1 in 3 pregnant women get anaemia – but a new trial hopes early iron can stop it
Could a daily iron pill help prevent pregnancy complications? A major UK trial is underway
A new pregnancy trial has launched across the UK to see whether taking iron supplements early in pregnancy could reduce the risk of serious complications like stillbirth, postnatal depression and blood loss during birth.
Why iron matters more than you might think
We know iron is important during pregnancy, but a new UK-wide study is taking things a step further—asking: what if we don’t just treat iron deficiency once it shows up, but try to prevent it in the first place?
The PANDA trial (short for Prevention of Anaemia in Pregnancy) is being led by NHS Blood and Transplant in partnership with the University of Oxford, and it's aiming to answer a surprisingly unanswered question: could a simple daily iron tablet, taken from early pregnancy, actually stop anaemia from developing at all?
Around 1 in 3 pregnant women in the UK develop anaemia—a condition where your body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen.
And while it’s common, anaemia’s not without risks. It's been linked to increased chances of stillbirth, postpartum haemorrhage and even postnatal depression.
Hayley Wheeler, a research midwife at Royal Berkshire Hospital, explains: “At the moment, if women are diagnosed with anaemia during pregnancy, they will be treated for it, but sometimes it can be a little bit too late.”
Who can take part in the trial?
The trial is open to pregnant women in the UK who are under 16 weeks and expecting one baby.
So far, up to 50 NHS maternity wards are taking part, including big names like John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.
If you’re eligible and interested, you can chat to your midwife or healthcare team about joining.
Half of the women in the study will be given a daily iron tablet, while the other half will take a placebo (a dummy pill).
Researchers will track the outcomes to see if there are noticeable differences between the two groups.
Prof Simon Stanworth, a consultant haematologist at NHS Blood and Transplant, who’s leading the research, says the aim is simple: stop anaemia before it starts.
We’ve generally taken an approach of treating anaemia once we spot it, but what we’re doing with this study is trying to see if we can prevent anaemia happening—and therefore hopefully we reduce some of those complications.
What makes this study different?
Iron supplements are nothing new—many pregnant women are prescribed them when their mid-pregnancy bloods show signs of low iron.
But what researchers want to know is whether taking iron before those levels drop could be a game-changer for mums and babies alike.
“This is a very common medication, iron,” Prof Stanworth says. “And actually, even in 2025, we don’t really know how to use it best. We’re beginning to put a lot more research and scrutiny on these very common treatments now, and trying to see if we can do better.”
The PANDA trial is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and the findings could shape national guidelines for pregnancy care in the future.
Why this matters for mums
The idea of a “preventative” approach to anaemia is welcome news for many mums who’ve experienced the tiredness, dizziness and breathlessness that can come with low iron—let alone the more serious risks.
If proven successful, a simple iron tablet could become a standard part of early pregnancy care, helping expectant mums stay stronger, feel better and reduce the risk of complications at birth.
As the research continues, mums-to-be are being encouraged to speak to their midwives if they want to learn more or find out if their local hospital is taking part.
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Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.