessness, and dizziness are often the earliest signs.
For many women iron deficiency is manageable with diet and oral supplements. It becomes harder to correct when nausea and vomiting make supplements difficult to keep down, or when levels were already low before pregnancy. If you are concerned about your iron, we can test and treat quickly.
It includes:
- Fatigue that does not improve with rest
- Feeling colder than usual, especially in the hands and feet
- Mild shortness of breath on stairs or inclines
- Paler skin, gums, or inner eyelids
At this stage iron levels are often still correctable with diet and oral supplements. We test ferritin and hemoglobin so we can see the trend early, before symptoms worsen.
It includes:
- Shortness of breath with everyday activity
- Lightheadedness or dizziness, especially when standing
- Rapid heartbeat or heart palpitations
- Headaches and difficulty concentrating
This is the point where we recommend being evaluated. If oral iron is not tolerated, or if nausea and vomiting make supplements difficult to keep down, IV iron infusions restore levels considerably faster.
It includes:
- Breathlessness at rest
- Chest pain or a racing heart
- Fainting or near-fainting
- Extreme fatigue that interferes with daily function
- Cravings for ice, clay, or starch, known as pica
Severe anemia in pregnancy raises the risk of low birth weight and preterm birth. We can test, treat, and infuse the same day rather than sending you to an emergency room.
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Iron deficiency anemia occurs when the body doesn’t have enough iron to support the production of healthy red blood cells. This, in turn, causes difficulties carrying oxygen to your baby. Having enough iron is important in early pregnancy, but it can become especially important in the second trimester, meaning preparation is key to setting your baby up for a healthy and successful pregnancy.
Iron deficiency anemia can be caused by a simple increase in blood volume, but it can have other causes, as well:
- Naturally low iron levels
- Multiple pregnancies spaced closely together
- Morning sickness or severe morning sickness such as hyperemesis gravidarum (HG)
- Low iron intake from diet
We recommend IV iron infusions for anemia during early pregnancy, especially at a time when it can be difficult to eat foods and take supplements due to nausea. We test iron levels early and often to monitor your progress and develop a personalized care plan based on your needs and symptoms. This typically includes ways you can optimize your diet, especially if you’re having trouble eating.
Your infusions take place in our calm, caring, and professional outpatient setting with the oversight of our knowledgeable OB/GYN providers. We can support you throughout your pregnancy, whether it's your first or your fourth, helping you achieve the best chances of success.
Early Signs of Anemia
It can be difficult to distinguish what's a sign of anemia and what's an early pregnancy symptom. It's always better to play it safe and meet with our OB/GYN providers to monitor and address as needed. If there's no issue, we can work with you to find other possible causes for your symptoms and offer reassurance through an extremely important and emotionally demanding time.
Early signs of anemia to watch for include:
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath (even with mild activity)
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Paleness
- Cold feet and hands
- Rapid heartbeat or heart palpitations
- Headcaches
Get Early Pregnancy Support with Materna
Call or text to book a free, 15-minute consultation with our team. At Materna, we specialize in supporting women through the earliest and most important weeks of pregnancy.
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We provide a comprehensive range of OB/GYN services, including routine prenatal and gynecologic care, GYN and OB ultrasounds, annual wellness exams, Hyperemesis Gravidarum Treatments, IV Migraine Treatments and IV therapy for several conditions. We also offer comprehensive fertility support, cycle monitoring, and follicular management.
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Please bring your insurance card, a valid ID, any medical records related to your health history, and a list of medications you’re currently taking. If this is a prenatal visit, it is also helpful to bring any relevant information about your pregnancy and any questions you may have.
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We provide fertility care, preconception care, prenatal care and postpartum care through the first year after birth. If you're in the early stages of pregnancy or planning to conceive, we encourage you to book a consultation with us to discuss your options and receive early prenatal care, ultrasounds and screenings.
For your annual wellness exam, it’s helpful to arrive with any questions or concerns you might have about your health, along with a list of any medications you’re taking. If you’re due for a Pap smear or other screenings, we’ll handle those during your appointment. Avoid douching or using vaginal products 24 hours before your exam to ensure the most accurate results.
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