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Iron Deficiency during Pregnancy
Women may suffer from iron deficiency anemia due iron losses during pregnancies and menses. During pregnancy, the blood volume increases by about 50%. Mother's body keeps providing iron to the fetus as needed. The iron demand by the fetus peaks by the 20th week of gestation. Don't worry about the health of the fetus, it will keep drawing the iron as needed. The mother may develop Iron deficiency anemia.
In Vegetarian Indian diet, there are many sources of Iron.
During pregnancy, Pica foods such as eating clay and raw rice may further slow down iron bioavailability. In Indian vegetarian diet iron bio-availability depends on Calcium, Phytates, Phosphates, Tannates, Oxalates, and Carbonates. I have developed a guideline to maximize iron bio-availability.
Dietary guidelines iron deficient vegetarians
In United States, it is common to prescribe Iron Supplements during pregnancy. The supplements may cause constipation, you should eat enough fiber and drink plenty of water to avoid constipation.
Do not take Iron supplement with coffee, tea, or milk. Iron supplements should be taken with fruit juice high in vitamin C, such as orange juice.