Yes. A woman's need for iron during pregnancy increases. The baby's blood is formed, and the mother's blood volume rises to guarantee an adequate oxygen supply to her growing child. Many women, regardless of their diet, experience anemia during pregnancy. Good sources of iron include green leafy vegetables, beans and legumes, dried fruits, blackstrap molasses, bran flakes, sea vegetables, nuts and seeds.

Cooking food in cast iron skillets can increase the iron content of foods. Some doctors recommend that their pregnant patients take a daily iron supplement in the second and third trimesters. Each woman should discuss her diet in detail with her own health care provider to determine if an iron supplement is necessary.

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