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Anemia |
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Anemia is a low level of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood. Red blood cells and hemoglobin are required for carrying oxygen to your body’s cells.
During normal pregnancy, liquid blood increases by approximately 50%, while blood cells increase by only 30%, resulting in a physiologic anemia. If you are anemic before you become pregnant, this normal change may result in your blood count becoming too low.
If untreated, anemia in pregnancy may increase the risk of preterm delivery, low birth weight, and poor iron status in your baby. It may also increase your risk of infection after childbirth.
Anemia in pregnancy may be prevented with appropriate prenatal care and can be easily treated. Contact your healthcare practitioner when you learn you are pregnant and at any time during your pregnancy if you think you have anemia.
The most common cause of anemia in pregnancy is a low level of iron, the mineral responsible for making hemoglobin. During pregnancy, your iron requirements increase from 15 milligrams (mg) per day to 30 mg per day as your blood volume increases. If this need is not met or if your iron stores are depleted, you may develop anemia.
Other less common causes of anemia in pregnancy:
The following factors increase your chance of developing anemia in pregnancy:
If you have any of these risk factors, tell your healthcare provider.
Anemia might not cause any symptoms. If symptoms do occur they may include the following:
Your practitioner will test your blood for anemia at your first prenatal visit and again late in the second trimester or early in the third trimester.
Your practitioner will look at the following:
The treatment for anemia in pregnancy depends on the cause of the anemia. Dietary changes are not always sufficient. Treatment options include:
Do the following to help reduce your chances of getting anemia during pregnancy:
During normal pregnancy, liquid blood increases by approximately 50%, while blood cells increase by only 30%, resulting in a physiologic anemia. If you are anemic before you become pregnant, this normal change may result in your blood count becoming too low.
If untreated, anemia in pregnancy may increase the risk of preterm delivery, low birth weight, and poor iron status in your baby. It may also increase your risk of infection after childbirth.
Anemia in pregnancy may be prevented with appropriate prenatal care and can be easily treated. Contact your healthcare practitioner when you learn you are pregnant and at any time during your pregnancy if you think you have anemia.
Causes
The most common cause of anemia in pregnancy is a low level of iron, the mineral responsible for making hemoglobin. During pregnancy, your iron requirements increase from 15 milligrams (mg) per day to 30 mg per day as your blood volume increases. If this need is not met or if your iron stores are depleted, you may develop anemia.
Other less common causes of anemia in pregnancy:
- Deficiency of folic acid or vitamin B12, the vitamins responsible for producing red blood cells
- Loss of blood due to injury, bleeding ulcer, or bleeding hemorrhoids
- Hemaglobinopaties (abnormalities in the genes for the hemaglobin protein that result in less or poorly functioning hemaglobin)
Risk factors
The following factors increase your chance of developing anemia in pregnancy:
- Anemia before pregnancy
- Very heavy menstrual flow before pregnancy
- Morning sickness with frequent vomiting
- Pregnancies that are close together
- Carrying twins or multiples
- A diet that is low in iron
If you have any of these risk factors, tell your healthcare provider.
Symptoms
Anemia might not cause any symptoms. If symptoms do occur they may include the following:
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Dizzy spells
- Pale skin, especially the palms of the hands, lips, nails, and eyelids
- Rapid heartbeat
- Heart palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Cravings for nonfood items like clay, ice, and paper (this condition is called pica)
Diagnosis
Your practitioner will test your blood for anemia at your first prenatal visit and again late in the second trimester or early in the third trimester.
Your practitioner will look at the following:
- Hematocrit level – the percentage of red blood cells in your blood
- Hemoglobin level – the amount of hemoglobin in your blood
Treatment
The treatment for anemia in pregnancy depends on the cause of the anemia. Dietary changes are not always sufficient. Treatment options include:
- Iron supplementation: Your practitioner may prescribe an iron supplement of 60 to 120 mg of iron per day. For best results, take iron supplements on an empty stomach.
- Foods rich in vitamin C: Foods like oranges and other citrus fruits will help your body absorb iron.
- Coffee, tea, milk, and calcium supplements: All of these can block absorption of iron so avoid consuming these at the same time as your iron supplement.
- Iron supplements may cause constipation and/or nausea: If your iron supplement causes constipation, try increasing your fluid and fiber intake.
- If your iron supplement causes an upset stomach: Your practitioner may advise that you take it with food or may prescribe a different formula.
- Folic acid or vitamin B12 supplementation: If a folic acid or vitamin B12 deficiency is causing your anemia, your practitioner may prescribe a vitamin supplement.
Prevention
Do the following to help reduce your chances of getting anemia during pregnancy:
- Seek early prenatal care.
- Take a prenatal vitamin containing 30 mg of iron, as prescribed by your practitioner, from the beginning of pregnancy.
- Eat foods that are high in iron, including red meat, poultry, pork, shellfish, beans, iron-fortified breads and cereals, dried fruits, and leafy green vegetables.
- Eat foods that contain folic acid, including whole grains, wheat germ, broccoli, beans, orange juice, and leafy green vegetables.
- Alternative Therapies
- Diet and Exercise
- Fetal Development by Trimester
- Possible Prenatal Complications
- Prenatal Care
- Prenatal Testing
- Weight Gain
