Pregnancy is a time when women need to take special care of their health. There are various things that pregnant women need to consider to ensure both their health and their baby’s health. One of the critical aspects is nutrition.

Iron is one of the essential minerals for pregnant women. However, it is not uncommon for women to take iron supplements to avoid anemia and ensure proper fetal growth. That being said, too much iron can also have adverse effects on the pregnant body.

What Happens When Pregnant Women Take Too Much Iron?

A pregnant woman needs around 27 milligrams of iron every day. But, when she takes excess iron, it can lead to iron accumulation in the body. Female bodies have a mechanism to control iron absorption.

The hormone hepcidin controls the amount of iron absorbed from the food. But, during pregnancy, the body reduces hepcidin production to allow more iron absorption for fetal growth. It means that pregnant women absorb more iron than usual.

If a woman also takes an iron supplement, it can result in the accumulation of iron. For women who have normal iron levels, taking an iron supplement can lead to the development of excess iron in the body.

The excess iron accumulates in various body tissues and organs and leads to iron-overload. The build-up of iron can lead to a condition called haemochromatosis, where too much iron can cause organ damage and dysfunction.

What Are the Risks of Iron-Overload During Pregnancy?

Iron-overload during pregnancy can lead to various health risks not only for the woman but also for the developing fetus. Some of the risks are –.

1. Risk of Gestational Diabetes

Excess iron in the body can lead to oxidative stress, causing damage to the pancreatic cells. It can result in insulin resistance, leading to gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in both mothers and their children.

2. Preterm delivery

Iron-overload during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm delivery and low baby birth weight. Excess iron can cause inflammation, and inflammatory molecules can result in preterm labor.

3. Increased risk of infections

Iron-overload can make pregnant women more susceptible to infections like bacterial vaginosis, urinary tract infections, and other complications. Infections during pregnancy can even lead to preterm labor and premature delivery.

4. Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that affects both the mother and the developing fetus. It causes high blood pressure and damage to organs in severe cases. Iron-overload during pregnancy can increase the risk of developing preeclampsia.

5. Iron build-up in the developing fetus

High levels of iron can pass through the placenta and accumulate in the developing fetus’s system. If the child has congenital conditions such as thalassemia or sickle cell anemia, the excess iron can lead to organ damage.

How to Prevent Iron Overload in Pregnant Women?

Here are some ways to prevent iron overload in pregnant women –.

1. Regular blood testing

Regular blood testing can help doctors monitor pregnant women’s iron levels and determine the appropriate iron supplements needed. In case of high iron levels, doctors can recommend stopping supplements or reducing their intake.

2. Iron-rich diet

Pregnant women can consume iron-rich foods like leafy greens, meats, beans, and fortified cereals.

Combining iron-rich foods with vitamin C rich food can help with easy iron absorption, while combining iron-rich foods with calcium-rich foods can lower iron absorption.

3. Taking iron supplements after doctor’s recommendation

Never start taking iron supplements without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take iron supplements when there is an iron deficiency, or your doctor discovers low iron levels in blood tests.

Key Takeaways

Iron is an essential mineral for pregnant women; however, taking too much iron can harm them and their developing baby. It can lead to various complications like gestational diabetes, preterm labor, preeclampsia, and infections.

Pregnant women must only take iron supplements after the recommendation of their doctor. Regular blood tests, iron-rich diet, and safe iron absorption techniques are some ways to prevent iron overload in pregnant women.