Can pregnant women take ferrous sulfate?

Stacy Wiegman, PharmD

Pharmacy

Yes, pregnant women can take the iron supplement ferrous sulfate. Iron supports fetal growth and maternal health. Pregnant women need about twice as much iron as non-pregnant women, because of:

Increased blood volume during pregnancy
Increased needs of the fetus
Blood losses that occur during delivery

If you’re pregnant, ask your doctor about taking ferrous sulfate. Also, tell your doctor if you're taking iron supplements and then become pregnant.

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Minerals

Our bodies need some inorganic substances like iron, calcium and chromium for proper health. If you're not getting enough of a particular mineral, there are a wide array of mineral supplements available. Often it is not as easy to take in or absorb minerals by themselves, so look for recommendations about taking supplements with a meal or seeing how supplements are frequently combined -- like calcium with vitamin D.

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