Anemia in Pregnancy: Recognizing Symptoms and Boosting Iron Levels

Many types of anemia can develop during pregnancy. Such as:

• Iron deficiency anemia.
• Folate deficiency anemia.
• Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.

They are described as follows:

Iron deficiency anemia: This type of anemia occurs when the body does not have enough iron to make the required amount of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein present in red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to other parts of the body.

In iron deficiency anemia, the blood is unable to carry enough oxygen throughout the body. The most prominent cause of anemia during pregnancy is iron deficiency. 

Folate deficiency anemia: Folate is naturally found in some foods, such as green leafy vegetables. It is a type of vitamin B. The body needs folate to produce new cells, including red blood cells. 

During pregnancy, women need extra folate. But sometimes they do not get enough folate from the diet. When this happens, the body cannot produce enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to tissues throughout the body. Man-made products to replace folate are called folic acid.

Folate deficiency can cause some abnormalities at birth, such as neural tube abnormalities or spina bifida - also called a cleft spine - and low birth weight.

Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia: The body needs vitamin B12 to produce healthy red blood cells. If a pregnant woman does not get enough vitamin B12 from her diet, her body cannot produce enough red blood cells. Women who do not eat meat, chicken, dairy products and eggs are at a higher risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. This can lead to neural tube abnormalities and premature delivery.

 (Read more - Iron-Rich Diet Tips for Pregnant Women Facing Anemia)

We inhale the oxygen present in the air in the form of breath. This oxygen is transported to the cells of the body by hemoglobin. The normal amount of hemoglobin depends on age, onset of adolescence and the sex of the person. For example -

• In newborns: 17 to 22 g/dl
• In infants of 1 week: 15 to 20 g/dl
• In infants of 1 month: 11 to 15 g/dl
• In children: 11 to 13 g/dl
• In adult men: 14 to 18 g/dl
• In adult women: 12 to 16 g/dl
• In men after middle age: 12.4 to 14.9 g/dl
• In women after middle age: 11.7 to 13.8 g/dl

In pregnancy, naturally occurring hemoglobin can drop to as low as 10.5 g/dl. This anemic condition is normal during pregnancy.

The main symptoms of anemia during pregnancy are as follows:

• Paleness in skin, lips and nails.
• Feeling tired and weak.
• Dizziness.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Rapid heartbeat.

In the early stages of anemia, the symptoms are not clear and there are many symptoms that may be symptoms of pregnancy rather than anemia. Therefore, make sure to get regular blood tests done to check for anemia in the prenatal tests of the child.

Why does anemia occur during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, blood loss occurs due to a drop in hemoglobin levels. Red blood cells are affected in the following ways and cause anemia -

• Not having enough iron in the diet.
• Pregnancy itself is a big reason for this because iron production is necessary to increase the amount of blood in the woman's body. Without iron supplements, it becomes a little difficult to supply blood to the fetus from food alone.

What are the risk factors for anemia during pregnancy?
All pregnant women are at risk of suffering from anemia. This is because they need more iron and folic acid than normal. But the risk of getting it is higher if a woman:

• Is going to give birth to more than one child.
• Has two quick pregnancies.
• Excessive vomiting due to morning sickness.
• Is pregnant in adolescence.
• Eats less iron-rich foods.
• Suffers from anemia before pregnancy.

All pregnant women are at risk of suffering from anemia. This is because they require more iron and folic acid than normal. But the risk of getting it is higher if a woman:

• Is going to give birth to more than one child.
• Has conceived twice in quick succession.
• Has excessive vomiting due to morning sickness.
• Is pregnant in adolescence.
• Eats less iron-rich foods.
• Suffers from anemia before pregnancy.

During pregnancy, a blood test is definitely done in the first prenatal test (Prenatal test). So that the doctor can check whether the woman has anemia or not. Usually the following tests are done in the blood test:

• Hemoglobin test: In this, the amount of hemoglobin is measured. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein found in red blood cells that helps carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues in the body.
• Hematocrit test: This measures the percentage of red blood cells in a blood sample. If a woman's hemoglobin or hematocrit level is lower than normal, she may have iron deficiency anemia. Doctors may order other blood tests to determine if she has an iron deficiency.

Even if a woman is not anemic early in pregnancy, doctors may do more blood tests to check for anemia in the second or third trimester.

(Read more -Which vitamin deficiency causes anemia?)

If you have anemia during pregnancy, iron or folic acid supplements should be taken as needed along with other vitamins. The doctor may also ask you to include iron and folic acid-rich foods in the diet.  Apart from this, after a specific period, the doctor will ask you to get another blood test done so that he can check how much the hemoglobin and hematocrit levels have improved. The doctor may also suggest including animal foods in the diet, such as:

• Meat
• Eggs
• Dairy products

The doctor may also ask for treatment from a hematologist. They are also doctors but they are anemia specialists.

(Read more - Are Vegetarians More Prone to Anemia?)

If severe and iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy is not treated on time, then it can lead to the following risks -

• Birth of a premature or low birth weight baby
• Blood transfusion (if excessive blood is lost during delivery)
• Postpartum depression
• Anemia in the child
• Delayed development in the child.

If anemia caused by folate deficiency is also not treated, then the risk of the following risks can increase -

• Birth of a premature or low birth weight baby
• The child may have serious spinal cord or brain related diseases.
• Untreated vitamin B12 deficiency increases the risk of abnormalities in the neural tube of the child.

To avoid anemia during pregnancy, consume an adequate amount of iron. Eat a balanced diet and include more iron-rich foods in the diet.Eat at least three meals a day and eat iron-rich foods, such as:

• Lean meat, chicken and fish.
• Leafy green vegetables (such as spinach, broccoli).
• Iron-rich cereals.
• Beans, lentils and tofu.
• Nuts and seeds
• Eggs

Foods rich in vitamin C can help the body absorb iron. Some of these are:

• Citrus fruits and juices
• Strawberries (Read more - Benefits of strawberries)
• Kiwi (Read more - Benefits and side effects of kiwi)
• Tomatoes
• Bell peppers

Also, include folate-rich foods in your diet to prevent folate deficiency anemia. Such as:

• Green leafy vegetables
• Citrus fruits and juices
• Dried beans
• Cereals and breads fortified with folic acid.

Follow your doctor's instructions for taking vitamins and folic acid during pregnancy. Vegetarian women should talk to their doctor about the need for vitamin B12 supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Anemia, also known as blood loss, is a common problem during pregnancy. The main reason for this is the lack of iron and other essential nutrients in the body, which are required for the formation of red blood cells. Anemia can cause problems like fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath and weakness. To prevent this, pregnant women should consume iron-rich foods such as spinach, beetroot, pomegranate, pulses, and dry fruits. Along with this, it is also important to take iron supplements prescribed by the doctor. Consumption of fruits rich in vitamin C such as orange and lemon improves iron absorption. Regular checkups and taking care of nutrition helps prevent anemia in pregnancy.