Hello All,

I am new to this website and have joined it today. I live in the US and I am 25 years old. I am 19 weeks pregnant and this is my first pregnancy. I have some concerns about Iron deficiency during pregnancy. I am seeking some advice on this issue:

I had a prenatal test during the first trimester and my reports came out well. I was not anemic and so far everything is normal in my pregnancy. But I have a friend who is due in August and she was also not anemic during her early pregnancy but later around 26 weeks, her doctor told her that she has become anemic. So far I know her, she eats really healthy diet better than me. But looking at her case, I am kinda getting worried about myself. I loved meat products but after I got pregnant, i just stopped eating non-veg. I do eat spinach and broccoli but not that often.

I am concerned that do you think I need to make some changes in my food habits so that I don' t end up facing the same problem as my friend. I am working full time and thats why I am also lazy at cooking hard core meals like saag which is usually rich in iron. I am also planning to talk to my doctor in my next visit which in the last week of June. ann replied. Hi

Why did u stop eating non-veg?I did too when i got pregnant for religious reason and then I soon gave up when i realized that my body is so used to take iron easily in non veg.But don' t worry too much.Your doc will give you iron supplement tablets if it gets low.If it doesn' t help syrup and if that doesn' t work injections.But iron injections are hell...So try for more iron in your diet. Lakshmi replied. Hi Mahek,

Please do not stop taking your prenatal vitamins..That has got a plenty of iron content in it. I delvered a baby just 3 months back. I had 9.7 Hb during my 26 weeks test. I was forced to take lot of Ferrous sulphates tablets(you get it in US over the counter any shop) 3 times a day which had a huge iron content.As of now take just the prenatals and also try to eat spinach daily. At 26 weeks when ur iron content drops, then consider taking ferrous sulphate tablets. I had a healthy baby inspite of my iron deficiency. shelly replied. Hi
Congrats. Since u r in the US Your doctor should have given you Pre-natal along with Feosol iron tabs. I had a baby girl six months ago normal deleivery and baby is healthy and doing great. during pregnancy I was travelling a lot so I was not able to follow any strict diet regimen but simple home made vegetarian food along with milk twice a day for the extra calcium u need and walking as possible. I guess since you Hb is normal you are good and just these supplements should help you . I am breast feeding and still taking the prenatal and iron and also started taking extra calcium now . It helps with the post partum hair loss etc.Good Luck. gayathri replied. hi mahek,
ure diet seems ok try and have dates (dates have iron)and dry fruits i had dates when i was carrying my baby,even i had iron defeciency but once i
started to eat dry fruits it was fine ,drink fresh tomato juice and eat water melon these r also rich in iron .