1 in 5 pregnant women in the US are iron deficient. Iron deficiency in pregnancy increases the risk for premature birth, restricted growth of the baby/low birth weight, low iron stores/anemia in the baby, developmental delays, pre-eclampsia, perinatal infection, postpartum depression, and infant death.

Poor nutrition BEFORE pregnancy increases mom’s risk of chronic disease, fatigue, weight gain, infertility, gestational diabetes, hypertension, and c-section rates. For babies, mom’s poor nutrition prior to conception can increase their risk of miscarriage or stillbirth, low or high birth weight, chronic disease later in life, birth defects, and premature birth.

Poor nutrition DURING pregnancy increases mom’s risk of anemia, low energy, pre-eclampsia, hemorrhaging, and death. For babies, poor nutrition during pregnancy increases their risk for stillbirth, low and high birth weight, muscle wasting, developmental delays, predisposition to obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life, poor emotional control and poor cognitive ability later in life.

Poor nutrition AFTER pregnancy increases mom’s risk of postpartum hemorrhage, low energy, postpartum depression, and the inability to lose the weight gained during pregnancy. For babies, if their nutrition is poor, it can lead to poor weight gain, dehydration/hospitalization, poor cognitive development, and nutrient deficiencies.