erythrocytes and hemoglobin increase during pregnancy, their increases are slow in the initial half the pregnancy period, causing relative hydremia, and the hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit are lowest in the 5th to 7th month of pregnancy. In the latter half of the pregnancy period, erythrocytes and hem globin increase markedly, and the hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit tend to increase and finally reach normal levels at 6 puerperal weeks in healthy pregnant women in the US are taking iron supplements, the 5th percentile values of the hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit are reported to be 11.0g/dl and 33 at 12 weeks of 10.6 g/dl and 32.0% at 16 weeks, dl and 32.0 at 20 weeks, 10.5 g/dl and 32.0% at 24 weeks, 107 g/dl and 32.0% at 28 weeks, 11 0g/dl and 33.0% at weeks, 11.4 g/dl and 34.0% at 36 weeks, and 11.9g/dl and 36.0% at 40 weeks' In the US these values are used as indications of the normal lower limits. An adult woman has about 2,000mg iron in he body, 60-70% of which is present in erythrocytes, with the rest stored in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow. When a woman becomes pregnant. the demand for iron increases Specifically, about 1.000mg more is required, comp 300mg for the fetus and placenta, 500mg for increased mater. hemoglobin, and 200 mg that compensates for excretion. Therefore, an additional 50% of the amount of iron present in the non-pregnant state should be ingested during pregnancy. This corresponds to an additional intake of 4mg iron per day. Since the absorption of iron in food is about 10%. the additional oral iron intake necessary for a pregnant woman is calculated be 40mg/day. However, according to the 2005 Dietary Reference Intakes in Japan, the necessary intake of iron in Japanese women with menstruation is 10.5 mg/day, whereas it is 20mg during pregnancy Folic acid is plentiful in green and yellow vegetables, fruits beens, and liver. About 500'% the iron in the body is stored in the liver, and deficiency seldom occurs if a well-balanced diet. is maintained. According to the 2005 Dietary Reference Intakes in Japan, 240 ug folic acid