Iron deficiency anemia during late pregnancy occurs due to insufficient iron to build hemoglobin during which window?

• A. 28-40 weeks
• B. First trimester
• C. Second trimester
• D. Postpartum

Answer: (A)

Iron is needed to form hemoglobin, and during pregnancy the demand for iron climbs sharply as the fetus grows and the mother’s blood volume expands. The biggest surge occurs in the third trimester, when most fetal iron transfer happens. Because of this rapid demand, insufficient iron intake or stored iron shows up as iron deficiency anemia during the late-pregnancy window (roughly 28 to 40 weeks). First-trimester needs are rising but not at their peak, the second trimester is intermediate, and postpartum relates to blood loss after delivery rather than the iron-building period during pregnancy. So the anemia most likely reflects inadequate iron during this late-pregnancy period.