How to prevent and treat iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women

Iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy is one of the common conditions of pregnant women. During pregnancy, the demand for iron and folic acid in women is greatly increased compared to normal, to supply the body and fetus. Therefore, if you do not add the necessary amount of nutrients, pregnant women are prone to anemia, affecting the health of mothers and babies.

Causes of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy

Pregnant women with iron deficiency due to the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood in the mother can drop very suddenly due to the growth needs of the baby. Low hemoglobin concentration during pregnancy is the cause of anemia in pregnant mothers

Low iron diet. A strict diet, or just eating low-energy foods, can lead to iron deficiency and anemia in pregnant women .

Pregnant women who are underweight when they start pregnancy or pregnant women are at a higher risk of anemia than other pregnant women.

Blood loss types such as threatened miscarriage, prenatal hemorrhage or other types of bleeding can all be the cause of anemia.

The risk of pregnant women with iron deficiency, anemia is higher if pregnant with multiple pregnancies.

Time to replenish iron reserves will not be enough if this pregnancy is too close to the previous miscarriage.

Chronic blood-related diseases also cause anemia.

Symptoms and effects of iron deficiency anemia pregnant women

- When pregnant women are anemic due to iron deficiency, the blood test results show that hemoglobin (Hb) is below 10.5g / dl, ferritin serum below 30g / dl, transferrin saturation below 20%.

- When iron deficiency anemia, pregnant women often show signs of fatigue, hard work concentrating, sometimes dizziness. More severe are headaches, shortness of breath during exertion, reduced productivity, blue skin, or dizziness, pale eye mucosa ... and increased risk of complications and risks at birth.

- Iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm birth, miscarriage , stillbirth ... In addition, it also increases the risk of fetal malformations.

How to treat iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy

Screening for anemia at first antenatal visit

During the first trimester antenatal visit, take blood and determine the concentration of hemoglobin and ferritin.

At the follow-up visits, mothers need to determine the concentration of hemoglobin. If no iron supplement is required, consult an additional medical review. If hemoglobin levels are normal during that stage of pregnancy, reduce your iron supplement dosage to 30 mg per day.

NOTE: People with darker skin typically have a hemoglobin concentration of 0.8 mg lower than others.

Screening at the next prenatal visit

During the second trimester, mothers should have blood tests and determine serum ferritin levels. Although serum ferritin concentrations decrease during this period, the measurement may be useful in assisting in the analysis of hemoglobin values.

In the third trimester, mothers need to take a blood sample and determine the concentration of hemoglobin.

Screening women at high risk of postpartum anemia

Women are at high risk of iron deficiency anemia 4 to 6 weeks after giving birth. Risk factors for anemia such as excessive blood loss during childbirth or having many children. Take a blood sample and determine the hemoglobin concentration. Analyze the results with the same criteria as for non-pregnant women.

Prevention of iron deficiency during pregnancy

Use iron tablets before the intention of becoming pregnant for 3 months and during pregnancy as directed by an obstetrician. Periodic pregnancy check-up to know the health status of the body and fetus.

Make sure to eat well and pay attention to eating foods high in iron:

Foods high in iron: beef, lean meat, egg yolks, clams, broccoli, spinach, pumpkins, noodles, cereals, breads, nuts, bananas, grapes, sugarcane. ..To enhance the absorption of iron, should cook food in a cast iron pan, avoid drinking coffee or tea with meals.

Besides, you should eat foods rich in vitamin C such as strawberries, oranges with iron-rich plants such as spinach, broccoli ... The snack should include shredded coconut, nuts, raisins. and date. Because vitamins help with better iron absorption.

see more

Anemia pregnant - you get all the consequences after giving birth!

Iron and folic acid supplementation before pregnancy to reduce the risk of pregnancy complications

Iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women, careful pregnancy results