Types of iron supplements
True iron deficiency resulting in significant anaemia during pregnancy is not common for women in developed countries and there has been much controversy over the years about whether pregnant women, who are only mildly anaemic, should take iron supplements. Taking iron supplements has been shown to increase the haemoglobin level in pregnant women, but whether this is of any benefit (or is capable of causing harm) is a topic of ongoing debate.
At present there are 2 schools of thought:
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| 1. |
The first is that increasing a pregnant woman's haemoglobin level to one that is regarded as 'normal' for non-pregnant women must be 'good' for the mother and baby, providing more oxygen to both and protecting against blood loss for the woman at the birth of her baby. |
| 2. |
The second is that the natural dilution of the red blood cells during pregnancy happens for a reason (although this is not entirely understood), and should not be interfered with. One proposed health concern is that increasing red blood cells with iron supplements may actually 'thicken' the woman's blood and affect blood flow to her baby and the placenta. Another is that when a woman loses blood at the birth, the loss of more red blood cells (rather than 'diluted blood') may make it more difficult for the woman to physically adjust to the loss. |
However, despite these arguments, research to date has failed to support (or reject) the routine use of iron supplements for mildly anaemic pregnant women, and the issue remains controversial. However, it is still recommended that the few women who do develop significant anaemia may benefit from having iron supplements (if their anaemia is due to a true iron deficiency).
Care must be taken not to take an excess amount of iron supplements (especially when accompanied with vitamin C).