When you’re pregnant, you may develop anemia. When you have anemia, your blood doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to your tissues and to your baby.
During pregnancy, your body produces more blood to support the growth of your baby. If you’re not getting enough iron or certain other nutrients, your body might not be able to produce the amount of red blood cells it needs to make this additional blood.
It’s normal to have mild anemia when you are pregnant. But you may have more severe anemia from low iron or vitamin levels or from other reasons.
Anemia can leave you feeling tired and weak. If it is severe but goes untreated, it can increase your risk of serious complications like preterm delivery.
Risk Factors for Anemia in Pregnancy
All pregnant women are at risk for becoming anemic. That’s because they need more iron and folic acid than usual. But the risk is higher if you:
- Are pregnant with multiples (more than one child)
- Have had two pregnancies close together
- Vomit a lot because of morning sickness
- Are a pregnant teenager
- Don’t eat enough foods that are rich in iron
- Had anemia before you became pregnant
Risks of Anemia in Pregnancy:
Severe or untreated iron-deficiency anemia during pregnancy can increase your risk of having:
– A preterm or low-birth-weight baby
– A blood transfusion (if you lose a significant amount of blood during delivery)
– Post partum depression
– A baby with anemia
– A child with developmental delays
Untreated folate deficiency can increase your risk of having a:
- Preterm or low-birth-weight baby
- Baby with a serious birth defect of the spine or brain (neural tube defects)
Untreated vitamin B12 deficiency can also raise your risk of having a baby with neural tube defects.
Symptoms of Anemia During Pregnancy:
The most common symptoms of anemia during pregnancy are:
- Pale skin, lips, and nails
- Feeling tired or weak
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid heartbeat
- Trouble concentrating
In the early stages of anemia, you may not have obvious symptoms. And many of the symptoms are ones that you might have while pregnant even if you’re not anemic. So be sure to get routine blood tests to check for anemia at your prenatal appointments.
Tests and treatment for Anemia:
During your first prenatal appointment, you’ll get a blood test so your doctor can check whether you have anemia. Blood tests typically include:
- Hemoglobin test. It measures the amount of hemoglobin — an iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to tissues in the body.
- Hematocrit test. It measures the percentage of red blood cells in a sample of blood.
If you have lower than normal levels of hemoglobin or hematocrit, you may have iron-deficiency anemia. Your doctor may check other blood tests to determine if you have iron deficiency or another cause for your anemia.
Even if you don’t have anemia at the beginning of your pregnancy, your doctor will most likely recommend that you get another blood test to check for anemia in your second or third trimester
Treatment for Anemia
If you are anemic during your pregnancy, you may need to start taking an iron supplement and/or folic acid supplement in addition to your prenatal vitamins. Your doctor may also suggest that you add more foods that are high in iron and folic acid to your diet.
In addition, you’ll be asked to return for another blood test after a specific period of time so your doctor can check that your hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are improving.
To treat vitamin B12 deficiency, your doctor may recommend that you take a vitamin B12 supplement.
The doctor may also recommend that you include more animal foods in your diet, such as:
- meat
- eggs
- dairy products
Your OB may refer you to a hematologist, a doctor who specializes in anemia/ blood issues. The specialist may see you throughout the pregnancy and help your OB manage the anemia.
Preventing Anemia
To prevent anemia during pregnancy, make sure you get enough iron. Eat well-balanced meals and add more foods that are high in iron to your diet.