What is a common side effect of iron supplements taken during pregnancy?

What is a common side effect of iron supplements taken during pregnancy?

Iron supplements may cause nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea. Sometimes your body adjusts to the extra iron on its own in a few days. Drinking plenty of water and eating foods high in fiber may also help with constipation.

Is it safe to take iron supplements while pregnant?

The bottom line: For most women, iron supplementation is safe during pregnancy. However, not every mom-to-be needs extra iron, especially since the mineral is already in most prenatal vitamins and can be found in certain foods. As always, talk to your practitioner before adding any new supplements to your diet.

Can iron supplements hurt my baby?

Aim to get no more than 45 milligrams of iron a day. If you take more than that (either from an extra iron supplement or from your prenatal vitamin), it can cause your blood levels of iron to rise too high, possibly causing problems for you and your baby.

Can too much iron hurt a fetus?

Iron overload during pregnancy may be linked to higher risk of developing diabetes. Iron is a core component of most prenatal vitamins, yet recent research indicates that high levels of iron may be associated with risks for developing gestational diabetes.

When is the best time to take iron tablets during pregnancy?

Try to take the pills on an empty stomach about 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. But you may need to take iron with food to avoid an upset stomach. Do not take antacids or drink milk or caffeine drinks (such as coffee, tea, or cola) at the same time or within 2 hours of the time that you take your iron.

What fruits are rich in iron for pregnancy?

Iron-Rich Foods

• Dark, leafy greens, such as spinach, collard greens, and kale: 3 mg per 1/2 cup cooked greens.
• Dried fruit, including apricots, prunes, raisins, and figs: 1 mg per 1/4 cup.
• Raspberries: 0.8 mg per cup.
• Sauerkraut: 2 mg per cup.
• Beets: 1 mg per cup.
• Brussels sprouts: 1 mg per cup.

Does oral iron supplementation during pregnancy affect pregnancy?

No.: CD004736. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004736.pub5. Oral iron supplementation during pregnancy resulted in an increased birth weight and a decreased risk of preterm birth, low birth weight <2500 g, neonatal death, and congenital anomalies, although none of these findings reached statistical significance

What are the side effects of taking too much iron?

Although our bodies can store a certain amount of extra iron, higher-dose iron supplements may cause side effects. These include, in particular, gastrointestinal (stomach and bowel) problems like constipation, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

What happens if you have iron deficiency anemia while pregnant?

Iron deficiency anemia can make you feel tired and exhausted. Severe anemia can also lead to complications in pregnancy. For instance, it can weaken the mother’s immune system and make infections more likely. It also increases the risk of the baby weighing too little at birth (low birth weight).

Do iron tablets during pregnancy make the baby darker?

There is a serious misconception that states that iron tablets during pregnancy make the baby dark. This is only an old wives’ tale, as the only thing that can impact your baby’s complexion is genetics.