What are the symptoms of anemia in pregnancy?

There are different types of anemia, each with specific causes. Anemia It may also occur during pregnancy. When the number of red blood cells decreases below the normal level, the ability to carry oxygen to the mother’s tissues as well as the fetal organs is disturbed. If you are looking for important and key information about the symptoms, complications and treatment of anemia in pregnancy, go with this article from Humka Health Magazine.

How is anemia during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, the mother’s body increases the volume of circulating blood to support the growing fetus; Therefore, if you do not consume enough iron and vitamins, the production of extra blood will be difficult. Mild anemia is common in pregnancy and is not a serious problem, but if vitamins and minerals, including iron, are low, there is a possibility of severe anemia. Anemia or anemia Constant fatigue and weakness and if it is severe, it can lead to serious pregnancy complications such as Preterm delivery be made Therefore, it is important to get to know the symptoms of pregnancy anemia, its causes, and how to treat it in order to have a healthier pregnancy.

Types of anemia in pregnancy

Several types of anemia are common in pregnancy, the most important of which are as follows:

Iron deficiency anemia

This type of anemia appears when the body cannot produce enough hemoglobin due to not having enough sources of iron. Hemoglobin protein plays an essential role in carrying oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and organs. Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia in pregnant women.

Folic acid deficiency anemia

Folate (its corporate supplements are called folic acid) is one of the B vitamins that occurs naturally in Leafy vegetables There is. Bone marrow needs folate to produce new cells, especially red cells. The required amount of folate during pregnancy is more than normal, but sometimes the body’s folate is not well supplied through the diet.

When this happens, the body will not have enough resources to produce more red cells and supply oxygen to the tissues. For this reason, many pregnant women Folate supplements are folic acid they need. Lack of folate in the body is directly related to fetal defects such as brain and spinal cord problems as well as low birth weight.

Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia

Another vitamin needed by the body to produce red cells is vitamin B12. When a pregnant mother does not have enough of this vitamin in her diet, there is a possibility of reducing the production of red cells and as a result of getting anemia. If pregnant women have enough in their diet Meat, poultry, dairy and eggs Those who do not consume it will be exposed to anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency, and as mentioned, the fetus will also be exposed to developmental defects such as brain and spinal cord problems and premature birth. Loss of blood during or after childbirth is another cause of anemia.

Symptoms of anemia in pregnancy

The most common Symptoms of anemia In pregnancy, it includes the following:

• Pale skin, lips and nails
• Feeling tired and weak
• dizziness
• Asthma
• heart beat
• Confusion and difficulty concentrating

In the initial stages, anemia is mild and clear and tangible symptoms do not appear; Therefore, the best solution for early diagnosis of this complication Pregnancy tests Is.

According to the website webmd All pregnant women are prone to anemia in some way because they need more daily intake of iron and folic acid. However, the risk of developing anemia is higher in the following women:

• Pregnant women who have had multiple pregnancies
• Women who had two pregnancies close together
• Pregnant women who have severe morning vomiting
• Women who become pregnant at a young age
• Women who have a poor diet so that their daily intake of iron and folic acid is not enough to make red cells.
• Women who have a history of anemia

Complications of pregnancy anemia

Severe and untreated anemia during pregnancy increases the risk of developing the following complications:

• Premature birth or low birth weight baby
• The need for a blood transfusion
• The birth of a baby with anemia
• The birth of a baby who is weak in terms of growth

Untreated folate deficiency may lead to one of the following complications:

• Premature birth or low birth weight baby
• The birth of a baby with serious brain and spinal defects

If vitamin B12 deficiency is not treated in pregnant women, there is a possibility of giving birth to a baby with birth defects such as brain and spinal cord problems.

Pregnancy anemia diagnosis tests

In the first pregnancy medical visit, the doctor will prescribe a blood test for you, through which you can find out the anemia of pregnancy. Routine blood tests include:

• Hemoglobin test: At Hb test Blood hemoglobin level is evaluated. Hemoglobin is a protein in red cells that carries oxygen
• Hematocrit test: At HCT test The percentage of red cells in a unit of blood is measured

If your hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are lower than normal, you may have iron deficiency anemia. In such cases, the doctor may prescribe other tests to diagnose the underlying cause of anemia. Even if you did not suffer from anemia in the first trimester, it is very likely that you will have it again in the visits of the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Anemia test It will be prescribed for you

Treatment of anemia of pregnancy

If you are suffering from pregnancy anemia, the doctor will probably prescribe you, in addition to pregnancy multivitamins, Iron and folic acid supplements will also prescribe for you. Also, the doctor warns you to consume food sources rich in iron and folic acid. After prescribing the drugs, you will be asked to return to the office at another time to do the anemia test again and make sure the complication is resolved. If you have vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, your doctor will prescribe vitamin B12 supplements. In addition, it is recommended to include more animal food sources in your diet, including:

• Meat
• egg
• dairy products

In some cases, you may be referred to a hematology specialist or, in other words, a hematology specialist, so that a more accurate evaluation can be performed to treat anemia.

What to eat for anemia in pregnancy?

In order to prevent anemia during pregnancy, it is necessary to ensure that you consume enough nutrients daily. Have a healthy and balanced diet Rich in iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid be The ideal goal in a daily meal plan is to include at least three iron-rich meals in your diet. Food sources rich in iron include the following:

• Low-fat red meat, chicken, fish
• Leafy greens such as spinach, broccoli and kale
• Beans, lentils and tofu
• All kinds of edible nuts and seeds
• egg

foods rich in Vitamin C They help the body absorb more iron through the intestines. Sources rich in vitamin C include:

• Citrus fruits and natural juices
• Strawberry
• Kiwi
• tomato
• sweet pepper

Try to eat vitamin C-rich foods with iron-rich meals to increase iron absorption. For example, at breakfast, you can have a glass of orange juice with iron-enriched breakfast cereal. To prevent anemia caused by folic acid deficiency, you should include food sources of this vitamin in your diet. Food sources rich in folic acid are:

• Leafy vegetables
• Citrus fruits and natural juices
• Breads and cereals enriched with folic acid

Take iron and folic acid supplements daily and regularly as prescribed by your doctor to prevent anemia. Vegetarians and vegans should talk to their doctor about using vitamin B12 supplements. Since the food sources of vitamin B12 are mostly of animal type, a vegetarian diet may cause a deficiency of this vitamin in the body.