Preventing and treating pregnancy anemia

Date: 2011.03.05 | Category: Pregnancy | Tags:

Iron-deficiency anemia is pretty common in pregnancy, especially among vegetarians. There are many reasons to avoid it if possible, and treat it as soon as possible if you find out you have it. What are some of the best ways to treat and prevent pregnancy anemia? Food sources of iron include nettles (drink nettle leaf tea, for instance), apricots, prunes, raisins, beans and lentils, broccoli, beets, and alfafa. Those who eat meat can take liver, heart or tongue to boost their iron levels. Heat and tongue? As a vegetarian, I have no idea whether you’d actually want to eat those even as a carnivore. Certainly does not sound appealing, but apparently does do a lot of good for your iron levels.  Herbs rich in iron are parsley, yellow dock root, dandelion root, and kelp.

To make it easier for your body to absorb iron, drink orange juice, eat strawberries, or consume other fruits and vegetables that contain high doses of Vitamin C. Taking calcium at the same time as iron, especially in the form of supplements, can prevent the proper absorption of iron. Taking them at different times is advised, if you really have to take supplements. Drinking coffee and tea while you’re eating a meal also makes it harder for iron to be absorbed, so try drinking fresh orange juice with your meals instead for maximum iron absorption.

The herbalist Susun Weed made some interesting observations about the treatment of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy. She says that there are plenty of reasons to avoid ferrous sulphate, which is commonly prescribed by doctors to treat and prevent anemia. According to Weed, this supplement stresses the kidneys and is poorly absorbed by the body. It can also cause constipation and other side effects.