What are iron-folic acid (IFA) tablets, and why will I be given them?
In short
- IFA (iron-folic acid) tablets give you two nutrients pregnancy needs more of.
- India's MCP Card (your pregnancy booklet) schedule is one tablet a day, for 6 months.
- They're free, and help prevent and treat anaemia.
- Your own dose may differ — always follow what your doctor tells you.
What happens
- You're given IFA tablets at your antenatal visit, usually starting after your first trimester.
- India's MCP Card schedule is one tablet a day for at least 6 months — your doctor will tell you what's right for you.
- Your progress and haemoglobin level are checked at later antenatal visits.
The details: numbers and where they differ
The numbers
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Iron-folic acid (IFA) tablets (pregnant women, India (MCP Card)) | 1 tablet/day for ≥6 months after 1st trimester; ≥180 tablets total | Ministry of Health & Family Welfare / Ministry of Women and Child Development, Govt of India |
When to call your doctor
- If you have side effects such as nausea, constipation or stomach upset that make it hard to keep taking your tablets — don't just stop; ask your doctor first.
- If you're not sure how many tablets you've been given or for how long to take them.
Discuss your results with your doctor: this page reports what these sources say, not advice for your situation.
Sources
- Ministry of Health & Family Welfare / Ministry of Women and Child Development, Govt of India, Mother and Child Protection (MCP) Card, 2018 Version, 2018. Paraphrased in our own words. © Govt of India, no reuse notice found on the card; treated as MoHFW default (cite + paraphrase).
Sources checked 2026-09-26. How we source and check every page.
Educational summary of named sources, not medical advice.