Anemia during pregnancy is the most common medical problem. It should be diagnosed and treated early in pregnancy as it can cause several complications in the baby. Anemia in pregnancy can be treated easily and usually on the first pre-natal visit most doctors test for it and suggest suitable medication.
What is anemia?
Anemia is a condition in which your blood has a lower than normal level of red blood cells or the red blood cells do not have enough hemoglobin. Normally a healthy human being has about 5 million red blood cells in every cubic millimeter of blood. These cells contain a protein called hemoglobin that carries oxygen throughout the body. When you have low amount of red blood cells in the body your body does not get oxygen from blood.
Anemia during pregnancy is common
What is anemia during pregnancy?
Anemia during pregnancy is very common. It occurs as the fetus uses the iron from the mother’s body for its growth and development. Moreover, the volume of blood increases in pregnant women by almost 50% and this may result in a drop in the percentage of red blood cells which leads to anemia.
Symptoms of anemia
The symptoms of anemia are easy to detect. You may feel tired and dizzy. There can be rapid heartbeat and breathing problem. The skin, nails and underside of eyelids may turn pale.
Types of anemia during pregnancy
Several types of anemia can occur during pregnancy.
- iron- deficiency anemia – The most common type of anemia that occurs during pregnancy is iron- deficiency anemia. The growing baby uses iron store of her mother for its own development. If the mother has sufficient iron stored in her body then she can meet the increased demand. But if she has less iron that is necessary to produce red blood cells then she will develop anemia. Several other reasons may also exist behind this type of anemia like poor diet, blood loss during pregnancy and regular use of antacids.
- Sickle-cell anemia – is another type of anemia that can occur during pregnancy. In this case the bone marrow creates red blood cells that are abnormal and block the blood vessels. This often causes pain in the abdomen and limbs of the pregnant women.
- Thalassemia - among pregnant women is rare and is found more in Mediterranean people. A protein called globulin is produced less by the body which leads to anemia. People with family history of Thalassemia should always consult their doctors.
- Deficiency of vitamin B12 – We require vitamin B12 to synthesize proteins and to form red blood cells. Deficiency of vitamin B12 can also cause anemia. This type of anemia is mostly found in women who are strict vegans and consume no animal protein.
Folic acid or folate is a B-vitamin that closely works with iron to promote cell growth. Folate and iron are mostly found in same type of foods and iron deficiency is often linked to folate deficiency. -
Anemia of pregnancy
As we have mentioned before, during pregnancy a woman’s blood volume can increase by 50%. This often causes the percentage of red blood cells to drop. This type of anemia is called anemia of pregnancy and is considered normal unless the levels fall too much.
Risk from anemia during pregnancy
- Anemia during pregnancy should be treated with utmost importance. Anemia in pregnancy can result in preterm delivery, it may retard physical growth of the baby and cause low birth weight.
- It causes the would-be-mother to feel tired and fatigued.
- A recent report has revealed that children born from mothers with iron-deficiency anemia stood at higher risk of developing disorders like schizophrenia.
- Iron deficiency along with folate deficiency can cause serious defects in the brain and spinal cord of the baby.
Treatment of anemia during pregnancy
- Anemia is easy to treat although the treatment will depend on the type and severity of the case. Usually from the initial stage of pregnancy doctors examine blood to know about the red blood cell count.
- Iron supplements are usually prescribed to increase blood count aggressively. Most of the iron supplements are safe if taken under doctor supervision. They may cause nausea and constipation.
- Vitamin C intake should be increased to help in better absorption of iron.
- Doctors often prescribe multivitamin also to reduce anemia caused by deficiency of folic acid or vitamin B12.
- Anemia during pregnancy can be prevented by focusing on the diet. A diet which stresses on iron rich foods like red meat, tofu, and dark leafy vegetables will definitely help you in fighting anemia. You should include poultry products and whole grain also in your diet.
- Try to increase your intake of dried beans and peas and also citrus juices and fruits.
Anemia during pregnancy is common and it is important to treat it as it may pose serious health problems to the baby and the mother also. Read more about treating anaemia through home remedies.
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