Why You Should Not Stop Calcium and Iron Supplements Midway After Delivery
After childbirth, a mother's body needs extra nutrition to recover. Stopping iron and calcium supplements too early can lead to anaemia, weak bones and lasting health problems.
After delivery, a woman's body needs extra nutrition to recover. During pregnancy and childbirth the body can become deficient in iron, calcium and several other essential nutrients. This is why doctors often advise women to continue taking iron and calcium supplements for a few months even after delivery. But many women stop these supplements midway as soon as they start feeling a little better, which can have a negative effect on their health.
Harms of stopping iron supplements midway
Blood loss during delivery is normal. This can cause a deficiency of iron in the body. If iron supplements are stopped before time, the risk of anaemia, that is a shortage of blood, can increase.
Because of this, women may face problems such as constant fatigue, weakness, dizziness, breathlessness and headache. A new mother needs a lot of energy to look after her baby, but iron deficiency can leave the body weak. In some women, hair fall, paleness of the skin and difficulty in concentrating may also be seen.
Iron is important for breastfeeding mothers too, because the body needs enough nutrition for both recovery and milk production.
Harms of stopping calcium supplements midway
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, calcium from the mother's body is used for the baby's growth and milk production. If calcium is not replenished after delivery, the bones can start becoming weak.
Stopping calcium supplements midway can increase problems such as back pain, joint pain, muscle cramps, weakening of the teeth and fatigue. If calcium deficiency continues for a long time, the risk of osteoporosis, that is weakening of the bones, can also increase in the future.
Some women may also feel tingling in the hands and feet or muscle pulls. In breastfeeding mothers the need for calcium increases even more, so supplements should not be stopped without a doctor's advice.
Tips for taking supplements the right way
Do take the supplements for the full duration advised by your doctor. Taking the iron tablet with Vitamin C can improve its absorption. Do not take calcium and iron supplements together, as this can affect their absorption in the body. Also include nutritious foods such as milk, curd, green vegetables, lentils, beans, sesame seeds and dry fruits in your diet. Keep getting regular health check-ups and blood tests done.
After delivery, the body takes time to recover completely. So simply feeling well is not a sign that all of the body's nutritional needs have been met. Completing the course of iron and calcium supplements as advised by your doctor is extremely important for the mother's long-term health.
