Читать книгу Need to Know Fertility, Conception and Pregnancy - Harriet Sharkey - Страница 53

Iron is a mineral that is stored in your liver, spleen and in the centre of certain bones. Maintaining an adequate iron intake is important both before and during your pregnancy. Your developing baby needs iron for the formation of several important proteins. In particular, iron is required for the formation in the red blood cells of haemoglobin, the substance that transports oxygen around your body.

If you have an adequate intake of iron in your diet before and during your pregnancy, you are usually able to meet your own and your developing baby’s needs. Iron supplements are not routinely required when planning a pregnancy. However, there are some women who are more likely to have low iron stores and therefore need to take supplements. These include women who had low iron stores or a diet poor in iron before pregnancy and women expecting twins or triplets. Your doctor is able to advise you about this.