Question

A primigravida presents to you with anemia early in her pregnancy. She is 7 weeks pregnant as seen on ultrasound. Her hemoglobin level is 9 g/dL. When should the iron supplements be started for her?

• A. 10 to 12 weeks
• B. 8 to 10 weeks
• C. After 14 weeks
• D. After 20 weeks

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

In the context of managing anemia in pregnancy, it's critical to understand when to initiate treatment to optimize maternal and fetal outcomes. In this scenario, the patient is 7 weeks pregnant and presents with a hemoglobin level of 9 g/dL, indicating anemia.

Iron supplementation is a cornerstone in managing anemia, especially in early pregnancy. The general recommendation for starting iron supplements in pregnant women with anemia is between 8 to 10 weeks of gestation. This timing ensures that the body can start replenishing iron stores and improving hemoglobin levels well before the significant increase in blood volume that occurs during pregnancy.

Starting supplementation at 8 to 10 weeks allows for proper management of iron levels and helps prevent complications associated with anemia as the pregnancy progresses.

Gestational Age	Intervention
8 to 10 weeks	Begin iron supplementation

Therefore, the correct time to start iron supplements for the patient in question would be between 8 to 10 weeks of gestation.