Iron & Prenatal Vitamins.

The need for iron is higher during pregnancy. There are many physiological changes that occur during pregnancy to support the growing baby. During this time, the amount of blood in your body increases by up to 50%, but your red blood cells do not increase equally³.

As a result of this, a natural haemodilution occurs more during pregnancy than at any other time in a human’s lifespan.

It can sometimes be difficult to get enough iron from food alone and because of this it is very important to monitor your iron levels, especially during pregnancy. If you are low in iron or are at risk of developing low iron levels we recommend supplementing with Active Iron.

Active Iron Pregnancy contains non-constipating Active Iron plus a complete time-release multivitamin providing all the key nutrients mum and baby need throughout pregnancy including:

• Iron and B Vitamins (B2, B5, B6, B12 and biotin) to support energy production and help fight tiredness and fatigue
• Iron to support blood building and oxygen transport
• Folic acid as highly absorbable L-methylfolate to help support foetal development **
• Vitamin D, vitamin C, zinc and iron to support immune function
• Vitamin B5 to support mental performance and iron, iodine and zinc to support cognitive function
• Calcium, magnesium, vitamin D and vitamin K to support bone and muscle health
• Vitamin B6 to help regulate hormonal activity
• Vitamin E, copper and selenium to help protect cells from oxidation

If you have low iron during pregnancy, your midwife/healthcare provider will more than likely prescribe a high dose iron for you. High dose iron can sometimes cause unpleasant side effects like nausea and constipation.

Active Iron Pregnancy is different because it is well absorbed, making it gentle on the stomach. This means Active Iron Pregnancy helps avoid side effects such as nausea and constipation.

• Folic acid (folate)
• Iron
• Calcium
• Vitamin D
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin C

To name a few, are all very important throughout pregnancy. However, every person has different needs and requirements.

Those who are planning to conceive have the opportunity to prepare their bodies and ensure that they are eating a healthy, well-balanced diet. You should take folic acid for at least 1 month before conception but with that being said, in Ireland, the HSE do recommend all women of childbearing age take folic acid.

For those who don’t have the opportunity to plan their pregnancy or haven’t been taking folic acid, it is quite important to start as soon as possible and throughout the first trimester at a minimum. Prenatal vitamins are suitable to take in early pregnancy and are designed to complement a healthy, well-balanced diet.

Iron is one of the most important nutrients that is monitored by your midwife/healthcare provider during pregnancy. We recommend taking Active Iron from the 1st trimester to help support iron levels and avoid the need for high dose iron supplements later on in pregnancy which can cause side effects.

It is recommended that prenatal vitamins/supplements are taken throughout the entire pregnancy. It is also important to continue supplementation after giving birth.

It is quite difficult to measure how long it takes for all prenatal vitamins and iron to work. This is because there are numerous brands and types of vitamins, that all vary in ingredients as well as other contributing factors.

However, Active Iron in particular is clinically proven to increase iron levels by 94% in 6 weeks¹, but many start to feel the benefits earlier than that.