The Importance of Iron in Pregnancy

During pregnancy, the baby develops, but the woman also changes. Essential nutrients such as iron take centre stage. Adequate intake and correct levels influence the mother’s healthy changes and the baby’s proper development. That is why we explain why iron in pregnancy is so crucial.

Iron in pregnancy, why is it so important?

Iron is an essential mineral during pregnancy. It plays a crucial role in the formation of haemoglobin, which is the protein responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood.

Some sources of iron in our diet:

• Red meat.
• Poultry and fish.
• Pulses and vegetables.
• Nuts.

Benefits of iron for the mother

• Helps prevent fatigue, tiredness and weakness.
• Improves oxygen supply to organs and tissues.
• Helps prevent iron-deficiency anaemia.
• Postpartum recovery is faster.

Benefits of iron for the baby

• Supports fetal development and growth.
• Contributes to brain and neurological development.
• Reduces the risk of premature birth and low birth weight.
• Ensures iron stores during the first months of life.

Is iron supplementation necessary during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, the woman’s blood volumeincreases by 50%, which raises iron requirements at this stage.

When should iron be taken during pregnancy?

A daily intake of 27 mg of ironin the first trimester is recommended for pregnant women, increasing in the following trimesters depending on individual needs and the type of pregnancy.

To make sure the body absorbs iron properly, you should:

• Take it on an empty stomach or between meals, always with an empty stomach to avoid digestive discomfort or nausea; however, if it causes stomach upset, it can be taken with a little food.
• Do not take it with dairy products, coffee or tea, as this makes absorption more difficult.

Nutrients that help with iron absorption and use

• Vitamin C: you can take iron with it in the form of orange juice, for example.
• Folic acid: helps prevent neural tube defects and supports the formation of red blood cells.
• Vitamin B12: essential for DNA synthesis and red blood cell maturation.
• Iodine and DHA: essential for the baby’s cognitive and neurological development.

As diet alone does not manage to meet the increased iron needs during pregnancy, we recommend complementing the pregnant woman’s diet with a food supplement that not only meets iron requirements, but also provides other essential active ingredients for both mother and baby, supporting healthy pregnancy development.

What is the best iron supplement for pregnant women?

We recommend Femibion, because its formula includes the perfect combination of essential active ingredients in highly available forms, improving absorption and use during pregnancy. In addition, its formula is tailored to the different stages of pregnancy:

• Femibion 1: meets dietary needs from pregnancy planning until the end of the first trimester.
• Femibion 2: meets the increased dietary demands of pregnancy from the second trimester onwards.

There is evenFemibion 3, which meets the mother’s dietary needs during the breastfeeding period, as these change again and nutrient demand increases.

Femibion stands out for the Metafolin in its formula, which is an active form of folate that the body can use directly. It also contains high-strength DHA, which is essential for the baby’s brain and visual development.