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My midwife was really impressed with how good my iron levels were when they were tested early in my pregnancy. Around 28 weeks I started to complain about extreme exhaustion so she ordered another iron test and it came back just below normal (but significantly below where it had been earlier in my pregnancy).

She said that that is usually the point in pregnancy when iron levels are lowest and they tend to rebound after that. We decided that I would try to treat with diet, as I didn't want to encourage even more constipation than I was already experiencing (a common side effect of iron supplementation). I didn't really do much (I already eat meat and seafood, I eat dark green veggies multiple times a day and I cook with cast iron), but within a week or two I started feeling totally fine again...no more exhaustion.

Good luck whichever path you choose!

I found out around week 28 that my iron was low. I just take an extra iron vitamin every night with all my others. They haven't retested it since that I know of anyway.

The vitamins do cause even more constipation, totally sucks.

I was really low, and they had me on iron pills, but they made me feel SO sick. I just ended up taking an extra prenatal, and that seemed to help. Oh, and I ate a lot of burgers:)

I had to take slow Fe (iron pill) during my first pregnancy, and that fixed things. They were a little nauseating, though!

I am completely iron deficient at the moment (almost passed out on the train), super cranky, tired, sick feeling.

I started taking Iron sups and they have helped a lot. I haven't noticed terrible constipation but they taste DISGUSTING. I think they make me burpy too and then all I can taste is iron and that is enough to make me wanna barf!

I don't eat enough meat (and just can't) to just add more to my diet.

@regberadaisy: And similarly, calcium impedes iron absorption. So many variables to consider!

@hergreenapples: ooh I wonder if that's why cow's milk impedes iron absorption?

@autumnlove: I was slightly iron-deficient after my bloodwork in my 2nd trimester, so my OB just told me to take some Iron supplements.

I took iron supplements for my first pregnancy too... Started around week 24. My OB kept giving me samples from her pharm rep, so I never had to pay for them!

My iron has been fantastic in pregnancy (despite EVERYONE freaking out about how a vegetarian could possibly get enough iron), but I was anemic as a teenager.
I started taking a natural (whole foods based) liquid supplement called Floridix or something like that. It never caused any constipation issues like other supplements do, and it worked quite quickly.
I noticed a change almost immediately after starting it. So, I highly recommend looking into that one if you need it!

I had to get iron iv infusions during pregnancy because my stores were so low

Just wanted to say don't forget seeds! Pumpkin and sesame seeds are very high in iron too.