Kabtafer Plus Medical Team · Last reviewed: 11 October 2026
Sources: WHO hemoglobin guideline (2024), WHO ferritin guideline (2020), the WHO anaemia fact sheet (2025), JAMA 2025 review, StatPearls and the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements.
The short answer
The World Health Organization defines anemia in pregnancy as hemoglobin below 11.0 g/dL in the first and third trimesters, and below 10.5 g/dL in the second trimester. It affects about 37% of pregnant women worldwide. Iron deficiency is a common cause because the body needs more iron during pregnancy. Treatment is led by your obstetrician — usually oral iron, and sometimes IV iron later in pregnancy.
Have your lab report? Use our free iron blood test checker →
Key points
- WHO limits: <11.0 g/dL (1st trimester), <10.5 g/dL (2nd), <11.0 g/dL (3rd).
- WHO estimates 37% of pregnant women worldwide are anemic.
- In the first trimester, WHO uses ferritin below 15 µg/L to define iron deficiency.
- Pregnancy increases iron needs, so stores that were borderline before pregnancy can run out.
- Treatment is doctor-led; a 2025 JAMA review lists IV iron as an option in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters when indicated.
- Folic acid before and in early pregnancy matters for your baby — follow your doctor’s advice.
- Thalassemia trait is common in the UAE and can look like iron deficiency on a blood count.
What hemoglobin level counts as anemia in each trimester?
In March 2024, WHO published updated hemoglobin cut-offs. For pregnancy they are:
| Stage of pregnancy | Anemia if hemoglobin is below |
|---|---|
| First trimester | 11.0 g/dL |
| Second trimester | 10.5 g/dL |
| Third trimester | 11.0 g/dL |
| For comparison: non-pregnant women 15–65 | 12.0 g/dL |
The lower limit in pregnancy reflects the normal increase in blood plasma, which dilutes hemoglobin somewhat. Your lab report may use slightly different reference ranges; your doctor will interpret your result in context. See anemia blood test explained for help reading a CBC.
How is severity graded?
WHO also grades how severe anemia is. For pregnant women in the first and third trimesters:
| Severity | Hemoglobin (g/dL), 1st and 3rd trimester |
|---|---|
| Mild | 10.0–10.9 |
| Moderate | 7.0–9.9 |
| Severe | below 7.0 |
Whatever the grade, anemia in pregnancy should be assessed and managed by your obstetrician, who will decide how quickly treatment is needed.
What about ferritin?
Hemoglobin shows whether you are anemic; ferritin shows your iron stores. The WHO 2020 ferritin guideline defines iron deficiency in pregnant women as ferritin below 15 µg/L in the first trimester. Ferritin also rises with infection or inflammation, so WHO uses a higher threshold (below 70 µg/L for people aged 5 and over) when inflammation is present. Your doctor may also look at transferrin saturation. Low ferritin with normal hemoglobin means stores are running low even before anemia appears.
Why does pregnancy raise iron needs?
StatPearls lists pregnancy among the main causes of increased iron need. Your blood volume expands, the baby and placenta build their own iron supply, and delivery involves some blood loss. Women who start pregnancy with low stores — for example after heavy periods, a recent previous pregnancy, or a low-meat diet — are more likely to become anemic. The postpartum period is also a time to recheck iron.
When will I be tested?
Most antenatal care in the UAE, whether at DHA, DoH or MOHAP facilities or private clinics, includes a complete blood count at the booking visit and further checks later in pregnancy. The exact schedule depends on your obstetrician and your history. If you feel unusually tired, breathless, dizzy, or notice a racing heartbeat, mention it rather than waiting for the next routine test. Tiredness is common in pregnancy, but it should not be assumed to be “normal”.
In the UAE, ask whether thalassemia trait has been checked (for example at premarital screening). It can cause small red cells that look like iron deficiency, and the two can coexist. Read thalassemia trait vs iron deficiency.
How is anemia in pregnancy treated?
Treatment depends on the cause, so it must be prescribed by your doctor. For iron-deficiency anemia:
- Oral iron is usually the first step. Your doctor chooses the product, dose and schedule.
- IV iron may be used in the second or third trimester when indicated — for example if oral iron is not tolerated, according to the 2025 JAMA review.
- Follow-up blood tests check whether hemoglobin and ferritin are responding.
Do not start, stop or change iron during pregnancy without speaking to your obstetrician. See also how long iron supplements take to work and iron-deficiency anemia.
Why does folic acid matter?
Folic acid (a form of folate) is important before conception and in early pregnancy for the baby’s development, and folate is also needed to make red blood cells. Most obstetricians recommend a folic acid supplement when planning pregnancy and in early pregnancy — follow the dose your doctor advises, especially if you take other supplements that already contain it.
How can I absorb more iron from food while pregnant?
According to the NIH, vitamin C and meat, fish or poultry improve absorption of plant iron, while tea and coffee polyphenols and calcium can reduce it. In practice:
- Pair lentils, beans or leafy greens with vitamin C foods such as citrus, tomatoes or peppers (vitamin C and iron).
- Keep karak, tea and coffee away from main meals (coffee, tea and iron).
- Choose well-cooked iron-rich foods from our UAE food list.
- If you fast in Ramadan, discuss it with your obstetrician first; see Ramadan fasting and iron.
Our detailed guide to iron absorption in pregnancy covers timing and meal planning.
Where Kabtafer Plus fits
Kabtafer Plus is an iron-free food supplement that supports absorption of iron from food. Each tablet contains 400 mcg folic acid alongside vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, copper and marine cartilage oligosaccharides. It is not a substitute for iron or IV iron prescribed in pregnancy. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, discuss it with your obstetrician before use, including how it fits with any prenatal vitamins you already take. It is not suitable for iron overload or thalassemia trait without iron deficiency. See product details and the clinical evidence.
Frequently asked questions
Is a hemoglobin just above 10.5 g/dL in the second trimester anemia?
Not by WHO’s definition — the second-trimester cut-off is below 10.5 g/dL. Your doctor may still check ferritin if your stores could be low.
Is anemia in pregnancy common?
Yes. WHO estimates 37% of pregnant women worldwide are anemic. See anemia in the UAE and GCC for regional data.
Can I take tea with my iron tablet?
It is better not to. Tea polyphenols reduce iron absorption. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the best time to take your tablet; see when to take an iron supplement.
Will I need IV iron?
Not usually. Oral iron is often enough. IV iron may be used in the second or third trimester when your doctor decides it is needed.
Should I keep checking my iron after delivery?
Yes, especially if you were anemic or lost more blood at delivery. See postpartum iron recovery.
This article is for general education and does not replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist.
Sources
- World Health Organization. Guideline on haemoglobin cutoffs to define anaemia in individuals and populations. 5 March 2024. who.int
- World Health Organization. WHO guideline on use of ferritin concentrations to assess iron status in individuals and populations. 2020. NCBI Bookshelf NBK569877
- World Health Organization. Anaemia — fact sheet. 10 February 2025. who.int
- Auerbach M, DeLoughery TG, Tirnauer JS. Iron deficiency in adults: a review. JAMA. 2025;333(20):1813–1823. PMID 40159291
- StatPearls. Iron Deficiency Anemia. NCBI Bookshelf NBK448065
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Iron — Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. ods.od.nih.gov