When is iron therapy recommended for anaemia in pregnancy?

Pregnancy changes blood volume, so clinicians interpret haemoglobin alongside the pregnancy stage and other blood results. They may check the size and appearance of red blood cells, iron stores, and possible causes such as vitamin deficiency or blood loss. Iron tablets are often considered first when deficiency is suitable for oral treatment. Intravenous iron may be discussed when anaemia is more marked, tablets are not tolerated or absorbed, or there is limited time to improve levels before birth.

Take iron exactly as prescribed and tell your clinician about nausea, constipation, stomach pain or dark stools. Some drinks, foods and medicines can reduce absorption, so ask when to take your dose and whether it should be separated from other supplements. Keep follow-up blood tests; treatment is adjusted according to the result and your symptoms. Read more about [Iron Therapy](/treatments/medical-gynaecology/iron-therapy/).

Contact your maternity team urgently for breathlessness at rest, chest pain, fainting, a racing heartbeat with weakness, heavy bleeding, or sudden worsening fatigue. These symptoms can have causes that need prompt assessment and should not be attributed to anaemia without review.

Ask whether your results show iron deficiency, which treatment suits you, when repeat blood tests are needed, and what symptoms should trigger earlier review.