Blood in our body serves an important function of supplying oxygen and nutrition to all parts of the body. The blood contains red blood corpuscles that have a protein known as hemoglobin. Hemoglobin helps in carrying oxygen from lungs to all parts of the body for their proper functioning. Iron is needed for production of hemoglobin. When the iron content in hemoglobin is less, oxygen is not efficiently carried to all the body parts, resulting in a decrease in all body functions. This condition is called iron deficiency anemia and is common in pregnant women, due to increase in demand and decrease in intake of dietary iron.
If you are pregnant and experiencing symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, palpitations, and your hands and feet are turning cold, then you may be suffering from iron deficiency anemia.
Understanding iron deficiency anemia
During pregnancy, your body generates more blood to keep a constant supply of oxygen and nutrition to the unborn baby growing inside you. A pregnant woman has almost 30 % more blood than a woman who is not pregnant. For making enough blood the body needs good supply of iron needed to produce hemoglobin which is an important component of blood. If you do not take enough iron rich foods in your diet, it could lead to deficiency of iron. In turn, due to the lack of iron, hemoglobin is not produced by the body, resulting in anemia. To avoid this type of anemia, doctors recommend that pregnant women take 30 mg of iron supplement each day.
Yu may be at risk of developing anemia during pregnancy if you do not eat enough iron rich foods, vomit a lot due to morning sickness, have two pregnancies that occurred close together, have a teenage pregnancy, are pregnant with twins or triplets, and have lost blood due to surgery or injury.
Symptoms
Pregnant women with anemia experience dizziness, fatigue, and irritability. They may be pale to look at and have brittle nails. They may complain of shortness of breath, and cold and numb hands and feet, and tingling sensation in hands and feet. Some women may also have poor appetite, soreness of tongue, and abnormal craving for things like paint, clay, dirt and ice which is known as pica.
Diagnosis
In pregnant women, testing for anemia is a part of antenatal care. It is done during the first prenatal visit by conducting a blood test. The test may be repeated at 28 weeks of pregnancy or whenever the doctor feels the anemia is worsening.
Treatment
To increase the iron levels in the body, the doctor may prescribe iron supplements. These pills have to be taken regularly during the whole term of the pregnancy. It is better to take the iron pills with food as on an empty stomach iron tablets can irritate the stomach. Iron is absorbed better with vitamin C. It is advised that you take orange juice or any citrus juice with iron tablets for better absorption. Milk should not be taken with iron pills as calcium in milk prevents absorption of iron into the body. Be informed that the stools will be dark in color due to iron pills. Some women may have constipation or diarrhea which should be reported to your doctor. In addition to iron tablets, foods rich in iron should be taken. If still the doctor finds that the anemia has worsened, then the doctor will investigate for any underlying health problem.
Prevention
To prevent iron deficiency anemia, pregnant women are advised to take 27 mg of iron daily in addition to the prenatal vitamin they are taking. Foods rich in iron should be included in the diet. Some examples are whole grains, beans, cereals (iron fortified), pastas, breads, black strap molasses, nuts, red meat, liver, pork, and dark green leafy vegetables like broccoli, and spinach. Vitamin C is essential for better absorption of iron, hence it is recommended to include vitamin C rich fruits in your diet like strawberries, melon, kiwi, apricots, mangoes, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, potatoes, and cabbage.
Complications
Iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy, if not corrected, can cause problems like birth of the baby before time or baby born with low body weight. If during surgery, there is loss of blood, then blood transfusion is necessary. Postpartum depression (depression after delivery) in mothers can occur due to anemia. If the infant gets iron deficiency from the mother, then the infant may have growth problems and mental delays. To prevent all these complications, the pregnant mother should take treatment for iron deficiency anemia without delay. Anemia occurs also due to stomach problems, intestinal problems, poor diet, genetic diseases like thalassemia or sickle cell anemia and deficiency of Vitamin C and B that are essential for formation of red blood corpuscles.
Taking care during pregnancy
Pregnancy is the time when your body needs extra nutrition for growth of the fetus. To prevent conditions like iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy, you must eat nutritious foods that are iron fortified and take your iron supplements regularly as advised by the doctor. Remember that a mother who takes good care of her health during pregnancy will give birth to a healthy baby.
