Iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy
Pregnancy is a beautiful and fulfilling journey - it brings
you boundless joy as you welcome your baby into the world! However, there are
certain complications of pregnancy that must be taken care of to prevent and
treat. One of the complications you may experience during your pregnancy is
iron-deficiency anemia which is characterized by a deficiency of vitamin B12.
Let's take a look at what it is before diving into it.
Here is a useful guide on iron deficiency anemia and how to
treat it easily.
What is Iron Deficiency Anemia?
Anemia occurs when your body has the required amount of red
blood cells. These cells are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout your
body. When your iron levels are low, red blood cells are unable to carry oxygen
to your body's tissues.
It is normal to feel anemia during your pregnancy. However,
if it is serious, it can put your baby at risk. When you experience iron
deficiency anemia during your pregnancy, the blood cannot carry the required
amount of oxygen to all your body tissues.
During pregnancy your body experiences a lot of changes
because your heart works a little harder to provide adequate nutrition to the
fetus. This means that your blood volume increases by 30% to 50%. So, what
should you do if your blood volume rises? It is advisable to increase your use
of folic acid and iron.
What causes iron-deficiency anemia?
A common type of anemia during pregnancy is iron deficiency
anemia. This usually happens when you are deficient in iron to make adequate
hemoglobin levels during your pregnancy. Hemoglobin is a protein that is
present in red blood cells. This protein helps red blood cells carry oxygen
from your lungs to other parts of your body.
Symptoms
If you have iron deficiency anemia during your pregnancy,
you will have several symptoms. Below are the signs you need to keep an eye on:
Irregular heartbeat
Exhaustion
Chest pain
Headache
Weakness of breath
Dizziness
Cold hands and feet
Pale or yellow skin
However, these symptoms are similar to some of the symptoms
of your pregnancy. You should not wait for these symptoms to see if you are
experiencing anemia. Blood tests are recommended for low HB testing during
pregnancy. If you are experiencing any fatigue, just like any other issue that
is bothering you, you should consult your doctor and tell them about your
health challenges for a smooth and safe pregnancy.
Diagnosis of anemia
Your doctor will diagnose anemia after conducting a complete
blood test, also known as CBC. It shows the number of different cells that make
up your blood. Here are the details of the tests your doctor will perform to
test for anemia:
1. Blood test
If your doctor finds that your red blood cell count is low
and your hemoglobin is low during pregnancy, your anemia will be diagnosed.
This test is always performed during the first trimester of your pregnancy,
usually when you go to your doctor for an appointment for your pregnancy. Blood
cell counts are tested even if you are 26-weeks pregnant. The test that your
doctor performs to diagnose anemia is also known as the H3 blood test.
2. Test for anemia
Blood tests conducted at your first appointment usually
include the following:
Hemoglobin test: It measures the level of hemoglobin in the blood.
Hematocrit test: The percentage of red blood cells present
in a blood sample is tested.
What is the potential risk of anemia during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, your body changes significantly. This
means you can get anemia, especially if your iron levels are lower than the
recommended amount. However, some people have a higher risk of anemia than
others. So, how do you know if you are more likely to experience anemia during
pregnancy and what your normal hemoglobin levels are during pregnancy?
There are several factors that can cause iron deficiency
anemia in your pregnancy. If you have two pregnancies at the same time or are
pregnant with more than one child, you are at higher risk of anemia. If you are
vomiting due to morning sickness and the frequency is higher than normal, you
may have anemia. Even low iron intake during your pregnancy can cause anemia.
If you have experienced heavy menstrual flow in pre-pregnancy, you have a high
risk of anemia.
Iron deficiency anemia treatment?
You give life to someone, that's why pregnancy is an
important journey. Sometimes, you will face challenges during your pregnancy,
such as iron deficiency anemia. One of the best ways to treat this condition is
through regular nutrition. This will help you when you are pregnant and even
when you are trying to get pregnant. You should eat foods that are high in
iron, as this ensures that your body is getting a great supply of iron. It
helps to reduce the chances of anemia. It is recommended to eat dark colored,
green vegetables, red meat, peanuts, eggs and fortified cereals. Because these
foods contain a lot of iron.
In addition to maintaining an iron-rich diet, you can ask
your doctor to determine if your body is getting the recommended amount of iron
and folic acid, vitamins. During your pregnancy, you need to take at least 26
mg of iron daily. The best way to treat iron deficiency anemia in your
pregnancy is to take this iron supplement.
A good thing to do when you see your doctor before your
first delivery is to ask him or her about the risk of anemia. It is also
advisable to test yourself 4 to 6 weeks after your pregnancy. After the doctor
has analyzed your condition, he or she may refer you to a blood specialist.
How to prevent iron deficiency anemia?
Although you are highly recommended to maintain a balanced
diet during your pregnancy, doctors may also provide you with iron supplements
to help you reduce the amount of iron in your body during your pregnancy.
Iron-containing sulfate supplements (325 mg) should be taken once a day. Iron
requirements during pregnancy are higher than when you were not pregnant, and
iron deficiency in your body can lead to symptoms of severe anemia.
Does anemia affect the baby during pregnancy?
According to research, a mild iron deficiency during your
pregnancy does not affect your baby. However, if you do not treat mild iron
deficiency anemia in time, the condition can become very serious during your
pregnancy. This condition can get worse in the first two trimesters, which is
the most important trimester for your baby's development. If left untreated,
your baby is at risk of being underweight. The most severe cases of iron
deficiency anemia can also lead to stillbirth and neonatal death. You should
have regular checkups, take good amounts of iron and stick to a healthy diet to
prevent anemic effects on your baby's health.
What are the recommended foods to increase the amount of
iron in pregnant women?
One of the best ways to ensure a healthy and happy pregnancy
is to maintain a balanced diet. The food you eat is very important for your
health as well as the health of your baby. Eating junk food like chips, fatty
foods or any kind of packaged food can cause problems during your pregnancy.
Here's how to improve hemoglobin in pregnancy by changing your diet:
Iron-rich foods
The easiest way to maintain healthy hemoglobin levels is to
include iron-rich foods in your diet. Here is a list of some foods to choose
from on your next trip to the supermarket.
Spinach
One of the foods that you can eat during your pregnancy is
spinach. All you have to do is eat half a cup of cooked vegetables. It contains
about 3 mg of iron and contains other vitamins and minerals such as beta
carotene, folate, vitamin C and calcium which are great for your pregnancy. Incorporating
spinach into your diet solves the problems associated with folate-deficiency
anemia.
Iron-containing cereals
What is the best way to supply iron to your body? Choose
cereals made from iron-containing grains. Cold cereals can provide you with about
1.5 mg to 20 mg of iron per serving. On the other hand, hot cereals and oatmeal
give less iron, ranging from 4.5 mg to 8 mg per serving. One of the great
things about iron-containing cereals is that they are also rich in folate and
calcium, which are good for your pregnancy.
Meat
Meat is another good source of iron, providing about 2.8 to
2 milligrams of iron per serving. The reason meat is recommended during
pregnancy is because the iron in the meat is also known as heme-iron, it is
easily absorbed by the body. You should not eat lean meats as they are high in
iron. You can make quick meat dishes with veggies for a healthy and hearty
meal.
Prune juice and dried fruit
Another great food during pregnancy is prune juice. Per 100
grams of prunes juice gives you about 1.2 milligrams of iron. In addition to
iron, this juice is rich in fiber and helps in constipation.
However, if you do not like prunes, you can always choose
dried fruit. Half a cup of dried apricots provides 3.8 milligrams of iron,
dried peaches 4.7 milligrams of iron, prunes 3.7 milligrams of iron and raisins
2.6 milligrams of iron. Dried fruits are high in fiber, which helps you to get
rid of constipation during pregnancy.
Potatoes
Surprisingly, potatoes help reduce iron deficiency during
your pregnancy. Not only are potatoes high in vitamin C and potassium, but they
are also a good source of iron and contain about 2.6 mg of each potato.
Potatoes are rich in vitamin B6 and dietary fiber. You can eat a simple potato
salad or a potato curry for a nutritious meal.
Beans
Beans are a good source of iron, be it red, black or kidney
beans. However, white beans provide a maximum of 3.6 mg of iron per half cup
serving. These iron-rich white beans can be used to make simple, fragrant vegetables
or a hearty soup.
Pumpkin seeds
Feel like chewing something? Drop the packed chips and
indulge in a handful of pumpkin seeds. Because they supply up to 4.1 mg of
iron. These pumpkin seeds can be roasted and preserved and you can eat them
whenever you are hungry. Toasting pumpkin seeds is also a great way to enjoy.
The above foods are all rich in iron and ensure that you get
your daily recommended level of iron during pregnancy. These foods will help
prevent iron deficiency during your pregnancy.
Pregnancy is a memorable journey, something that can put a smile on your face whenever you think of it. However, no pregnancy comes without specific challenges. Iron deficiency anemia is one such challenge. The good news is that this deficiency is easily preventable and you can work on it even after you try to get pregnant. If you are planning to have a baby, your iron levels need to be in good condition. If you are already pregnant, discuss the risks with your doctor and ask them how to maintain the right amount of iron in your body.
Post a Comment