Anemia during pregnancy

Anemia is a fairly common disease, which is characterized by a critical decrease in the level of hemoglobin in the blood. It occurs especially often in women during pregnancy. Since anemia negatively affects not only the health of the woman, but her child, at the first symptoms it is necessary to take action and fight the disease. 

Causes of anemia during pregnancy

From the first weeks of pregnancy, hemoglobin levels change slightly. This happens because the liquid component in the blood becomes more, and the volume of cells cannot grow as intensively. This hydremia is a normal condition during this period, which is not pathological. But it happens that the hemoglobin level decreases over a short period, and very sharply, which is why anemia develops.

This may be caused by the following factors:

• exacerbation of chronic diseases;
• multiple pregnancy;
• deterioration of iron absorption;
• vomiting against the background of toxicosis.

For women expecting the birth of their child, the normal hemoglobin level is 110-140 g/l. If it decreases below the lower critical norm, this indicates the development of anemia.

The consequences of this disease during such a special period for a woman can be the most serious. For the expectant mother, this is fraught with increased toxicosis, decreased immunity, and severe vitamin deficiency. In particularly severe cases, anemia can cause miscarriage, premature birth, or severe postpartum bleeding.

Anemia poses no less a threat to the fetus. It grows and develops more slowly, and in addition, a baby under the age of one year may develop iron deficiency. Such children often get sick, and in about 17% of cases, congenital anomalies begin to appear over time.

Statistics show that in Europe up to 90% of women suffer from this disease. In order to recognize the disease in time and carry out treatment, one cannot ignore alarming symptoms, out of habit attributing them to the state of pregnancy.

Symptoms of anemia during pregnancy

In the initial stage of anemia, signs of the disease are practically not felt. As the disease begins to progress, the following symptoms occur:

• severe irritability;
• fatigue, loss of strength;
• dyspnea;
• headache in the forehead;
• sore throat;
• dizziness;
• constant thirst;
• poor appetite;
• fainting.

In addition, anemia is accompanied by deterioration of the skin, hair, nails, and the appearance of edema. Sometimes there are heart murmurs, peeling skin, and dental problems. In some cases, symptoms such as urinary incontinence and pain during urination appear. By the way, unusual taste combinations of expectant mothers (there is a desire to eat a piece of chalk or raw potatoes) are also a manifestation of anemia.

Treatment of anemia during pregnancy

In the fight against anemia, proper nutrition plays an important role. First of all, these are offal and meat, as well as other foods high in iron. But nutrition alone will not be enough. The doctor prescribes special vitamin complexes and medications for pregnant women that help restore iron levels.

Also, these medications should contain substances that promote their rapid absorption: amber and folic acid, ascorbic acid, fructose. It is best to take iron supplements during meals. When undergoing a course of treatment, it is not advisable to take almagel, as well as antibiotics of the tetracycline group.

During treatment, do not forget that taking medications should not be stopped immediately after improvement occurs. Since bearing a child is a serious burden on the body, a relapse may occur, and you need to continue taking it for some time.

Traditional medicine advises additionally taking juices of radish, beets and carrots, mixed in equal proportions. The mixture should be taken one tablespoon before meals, the course of treatment is 3 months.

In the most severe situations, when there are several days left before delivery and the hemoglobin level does not rise above 55 g/l, a blood transfusion (transfusion of red blood cells) may be prescribed. This is a very serious measure that is used only in extreme cases.

Prevention of anemia during pregnancy

Since anemia is quite common, it is necessary to begin its prevention when planning a child. It is best to consult a doctor who will prescribe the necessary tests and select medications that increase iron levels in the blood.

In addition, you need to pay attention to your diet. The number one product for anemia is meat; it is from it that iron is absorbed best. It is necessary to include more vegetables and fruits, eggs, herbs, and pomegranate juice in the menu. In total, during pregnancy, the body should receive at least 27 mg of iron per day.

At the same time, we must not forget that the body must receive sufficient amounts of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. To provide protein, expectant mothers can consume (of course, in the absence of allergies) foods such as chicken eggs, cow's milk, and boiled tongue. Cream, cheese and cottage cheese will help saturate the body with fats, and to obtain carbohydrates it is useful to eat porridge, nuts, dried fruits, and wholemeal bread.

So it is quite possible to overcome anemia. The main thing is not to start this disease and follow all the doctor’s recommendations.