How to Find the Best Iron Supplement for Pregnant Women

How to Find the Best Iron Supplement for Pregnant Women

If you’re looking forward to welcoming your first child, you might be interested in finding out the best iron supplement for pregnant women. Fortunately, there are several options available. Keep reading to learn about heme iron, ferrous sulfate, including lean meat as a nutritional choice, and Thorne Basic Prenatal. Each of these alternatives provides many benefits and might meet your particular needs perfectly. Considering the critical role of iron in your baby’s growth, there are multiple approaches you can take to make sure you’re getting enough iron.

Heme Iron

There are many forms of iron supplements available. Heme iron, ferrous fumarate, and ferrous sulfate are the most popular. Your healthcare provider can tell you which iron supplement is right for your body. Make sure to check the label and avoid taking too much. Taking iron supplements should not replace your regular prenatal vitamin intake. Sometimes, you may need to increase the amount of your prenatal vitamin.

You may lose a substantial amount of blood if you have a C-section. This blood loss is about 500 cc, or about 11% of a woman’s blood volume. Lack of iron and hemoglobin can make a woman feel tired and weak, and iron deficiency can negatively impact her pregnancy. If your baby is not growing properly, your blood supply will suffer.

Ferrous Sulfate

Although it is safe for use as a pregnant iron supplement, it can cause some side effects in some women. This includes stomach pain and diarrhea. In some rare cases, it can lead to seizures and unconsciousness. For best results, take the supplement on an empty stomach two hours before or two hours after eating. You should drink plenty of water during this time, and be sure not to chew, suck, or swallow the tablet or liquid. If you have any concerns or are taking a higher dose of ferrous sulfate, contact your healthcare provider and discuss possible alternatives.

This study found that ferrous sulfate was the most common iron source used in clinical trials. However, this compound isn’t present in most iron-containing prenatal supplements. While there was no clear cut-off for ID/anemia during pregnancy, the range of iron content per serving was not large and the amount varied from product to product. The iron content in some products was in line with recent recommendations and older USP monographs.

Dietary Lean Meat

A healthy pregnancy diet includes a range of foods from the four food groups, including lean red meat. This rich source of iron is nature’s multi-supplement, with the typical daily requirement for pregnant women being around 27 milligrams. Pregnant women need more iron than usual, essential to forming red blood cells, reducing tiredness, and supporting average energy production.

While most women do not need to add additional iron to their diet during pregnancy, deficiency can have disastrous consequences. It may be necessary to check the iron level in a pregnant woman’s blood, as this will help determine whether she needs to supplement her diet with iron tablets. Some women may need extra iron in addition to their diet, including vegans, vegetarians, and those who suffer from morning sickness. However, dietary iron supplementation is not recommended for every pregnant woman, and a doctor’s advice should always be sought first.

Thorne Basic Prenatal

Thorne Basic Prenatal Iron Supplement is a nutritional multivitamin/mineral formula formulated especially for pregnant women. The product is free of high-potency vitamin and mineral supplements that are hard on the stomach. Instead, Thorne uses the most bioavailable forms of vitamins and minerals, such as calcium bis-glycinate. It also contains folic acid, a nutrient that promotes healthy fetal development.

Thorne Basic Prenatal Iron Supplement is an excellent source of iron for pregnant and lactating women.

This product is free of artificial colors, flavors, fillers, and additives. The product does not contain preservatives, additives, or other banned substances. Thorne Basic Prenatal contains vitamin B2, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. The manufacturer does not use GMO ingredients or any other fillers or binders.

Mary Ruth’s Liquid Iron

Iron for pregnant women is an essential mineral that is needed in more significant quantities during the growing period. This supplement comes in a delicious berry flavor, making it a delightful way to get your daily allowance of iron. Iron is necessary for the growing baby and placenta and the increased production of maternal red blood cells. It also promotes overall health for mom and baby and helps with cognitive development.

This product is marketed specifically for pregnant and breastfeeding women. It contains 100% of the recommended daily allowance of iron. Mary Ruth’s Liquid Iron ingredients are certified kosher, halal, and non-GMO. It contains Ferrochel ferrous bis-glycinate chelate, a highly absorbable form of iron. This form is less likely to cause gastrointestinal side effects than other forms of iron. Mary Ruth’s Liquid Iron is also sweetened with stevia.

Conclusion

Iron is an essential mineral for pregnant women, necessary for the growing baby and placenta, increased production of maternal red blood cells, and overall health for mom and baby. While most women do not need to add additional iron to their diet during pregnancy, some may need extra iron in addition to their diet. Thorne Basic Prenatal Iron Supplement is an excellent source of iron for pregnant and lactating women.

The product is free of high-potency vitamin and mineral supplements that are hard on the stomach and uses the most bioavailable forms of vitamins and minerals. The supplement also contains folic acid, a nutrient that promotes healthy fetal development.