Blood volume increases during pregnancy. This means that the iron intake of an expectant mom should increase to help her body produce hemoglobin, a protein in the red blood cells which supplies oxygen to the baby inside the womb. So, iron vitamins for pregnant is really a must.
No wonder why iron vitamins are one of the most common prenatal supplements prescribed by health care providers.
And if you are on the hunt for the best one, check out our top picks of iron vitamins for pregnant women available online.
Importance of iron during pregnancy
As pregnancy progresses, your body’s essential nutrient requirements multiply. It is because the baby inside your womb also needs those nutrients to support their overall development.
And one of the essential nutrients that plays an important role during pregnancy is iron.
The production of blood during pregnancy doubles up. Your body needs more iron to use it for hemoglobin production.
And hemoglobin is essential as it is the protein in the red blood cells that carries oxygen to your tissues and to your growing baby.
Aside from that, low iron count in the body results in iron deficiency anemia that might put you and your little one at risk.
Effects of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy
Pregnant moms are prone to have iron deficiency anemia because of the sudden increase of blood production in her body which requires more iron.
This condition has health impacts that might put her and her baby at risk. Listed here are the effects of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy:
- Makes the expectant mom feeling weak and tired most of the time.
- Development of severe headache.
- Triggers breathing difficulty and palpitation.
- Sleeping problems.
- Increased risk for cesarean delivery.
- Might lead to placental abruption.
- Increase the risk of getting perinatal infections.
- Increases the risk of premature birth.
- Might cause miscarriage.
- Can result in low birth weight.
Tips on preventing iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy
To prevent iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy, take note of these helpful practices that you can do:
- Eat iron-rich foods such as meat, poultry, fish and dried beans;
- Take iron vitamins or vitamins with iron for pregnant. Expectant mom should take at least 27 mg of iron per day;
- Consume foods high in folic acid like wheat, orange, and dark leafy vegetables;
- Include vitamin C-rich foods in your diet to help your body absorb more iron; and
- Avoid drinking coffee or tea. These drinks can make it difficult for your body to absorb iron.
Benefits of taking iron vitamins during pregnancy
Here are the benefits of taking iron vitamins during pregnancy:
- It fights the risks of having iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy – Taking iron vitamins for pregnant can suffice the additional iron requirement of an expectant mom.
- It prevents excessive tiredness – Iron deficiency makes the pregnant mom feeling tired most of the time. Having an adequate amount of iron in the body by taking iron vitamins can prevent the feeling of over fatigue.
- It helps on proper and healthy development of the baby – Iron is one of the essential nutrients needed for the development of your baby’s organs, particularly the brain. And taking vitamins with iron can be helpful in maintaining an expectant mom’s iron level normal.
- It improves an infant’s birth weight – Having low iron levels in the body can lead to low birth weight that is why a pregnant mom should boost her iron intake.
5 Best iron vitamins: Fight iron deficiency during pregnancy
To help you choose the best iron vitamins for pregnant, here are our top picks which you can purchase online:
|
Brand |
Best For… |
Iberet – Folic 500 |
Best Overall |
Hemarate FA |
Best Anti Iron-Deficiency Anemia |
United Home Fersulfate |
Most Affordable |
Nature Made Iron |
Best Natural |
Nature’s Truth Essential Iron Gummies + B-Vitamins and Zinc |
Best Gummy supplement |
5 Best Iron Vitamins For Pregnant
| Iberet - Folic 500 Best Iron supplement | | View Details | Buy Now |
| Hemarate FA Best Anti Iron-Deficiency Anemia | | View Details | Buy Now |
| United Home Fersulfate Iron Most Affordable | | View Details | Buy Now |
| Nature Made Iron Best Natural | | View Details | Buy Now |
| Nature’s Truth Essential Iron Gummies + B-Vitamins and Zinc Best Gummy Supplement | | View Details | Buy Now |
Best Overall
The best vitamin that provides overall pregnancy health care is multivitamins with adequate amount of iron.
And this is what Iberet – Folic 500 offers. It is a blood booster iron supplement with vitamin C for better iron absorption, vitamin B-complex for energy enhancement and folic acid for neural tube defect prevention.
These essential nutrients are needed not just by moms-to-be, but also by the precious one inside her womb for healthier growth and development.
Additionally, Iberet – Folic 500 effectively prevents and fights iron deficiency anemia with its maximum iron absorption benefit with the help of its unique sustained-release system, the gradumet technology.
Each capsule contains 105 mg iron which is equivalent to 12 iron-rich foods combined that provides an adequate amount of iron in the body.
Aside from that, the formulation of this iron vitamin for pregnant women is tummy-friendly because of its lesser gastric irritation effect.
Features we love:
- Multivitamins + iron.
- Blood booster.
- Gradumet technology for maximum iron absorption.
- Lesser gastric irritation.
Best Anti Iron-Deficiency Anemia
Fight iron deficiency anemia safely and effectively with Unilab’s Hemarate FA.
This supplement contains 60 mg of elemental iron, folic acid, and vitamin B-complex which can address iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia.
It also helps in promoting active and healthy blood circulation. What’s more to love with this iron vitamin is that it is safe for pregnant and lactating moms.
The essential nutrients each tablet contains are beneficial for an expectant mom, particularly on maintaining the normal iron level in her body. It also helps prevent neural tube defects for the baby.
Furthermore, this iron supplement also prevents and treats folate deficiency and for lowering of plasma homocysteine.
Features we love:
- Has 60 mg elemental iron.
- With folic acid and vitamin-B complex.
- Safe for pregnant and lactating moms.
- Treats and prevents iron deficiency anemia.
Most Affordable
If you are looking for an affordable iron vitamin for pregnant women, check out United Home Fersulfate.
This affordable yet effective iron vitamin is safe even for pregnant and breastfeeding moms.
Each 65 mg sugar coated tablet contains 65 mg elemental iron that is necessary for healthy blood, synthesis of hemoglobin, and for the prevention of iron deficiency anemia.
Moreover, this iron vitamin is beneficial not just for the expectant mom, but also for the baby inside her womb.
It helps facilitate healthy fetal growth. Adequate amount of iron also promotes the development of the baby’s spinal cord and the white matter of the brain.
Features we love:
- Affordable iron vitamin.
- Contains 65 mg elemental iron.
- Beneficial to both pregnant mom and baby.
Best Natural
The safest and cleanest way to fuel your body with iron is by consuming iron supplements made with natural ingredients. And if you are searching for one, Nature Made Iron is the one to try on.
It provides 65 mg iron formulated with other natural substances which helps those who lack iron in their body, especially the moms-to-be, to meet their nutritional needs.
Secondly, this iron vitamin does not just help support adequate iron in the body for overall health, it also plays a vital role for red blood cell formation.
The product doesn’t have synthetic dyes since its color is derived from natural sources.
Also, it is free from gluten and artificial flavors. This is also perfect for pregnant moms who are tired of drinking large prenatal capsules since it has a tiny size which is about half an inch.
Features we love:
- Sourced from high quality natural ingredients.
- Support adequate iron in the body.
- Free from synthetic dyes, flavors, and gluten.
- Tiny tablet size.
Best Gummy Supplement
Believe or not, there is an iron vitamin that is in the form of gummies! Add up more iron in your body the fun and enjoyable way with Nature’s Truth Essential Iron Gummies + B-Vitamins and Zinc.
Flavored with natural grapes, you’ll definitely get excited to have your daily dose of iron in the form of these soft and chewy gummies.
These vegan gummies contain iron, with essential B-vitamins and zinc which offer beneficial effects to the body and provide additional vitamin and mineral support.
Furthermore, each delicious gummy has 18 mg of iron which can fulfill an adult’s daily iron requirement.
But for pregnant moms, the recommended number of gummies might increase since they need more iron to support their changing needs.
Aside from that, these iron gummies are non-GMO, gluten-free, wheat free, yeast free, milk free, lactose free, soy free, artificial flavor free and artificial sweetener free.
Features we love:
- Iron gummy supplement.
- Vegan.
- Contains B-vitamins and zinc.
- Free from harsh substances and allergens.
Price Comparison
In summary, here is a list of the prices for the best iron vitamins for pregnant in the Philippines:
|
Iron vitamins |
Pack size |
Price (Php) |
Price per piece (Php) |
Iberet – Folic 500 |
30 tablets |
934.00 |
31.13 |
Hemarate FA |
10 tablets |
251.00 |
25.10 |
United Home Fersulfate |
100 tablets |
157.00 |
1.57 |
Nature Made Iron |
365 tablets |
900.00 |
2.47 |
Nature’s Truth Essential Iron Gummies + B-Vitamins and Zinc |
60 gummies |
789.00 |
13.15 |
Note: Each item and price is up to date as of publication, however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
Morning sickness is another struggle for soon-to-be moms, check out what can help you: Top 5 Ginger Tea for Pregnant Moms Struggling With Morning Sickness