Iron supplements

[monal]

Hi,

I'm taking a pregnancy vitamin which has iron in it. I'm not anaemic at all as far as I know.

I've just had a long and detailed email from my sister-in-law where she mentions that iron supplements "can be bad for the foetus" and suggesting homeopathic rose-based alternatives. Personally I don't believe in homeopathy at all so I'm prepared to just take her email with a pinch of salt, but are there studies that show iron supplements can be bad for the baby? What are the supposed risks? When I googled it, the first result was a Daily Mail article but I would rather have something solid to read. I'm not worrying about it unduly, I promise, I just want to know what she's referring to.

And so it begins! I only told them I was pregnant last Saturday, it hasn't even been a week

[looloo13]

if its a pregnancy vitamin they have exactly the right safe amount needed x

[Tattoopixie]

I would definitely go straight to your doctor or midwife to discuss the use of iron supplements as information on the internet isn't always accurate and just scaremongers unnecessarily. Your doctor/midwife will be able to tell you if they think you need more iron, if you don't then the iron in the pregnancy vitamin will be just fine. I have gone most of my pregnancy without needing any extra supplements and it's only now at 33 weeks that I actually need to take extra iron due to low hb. Good luck

[LimeLeafLizard]

It is also worth being aware that there are different types of iron supplement, and different measures of iron deficiency.

I take ferrous sulphate as prescribed for me in pregnancy. I also take a general pregnancy vitamin.

[CatchingMockingbirds]

I've been prescribed iron by both the GP and the consultant at the hospital since I was 13 weeks pregnant. None of the professionals have mentioned it being bad for the baby.

[spotsdots]

I take iron due to chronic anaemia. When I informed my GP about my pregnancy, the dosage was increased 6 times higher. I was told during pregnancy you need more iron.

But saying that, I suggest you speak to your GP to find the correct dosage.

[LeBFG]

In my general pregnancy vitamin pill (Seven Seas) there is iron (121% RDA). I guess if I had anemia they would also want to supplement with extra iron. As the pill I take is by a good brand and for the whole pregnancy I trust that the doses are completely safe. I'm reassured that there is some iron in it tbh - I'm generally a bit low on iron and pg women in general get low in iron as their pregnancies progress. Bin the homeopathy advice though .