Anaemia is a condition where in the body is short of red blood cells. Red blood cells contain haemoglobin and are responsible for carrying oxygen around your body. Anaemia is a common condition during pregnancy since your blood supply is being shared with your baby. Anaemia can disrupt the body’s supply of oxygen.
The main cause of anaemia is the deficiency of iron, vitamin b12 or folic acid. All these elements are essential in producing red blood cells.
Symptoms of Anaemia during pregnancy
- Tiredness and Fatigue
- Dizziness and feeling faint
- Pale skin
- Palpitation
- Headaches
- Breathlessness
It is important to note that, having any of the above symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean that you are anaemic, it could just be because of the pregnancy.
Usually women who are expecting twins or multiple babies, or women who are on a vegetarian diet are at higher risks of anaemia during pregnancy.
How to prevent anaemia during pregnancy?
- First and foremost, you must eat a well balanced diet. Include a lot of iron rich foods such as lean red meat, green leafy vegetables, cereals that are fortified with iron, eggs, apricots, dates and whole meal bread.
- Apart from consuming iron rich foods, you must also consume foods that will help iron absorption within the body. Vitamin C and B 12 help in iron absorption. All citrus fruits and colored vegetables such as pepper are good sources of vitamin C. Vitamin B12 can be found in meat, eggs, dairy products, fish and fortified cereals.
- You must also increase your intake of folic acid. Pregnant women are advised to supplement their diet with 400mg of folic acid each day. Folic acid is essential in the proper growth of your baby as well. It reduces the risk of birth defects such as spinal bifada. Chickpeas, brown rice, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, fortified breakfast cereals, peas and bread are foods that are a high on folate.
- Avoid drinking tea and coffee during pregnancy as this affects the amount of iron your body is able to absorb.
- During pregnancy, it is a good idea to supplement your diet with iron and multivitamin tablets that is suitable for pregnancy. Your doctor will most probably prescribe you with essential medicines.
Treating Anaemia
Your gynecologist will monitor your iron levels throughout your pregnancy so you will not need to worry about your iron levels. However, if your doctor finds out that there is a dip in iron levels in your body, then he or she will ask you to take iron supplements regularly. Iron supplements may cause diarrhea or black stools. This shouldn’t worry you. You will also need to eat an iron-rich diet.
Will anaemia harm my baby?
During pregnancy your body automatically gives preference to the fetus growing inside you. So even if you become a little bit anaemic you don’t have to worry, as your baby will be getting sufficient supply of blood that it needs to grow and develop healthily.
