How to Correct Iron Deficiency When Pregnant
Dr. Leia’s answer: Anemia or a low red blood cell count during pregnancy is common and can be caused by several factors. Vegetarians and dieters are especially at risk. Lack of iron, folic acid, and Vitamin B12 in the diet can cause anemia. Your doctor should monitor you for iron stores in the body by way of a ferritin blood test, serum iron level, and hemoglobin and hematocrit blood tests, and also check your folic acid levels and vitamin B12 levels. It is not wise to stop eating meat when you have a low iron count. Meat actually contains more iron than grains, although grain contains iron also. Meat is also needed by the body to produce vitamin B12, which can also be monitored by a blood test and can cause a form of anemia. Vegetarians do not produce vitamin B12 and should always supplement with B12 in order to prevent this deficiency. Pregnancy is not a time to diet or to limit the intake of food because the need for iron and other nutrients is increased at this time. Sometimes stom...