6 Best Iron Supplements for Pregnancy – 2024 Reviews
Are you currently expecting and showing signs of anemia? Or maybe you just got the news that your iron levels are low and you’re worried about risking out of a home birth.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding raise demands for iron, and you must do what’s best for your baby and your body. Every mama deserves to have a chance at an empowering birth. So take a couple of deep breaths, loosen your shoulders, and unclench your jaw.
This post will provide you with information regarding low iron levels during pregnancy and also point you in the direction of six great iron supplements to ask your healthcare provider about.
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What Causes Low Iron During Pregnancy?
If you have low iron during pregnancy or are even anemic, your body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry the proper amount of oxygen to all your tissues.
So what exactly does red blood cells have to do with iron? Your body takes iron and uses it to produce hemoglobin. Once hemoglobin is made, it is the protein in the red blood cell whose job it is to carry oxygen to your tissues.
When pregnant, your body is providing oxygen not only for you but also for your little one. Because of this, your blood volume rises by 50% during pregnancy, and thus your need for iron also increases. If your body is having a difficult time producing iron, or even simply using the iron stored in your tissues, then you can become anemic. It is likely that if you go to the dr. during pregnancy and your bloodwork shows low iron levels, they will recommend you start taking an iron supplement.
Signs of Low Iron During Pregnancy
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed below, you could be dealing with low iron levels. It is best to consult your healthcare provider so they can assess the situation and help you decide if an iron supplement is best for you. No need to worry; they will probably do a hemoglobin test and go from there (source).
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Headache
- Pale or yellowish skin
- Shortness of breath
- Craving or chewing ice (pica)
- A rapid heartbeat
- Low blood pressure
- Difficulty concentrating
How Much Iron Do You Need During Pregnancy?
When pregnant, your body will need twice the amount of iron to provide for both you and your baby. Current research suggests that pregnant women need at least 27 milligrams of iron per day. However, it’s often best not to go over more than 45 milligrams per day otherwise it could potentially cause other problems for you and your baby (source).
Top 6 Pregnancy Iron Supplements
If you’re currently expecting and showing signs of low iron or your recent lab work has come back and shown low hemoglobin levels, then you’re most likely going to want to start on an iron supplement as soon as possible. You may also just need an iron supplement if your prenatal vitamin is lacking in that department.
Of course, it’s always best to consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplements while pregnant or nursing.
Listed below are 6 of the best iron supplements for pregnant and postpartum mamas:
Floradix Iron + Herbs Liquid Herbal Supplement is rich in iron and vitamin B vitamins. The plant-based formula means it is easy to digest, and it even has vitamin C in the form of rose hip extract to aid in iron absorption. It has no artificial additives or preservatives and is lactose-free, alcohol-free, kosher, non-GMO, vegetarian, and purity tested.
The recommended dose is 10 ml twice daily, which would give you 20 mg of extra iron in your diet. Something to note is that this supplement needs to be refrigerated once opened and must be used within four weeks of opening.
Pros:
- Vegetarian
- Easy to digest
- Vitamin C for absorption enhancement
Cons:
- Expensive
- Requires refrigeration
- Short shelf life
Nature’s Plus Hema-Plex Iron are slow-release tablets proven to boost your iron levels. They are gentle on the digestive system and have vitamin C and copper to aid in iron absorption. This option is non-GMO, gluten-free, and allergen-free, which is a big plus.
With one tablet a day, you will get 85 mg of extra iron in your diet, which is more than the 27 mg suggested for a pregnant woman. Be sure to ask your doctor how much iron you need because too much can affect you and your baby negatively.
Pros:
- Allergen-free
- Vitamin C for absorption
Cons:
- More than the recommended amount of iron (could be a pro depending upon how low your iron is)
World Organic Chlorophyll Liquid is the most affordable option, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t effective.
Liquid chlorophyll looks like hemoglobin in the blood, which can boost your iron levels. Often known as nature’s supplement, this liquid chlorophyll is made from organically grown alfalfa leaves and is high in vitamins A, C, K, E, as well as magnesium, potassium, calcium, and iron.
The recommended dose is one tablespoon per day. It tastes quite earthy, but if you don’t like the taste, you can always add it to your beverage of choice. Something to note is that you will want to be careful not to spill because the green pigment is prone to staining. It also needs to be refrigerated after opening.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Many like the earthy taste
- Made from organically grown alfalfa
Cons:
- Unsure how much iron you’re getting per dose
- Potential to stain
- Not travel-friendly (refrigerate after opening)
Megafood Blood Builder is great because not only is it an iron supplement, but it also boosts energy levels. It uses beets, oranges, and broccoli, so you know you’re getting your nutrients from real food. Allergy-friendly is another plus because it is free of gluten, dairy, eggs, tree nuts & peanuts, fish, soy, shellfish, and sesame. It does contain brown rice, so if you can’t have that, then this isn’t an option for you.
All you need is one tablet a day for a boost of 26 mg of iron as well as some vitamin C to help with absorption. Not only that, but it also contains folate and vitamin B12 which aid in red blood cell production. There is also a liquid option and a mini option if you are interested in either of those.
Pros:
- Food-based
- Allergy-friendly
- Folate and vitamin B12
Cons:
- Contains brown rice
Mary Ruth’s Vegan Iron Prenatal+Postnatal Liquid Iron Supplement comes in a juicy berry flavor, a nice change from an unflavored regular capsule. It’s non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, vegan, and specifically formulated for those who are pregnant or nursing.
Their liquid iron is sourced from bioavailable Ferrochel for higher absorption.
Shake well and take one tablespoon daily by itself to get an extra 27 mg of iron. Please note that the dosing changes while breastfeeding.
Pros:
- Liquid
- Formulated for pregnant and nursing women
- Specially sourced for higher absorption
Cons:
- No vitamin C for better absorption
- Some might not prefer the taste
- Large bottle not convenient for travel
Perfect Supplements has a great line of well-made products, and their Desiccated Liver Capsules are no exception. Made from free-range grass-fed pasture cattle and hormone-free, so you know you’re getting good quality.
Liver is a good source of protein, amino acids, B vitamins, vitamin A, and iron, and desiccated liver capsules will give you the benefits of good liver without the odd taste.
Four capsules a day will give you an extra 2.81 mg of iron. This may not seem like much, but many report this natural supplement being effective in boosting their iron without the common side effects of conventional iron supplements on the market.
One downside of this choice is that it’s not exactly allergy-friendly, because even though it’s dairy-free, it is produced in a factory that also processes milk, dairy, egg, soy, shellfish, and fish. Thankfully it is gluten-free, non-GMO, paleo-friendly, and has no glyphosate.
Pros:
- Made from good quality beef
- Non-GMO
- Gluten-free
Cons:
- Not exactly allergy-friendly
- Not an option for vegans
- Lower amount of iron
Other Ways to Increase Iron Levels During Pregnancy
Along with taking an iron supplement, there are other simple measures you can take to help boost your iron levels even more:
- Consume copper-rich foods: If you have low iron during pregnancy sometimes it can be because your body doesn’t have enough copper and vitamin A to balance the iron in your tissues. Eating foods rich in copper could help your body regulate the iron better and potentially fix your iron levels. (oysters, crabs, mussels, salmon, lobster, dark chocolate, potato skins, mushrooms, bee pollen, and citrus fruits are a few examples).
- Introduce more iron into your diet: Another common way to increase iron levels is to simply eat more iron-rich foods, such as tofu, broccoli, cooked beans, brown rice, spinach, tuna, sardines, liver and other organ meat, and some iron fortified cereals.
- Consume iron in small doses: You might find that your body absorbs iron better if you have it in smaller doses spread out throughout the day.
- Pair iron with vitamin C: Taking your iron with vitamin C will maximize absorption and boost your iron levels quicker.
- Avoid eating dairy with your iron: Avoid having dairy one hour before or up to two hours after taking your iron supplement and when eating iron-rich foods, as dairy is known to inhibit iron absorption.
- Cook in a cast-iron skillet: It might be hard to believe that the pan you choose to cook with could affect your iron levels, but it might! According to eatingwell.com cooking in a cast-iron skillet could boost the iron in your foods by 16% (source).
- Separate your coffee and teas from your iron supplement and iron-rich foods: As with dairy, coffee and teas (except herbal) can inhibit iron absorption, because they contain interfering compounds called tannins (source).
Why Iron Is So Important During Pregnancy and Postpartum
Low iron in pregnancy introduces risks for you and your baby. If your iron becomes low during pregnancy, it is possible that you can become anemic. Anemia in pregnancy is linked, in some cases, to premature birth, low birth weight, and also postpartum depression. The body will also have a difficult time coping with blood loss postpartum, extending recovery times. It is also going to affect energy levels and even immune strength. Iron even plays a large part in your baby’s brain development (source).
Reading those risks can be overwhelming, especially after you’ve been told you have low iron levels. Remember to do what you need to do in order to remain calm and care for yourself and your little one. Have a healthcare provider you trust, get enough rest, nourish your body with good foods, and, when necessary, take an iron supplement.
What if I Can’t Get My Iron Levels Up?
If you’ve done all you can to get more iron and it doesn’t seem to be helping, don’t panic. Your healthcare provider will likely do a few different things.
They will probably order more tests to try to determine the cause of your low levels. They might also refer you to a hematologist, a doctor who specializes in treating blood disorders. Another option to be mentally prepared for is the possibility of intravenous administration of iron through a needle in one of your veins (source).
Boost Those Iron Levels
It can be discouraging if you have low iron levels when pregnant. Trust me; I’ve been there! Hopefully this post took some of the confusion away when it comes to iron supplements, so you can pick one and get back to enjoying your pregnancy. No matter which one you choose, don’t forget that you are a good mom doing your best for you and your little one.
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Very helpful thank you.