Taking iron supplements during pregnancy could lead to high blood pressure and small babies, unless the mother is anaemic, say doctors. The Food Standards Agency now advises getting iron from a balanced diet instead of tablets.
A study conducted by researchers at Tarbiat Modares University in Tehran, published in the BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, examined 727 women with normal iron levels. It found that women who took iron supplements were more likely to develop high blood pressure and have smaller babies.
According to Professor Philip Steer, the editor-in-chief of the journal, women should not indiscriminately take iron or vitamin pills to prevent poor pregnancy outcomes. Proper advice on diet and nutrition from doctors is essential.
Robert Fraser, a nutrition specialist at Sheffield University, explains that routine iron supplementation was recommended 25 years ago, but nowadays most pregnant women in countries like Britain are not anaemic and do not need to take iron tablets unless specifically advised.
In addition, new research suggests that pregnant women who experience stress transmit its effects to their unborn child as early as 17 weeks. Scientists have found a link between stress hormones in the mother’s blood and those in the amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus. This connection has been associated with foetal brain development and future behavior.
A study led by Professor Vivette Glover at Imperial College London and Dr Pampa Sarkar at Wexham Park Hospital in Berkshire took samples from 267 pregnant women and found levels of the stress hormone cortisol in both blood and amniotic fluid. Previous research has indicated that high levels of cortisol exposure in the womb can lead to lower IQs, hyperactivity, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children.
It is important to consult with your doctor before taking any substances during pregnancy to ensure the safety of your baby. If iron supplementation is necessary, consider liquid iron, which can be mixed into smoothies or juice, as recommended by some doctors.
