Anaemia status: Anaemia status of the pregnant women was determined by measuring their Hb levels. The Hb measurements of the pregnant women were performed using a portable heme analyser (Hemocue Hb 301, HemoCue AB, Sweden). The middle finger of the pregnant woman was cleaned using disinfectant and then pricked at the side of the
fingertip. The first 2 or 3 drops were discarded and the next drop was drawn and placed onto a micro-cuvette, which was then inserted into the heme analyser and a reading was
obtained within 45 sec. The value was recorded, and disclosed to and discussed with each participant.