Anemia is one of the pathological conditions in which there is a decrease in the number of red blood cells, and anemia during pregnancy is identified through routine pregnancy examinations. Hemoglobin is one of the main proteins in red blood cells. It carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body and helps remove carbon dioxide.

Non-pregnant women are anemic when the number of red blood cells is less than 12 milligrams per 100 cubic centimeter, while pregnant women are anemic when the number of red blood cells is less than 10-11 milligrams per 100 cubic centimeter.

Symptoms of anemia during pregnancy

Symptoms of anemia differ from one woman to another, and some women may not show any symptoms while others may have symptoms, as follows:

Tired.

Vertigo.

Shortness of breath.

Tachycardia.

Paleness in the face.

Causes and risk factors for anemia during pregnancy

Causes of anemia during pregnancy include

Increased blood fluidity

During pregnancy, the mother''s blood volume increases by 50%, due to an increase in the volume of the blood fluid (plasma), which leads to a decrease in the concentration of red cells. The anemia resulting from this cause is medically unimportant because the red blood cells increase.

Iron deficiency

Iron is necessary for the production of hemoglobin in red blood cells, and a woman’s body contains about 2 grams of iron, or nearly two-thirds of the amount of iron present in red cells, while a quarter is stored in a protein called Ferritin, while the rest of the iron is found in muscles and enzymes. .

A normal pregnancy requires one gram of iron, of which half a gram is used to produce new red cells, and a third of a gram is used for the fetus and placenta, and the rest is lost through the skin, feces, urine and bleeding at the time of birth.

Milk production during lactation also requires iron, and the amount of iron required during pregnancy is greater than the amount in the diet. In order to secure a sufficient amount of iron, a diet containing 800 calories per day is required. Therefore, the process of childbirth and breastfeeding may lead to iron deficiency.

other reasons

They include low levels of folic acid and low levels of vitamin B12.

Complications of anemia during pregnancy

In addition to the symptoms that anemia may cause during pregnancy, in some cases it may cause premature birth.

Diagnosis of anemia during pregnancy

The doctor sets certain appointments to check the blood levels of the pregnant woman to diagnose anemia.

Treating anemia during pregnancy

Treatment for anemia of pregnancy is determined according to its causes and severity. Treatment may include the following:

add iron

The usual treatment for anemia is by taking iron supplements, starting from the second trimester of pregnancy, and the supplements can be taken several times a day.

Side effects of iron supplements include nausea, constipation, and stool discoloration. Optimum absorption of iron is achieved when taken at least half an hour before a meal.

The need for iron increases during pregnancy and reaches about 7 milligrams per day. The quality of absorption in the intestine increases during pregnancy, and it also increases in an acidic environment. Therefore, citrus juice containing vitamin C improves iron absorption.

Take folic acid

Folic acid is one of the essential vitamins in the process of producing red blood cells, and it is found in leafy vegetables, liver, and pistachios.

The need for folic acid increases during pregnancy, while its absorption in the intestine decreases. Therefore, it is preferable to add it during pregnancy.

Most iron supplements contain folic acid, and it is preferable to start taking it three months before the planned pregnancy. Because its presence in the blood at a high rate reduces fetal deformities.

Prevention of anemia during pregnancy

Anemia during pregnancy can be prevented by the following

Follow a balanced diet

This is before and during pregnancy and lactation, as this helps to prevent and avoid anemia, and also helps to mobilize iron stores in the body.

Many foods contain iron, such as the following

liver.

meat.

fish.

cabbage.

legumes.

Whole wheat products.

Take iron and folic acid supplements

And in quantities according to the doctor’s recommendations, and women who suffer from anemia should continue taking the supplement for several additional months even after the return of hemoglobin to a normal level.