Why Pregnant women shouldn't be Iron-Defficient

I hear cases like, Mother and child dies together, A woman is 18 months pregnant. Although, attimes spiritual cases shouldnt be ignored but our food intake can also be the causes of these mysterious news's.
Now, Why do I need extra iron?
Iron makes up a major part of hemoglobin.
Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying pigment and main protein in the red blood cells; it carries oxygen throughout the body. Iron also delivers oxygen to the muscles, so that they can function properly. Also, iron increases our resistance to stress and disease.
A woman's body absorbs iron more efficiently when she is pregnant, so she has to consume more of it to make sure that both she and her baby have an adequate oxygen supply. During pregnancy, the amount of blood in the mother's body increases by almost 50% - she needs more iron to make more hemoglobin for all that extra blood, as well as for the growing placenta and the developing baby. Healthy levels of iron will also help prevent depression, weakness, tiredness , and irritability during pregnancy.
Most women start their pregnancy without adequate stores of iron to meet the increasing demands of their bodies, particularly after the third or fourth month. If iron stores are inadequate, the mother may become anemic.
According to the United Nations, approximately 47% of non-pregnant females and 60% of pregnant females have anemia globally. If iron deficient women without anemia are included, the figure is 60% of non- pregnant and 90% for pregnant women. In rich
nations, approximately 18% of non-pregnant and 30% of pregnant women are iron-deficient. In industrial nations, figures are higher among those with lower incomes.
If the pregnant mother is iron deficient, there is a higher risk of:
* Preterm delivery - the baby is born early, a premature baby. Delivering a low-weight baby.
* Stillbirth - the baby dies before it is
delivered
* Newborn death - the baby dies soon after it is born.
* Tiredness, irritability, depression (in the mother) during the pregnancy
If the mother is anemic later in the
pregnancy, there is a higher risk of losing a lot of blood when she gives birth
Some experts say there is a higher risk of post-natal depression(postpartum depression ). This has to be scientifically proven with further studies.
The brain of the developing baby could be profoundly affected if the mother has an iron deficiency, experts found in a study; the consequences can have a long-lasting impact. The risk is there even if the anemia is not severe, and occurs early in the pregnancy, researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center reported in the journal PLoS One. They added that their findings are important, because obstetricians may not detect or treat mild/moderate iron deficiency, especially if it occurs during early pregnancy.
Following an iron-rich diet can help prevent the problems and complications related to anemia during pregnancy.
The following foods are rich sources of iron:
- Dried beans
- Dried fruits, such as apricots
- Egg yolk
- Some cereals, if they are fortified with iron.
- Lean meat
- Oysters (make sure they are cooked if you are pregnant)
- Poultry Salmon
- Tuna
- Lamb, pork and shellfish also contain iron, but less than the items listed above
- Legumes - lima beans, soybeans, kidney beans, dried beans and peas
- Seeds - Brazil nuts and almonds
Vegetables, especially dark green ones. broccoli, spinach, dandelion leaves, asparagus, collards, and kale.
- Wholegrains - brown rice, oats, millet, and wheat.
Source: Medicinenet
So, Pregnant women, You good with Iron!.