Pregnancy
Updated on 4 April 2023
Medically Reviewed by
Dr. Vani Puri
Obstetrician- Gynecologist, Infertility Specialist - MBBS| DGO, DNB
View Profile
Iron is a vital nutrient that plays a crucial role in forming healthy red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout your body. During pregnancy, your body needs extra iron to support the increased blood volume and provide adequate oxygen to your growing baby.
By incorporating iron-rich foods such as leafy green vegetables, red meat, poultry, fish, beans, and fortified cereals in your diet and taking prenatal supplements as prescribed by your doctor, you can ensure that you have the right amount of iron to become an "iron woman" during pregnancy. With a healthy iron intake, you can feel more robust, more energized, and better equipped to handle the demands of pregnancy and childbirth.
Getting the right amount of iron during pregnancy can help prevent Anemia, a condition in which you have low levels of red blood cells or haemoglobin, which can lead to fatigue, weakness, and other health issues. Maintaining healthy iron levels can boost your energy levels, improve your immune system, and reduce your risk of complications during pregnancy, such as preterm delivery and low birth weight.
The symptoms of Anemia during pregnancy can vary from mild to severe and may include the following:
Feeling tired or weak is a common symptom of Anemia, as your body is not getting enough oxygen to fuel your cells.
Anemia can cause a loss of colour in your skin, making it look pale or yellowish.
Your body needs oxygen to function correctly, and Anemia can make breathing difficult, especially during physical activity.
Anemia can cause your heart to work harder to supply oxygen to your body, leading to a faster or irregular heartbeat.
Anemia can cause headaches or migraines due to a lack of oxygen in the brain.
Anemia can cause a drop in blood pressure, making you feel dizzy or faint.
Anemia can cause a decrease in circulation, which can make your hands and feet feel cold.
Anemia can cause a sensation of crawling or tingling in the legs, making it difficult to fall asleep.
Also read: Prunes During Pregnancy: Benefits & Risks
Several types of Anemia can occur during pregnancy. Some of the most common types include:
This is the most common type of Anemia during pregnancy. It occurs when your body doesn't have enough iron to produce haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Iron deficiency Anemia can cause fatigue, weakness, pale skin, and shortness of breath.
Folate, also known as folic acid, is a B vitamin essential for producing red blood cells. Folate deficiency Anemia can occur when you don't get enough folate in your diet, or your body has trouble absorbing it. Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, irritability, and a sore tongue.
Vitamin B12 is another essential nutrient necessary for producing red blood cells. Vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia can occur when you don't get enough of this vitamin in your diet or if your body has trouble absorbing it. Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, tingling or numbness in the hands and feet, and difficulty walking.
It occurs when your body destroys red blood cells faster than it can produce them. Various factors, including certain medications, infections, or autoimmune disorders, can cause Hemolytic Anemia. Symptoms include fatigue, jaundice, and an enlarged spleen. It's important to talk to your healthcare provider if you experience any symptoms of Anemia during pregnancy, as untreated Anemia can increase your risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
The treatment of Anemia during pregnancy depends on the condition's underlying cause. In general, treatment may include the following:
If you have iron-deficiency Anemia, your healthcare provider may recommend iron supplements to help boost your iron levels. Iron supplements are typically taken in the form of tablets or capsules.
If you have folate-deficiency Anemia, your healthcare provider may recommend folic acid supplements to help boost your folate levels.
You may also like: Top 5 Supplements That You Need to Take During Pregnancy
If you have vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia, your healthcare provider may recommend vitamin B12 injections or supplements to help boost your B12 levels.
In severe cases of Anemia, a blood transfusion may be necessary to replenish your red blood cells.
Besides supplements, your healthcare provider may recommend dietary changes to help boost your iron, folate, or vitamin B12 levels. This may include eating more iron-rich foods like leafy green vegetables, red meat, poultry, fish, beans, and fortified cereals.
If your Anemia is caused by an underlying condition, such as an autoimmune disorder, your healthcare provider will also treat that condition to help improve your Anemia.
Several Indian recipes are rich in iron. Here are some examples:
Iron is one of the crucial nutrients that are required during pregnancy to maintain health of baby and mother both. Expected mothers should not skip their supplements and must take them on time. Apart from supplements diet should also be rich in vital nutrients to meet the increasing demands during pregnancy.
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Medically Reviewed by
Dr. Vani Puri
Obstetrician- Gynecologist, Infertility Specialist - MBBS| DGO, DNB
View Profile
Written by
Ravish Goyal
Official account of Mylo Editor
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