All you need to know about anemia in Pregnancy – Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
As a pregnant woman, are you feeling drained and weak all the time? Excessive fatigue, lethargy, loss of appetite may all be symptoms of Anemia in Pregnancy. This condition, if left untreated may result in different complications and may lead to premature birth, low birth weight of your child. But don’t worry, anemia in pregnancy is quite common especially in the second and third trimesters of your pregnancy and it is quite easily remedied.
What is anemia?
Anemia is a condition when the number of Red Blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood is less than required. Having fewer red blood cells, defective or premature RBCs in circulation, and low hemoglobin, affects the capability of blood to carry oxygen adequately to different body tissues. This will also have an effect on how cells work in nerves and muscles.
Pregnant women are generally at an increased risk of anemia because the body needs to supply oxygen to the baby as well. Also in pregnancy, the volume of RBCs increases by 20%, and to meet the new production of RBCs, the body utilizes the iron stores, and hence, they need to be supplemented. If the existing iron stores are already deficient, the RBCs produced are smaller in size, with less oxygen-carrying capacity leading to anemia.
Why is this caused?
There are many different reasons that may result in anemia during pregnancy but the most common ones are:
- Twin pregnancy
- Getting pregnant soon after a previous pregnancy
- Heavy menstrual flows
- History of anemia before pregnancy
- Iron deficiency
Among all these, anemia due to iron deficiency is the most common and this usually happens because pregnant women aren’t getting enough minerals from their diet. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, an iron-rich protein that supplies oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Without sufficient iron, the production of red blood cells slows down resulting in scarcity of oxygen supply to different body tissues.
Other reasons may also include:
- Vitamin b12 deficiency
- Worm infestation during pregnancy
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Genetic Factor
Symptoms:
There are different symptoms that can identify anemia in pregnancy. The most common ones are:
- Fatigue
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Breathlessness
- Rapid Heart Beat
- Pale skin
- Dizziness
Usually, many symptoms are mistaken for general symptoms of pregnancy and are neglected. That is why regular antenatal checkups are recommended for pregnant women to identify any underlying conditions and start treatment as early as possible to foster the healthy development of the baby and mother.
How is Anemia in pregnancy diagnosed?
Pregnancy is usually diagnosed in simple blood tests like CBC. These tests are periodically conducted during prenatal checkups by your doctor and that is why they are very important.
How is Anemia during pregnancy treated?
Treatment for pregnancy in anemia differs based on the severity of deficiency. When hemoglobin level is above 8, oral iron medication and vitamin B12 injection are given and when the levels are below 7, depending on the delivery date if it is near or far away, iron injections or blood transfusion are needed.
We at Zoi, believe early and regular check-ups are the key to treat anemia in pregnancy. In the Gynecology and Obstetrics department at Zoi, each of our doctors is an expert in a specific area, which means that you will always receive specialized care and treatment in both general and specialty care. The department is strengthened by its allied branches Prenatal Education and Yoga, Nutrition, Neonatal ICU, Pediatric Care, Critical care ICU, Radiology and Urology. Since our inception, we developed by listening to our patients and making available what they are in need of. We are available 24 x 7. Our team of 6 obstetricians is one of the best in Hyderabad working relentlessly to provide the best pregnancy experience to women.
