Iron is key for a healthy pregnancy: How North Texans get the supplements they need
August 4, 2026
Pregnancy asks a lot of your body. As the baby grows, your body works overtime to make more blood, nourish the baby, and prepare you for childbirth. One nutrient plays a critical role in all of it: iron.
Unfortunately, many patients don’t get enough iron during pregnancy. It’s estimated that 15%-25% of pregnant people are iron-deficient. That number increases as pregnancy advances, with one study showing that more than 80% of patients were iron deficient by the third trimester.
While taking a daily iron supplement seems simple, there can be obstacles for some patients. It’s one more step to remember and one more item to purchase. For many people, traveling to a store can be enough of a barrier to prevent them from taking iron consistently.
At UT Southwestern and Parkland Health, we’re working to change that.
Through the North Texas Maternal Health Accelerator, a collaborative effort with Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at Texas Christian University and community partners, we’re providing patients with supplements during prenatal visits. Our joint research shows that giving pregnant patients prenatal iron supplements directly – rather than just recommending them – significantly reduces iron-deficiency anemia and the need for postpartum blood transfusions.
One simple change to remove a barrier can make a meaningful difference in maternal health.
Why is iron so important during pregnancy?
Growing another human takes a lot of iron. The volume of blood in your body nearly doubles during pregnancy, and iron is essential in the production of hemoglobin, the molecule in your blood that carries oxygen throughout the body.
Along with helping support the growing fetus, the additional blood volume helps your body tolerate the normal blood loss that occurs during delivery.
Having too little iron in your body is called iron-deficiency anemia. This condition can cause symptoms such as:
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Fatigue, low energy, or weakness
- Headaches
- Reduced physical activity
- Shortness of breath
Having iron-deficiency anemia during pregnancy has been linked to an increased risk of needing a blood transfusion during delivery.
Researchers continue to study how maternal iron levels affect infant health. While more research is needed, some studies suggest maternal anemia may be associated with premature birth and low birth weight. Iron deficiency anemia also has been linked with an increased risk of postpartum depression.
During pregnancy, your body prioritizes your baby’s iron needs even if you become iron deficient. That's good news for your baby, but it also means you can become depleted if you don't get enough daily iron.
For many patients, diet alone isn’t enough to meet the increased demand for iron during pregnancy. Supplements are a reliable way to get more of this key nutrient for yourself and your baby.
When should you start taking iron supplements?
Because there's no reliable way to predict anemia risk early in pregnancy, we encourage patients to start taking iron supplements at their first prenatal visit or sooner. Keep taking them throughout pregnancy as part of your prenatal care unless your doctor recommends that you not take them, which would be rare.
Most pregnant patients need about 27 mg of iron each day, which is the amount included in many prenatal vitamins. This is about 50% more than your body needs when you are not pregnant. However, some patients may need extra iron depending on their blood counts, medical history, or risk factors.
Always follow your pregnancy care provider's recommendations rather than starting higher-dose supplements on your own. Patients with certain medical conditions, such as those with sickle cell disease, should consult with their health care provider before taking iron supplements.
For those with moderate to severe iron-deficiency anemia or for those who can’t take oral iron supplements, intravenous (IV) iron may be an option. This involves getting iron through an infusion in your arm throughout pregnancy. Researchers are also studying whether some patients with milder anemia may benefit from IV iron later in pregnancy.
Some patients experience constipation, acid reflux, or other stomach discomfort when taking oral iron supplements. If that happens, don’t stop taking them without talking to your pregnancy care provider. Sometimes taking iron less often, changing when you take it, or making dietary adjustments can improve side effects while still helping you maintain healthy iron levels.
Removing barriers so more people get the care they need
Even small obstacles can make a difference during pregnancy: Paying for another medication. Making another stop after work. Remembering one more thing on an already long to-do list.
The North Texas Maternal Health Accelerator (MHA) aims to improve maternal healthcare in the Dallas-Fort Worth area through several initiatives.
In 2020, UTSW researchers wanted to know whether eliminating those barriers could improve pregnancy outcomes. Instead of just recommending over-the-counter iron, clinicians at Parkland Memorial Hospital began handing patients a bottle of iron supplements during prenatal appointments. The result? Those patients were less likely to be anemic or need a blood transfusion when they came in to deliver their babies.
That success is now being expanded through the North Texas Maternal Health Accelerator. UT Southwestern, Parkland Health, Texas Christian University, area hospitals, OB-GYN practices, and community organizations have joined forces to distribute free, over-the-counter iron supplements to pregnant mothers across Tarrant and Dallas counties.
Our first priority is to address the area’s most common severe obstetric complication: postpartum hemorrhage. This potentially fatal condition involves significant bleeding in the six weeks after childbirth. Getting sufficient iron during pregnancy supports your body in making new red blood cells to withstand excessive blood loss if it happens during delivery.
The North Texas Maternal Health Accelerator is also exploring whether providing important medications directly during prenatal care could improve access to other preventive treatments, such as aspirin to help reduce the risk of preeclampsia.
Reducing barriers to healthier pregnancies
Expecting moms are tasked with a lot of responsibilities during pregnancy. Iron supplementation shouldn’t be something they need to worry about, and we’re seeing positive results from lightening our patients’ mental load in this simple way.
While every pregnancy is unique, taking care of your health is one of the best ways to care for your growing baby. Talk with your pregnancy care provider about whether you're getting enough iron and whether your iron levels should be checked during pregnancy.
We’re committed to making healthy pregnancies easier, through cutting-edge research and by improving access to simple, effective treatments that can make a lasting difference for patients and their babies.
To talk with an expert about taking iron supplements during pregnancy, make an appointment by calling 214-645-3838 or request an appointment online.
