Transporting Oxygen

• The body requires extra iron during pregnancy to support mother and child. Red blood cells need iron to transport oxygen.
  
  

Fatigue

• Fatigue is the most common symptom of iron deficiency anemia. This occurs because the red blood cells don't contain a sufficient amount of hemoglobin, the protein responsible for delivering oxygen. The lack of oxygen may also cause pale skin and shortness of breath.
  
  

Pica

• Pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia sometimes develop pica. This is a craving for items that aren't food like ice and dirt.
  
  

Coldness

• Iron deficiency anemia may also cause pregnant women to feel colder than normal. Iron deficiency may impair temperature regulation in the body.
  
  

Considerations

• Iron deficiency may cause women to go into preterm labor or deliver children with lower than normal birthweight.