Pregnant mothers need to early detect pregnancy shortages so that they can be overcome promptly. The diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia is done through periodic tests at 12 weeks or 20 weeks. If there is anemia, pregnant mothers should not worry. There should be a reasonable diet, full of nutrients, regular sleep, away from coffee and stimulants.
What is anemia?
Anemia is when there are not enough red blood cells in the blood. This results in people with anemia having too little oxygen going into the brain, muscles and elsewhere.
A person with mild anemia will feel a bit tired.
A person with severe anemia will feel like suffocating, having trouble breathing, breathing heavily and will feel weak, dizzy, irritable and find it difficult to concentrate. Heart beat like a sprint.
Many pregnant women will experience mild anemia.
Why are pregnant women anemia?
Anemia during pregnancy
The main reason is that a woman's body changes during pregnancy to take care of the growing child.
One change is that women make more blood when they are pregnant. The average woman will have about 5 liters of blood when she is not pregnant, but will have between 7 and 8 liters of blood in her body during pregnancy.
Therefore, to make red blood cells requires more iron, vitamin B12 and folate to produce enough additional hemoglobin needed for the body of pregnant women. Unfortunately, iron is difficult to absorb, making hemoglobin production difficult. Therefore, many women experience anemia during pregnancy unless they take iron supplements.
What are tests for anemia?
When the first antenatal check-up is done, the doctor will let the pregnant mother check the amount of blood. This blood count indicates whether or not there is enough hemoglobin and enough red blood cells. Any abnormality in these tests the doctor will perform other tests such as:
Amount of iron
Vitamin B12 and folate levels
Genetic testing for genetic disorders such as thalassemia
What are the risks if a pregnant woman has anemia?
If the pregnant mother becomes anemic during pregnancy, it will make the pregnant mother even more tired than expected.
If the anemia is severe, the amount of amniotic fluid around the baby can be reduced. There is also a higher risk of miscarriage, a baby born too early or having a low birth weight. Babies born to anemic mothers also have a very high risk of anemia, low birth weight, premature birth, fetal failure or more risk of other neonatal diseases than normal babies. And the fetus is also developing slowly in the womb.
If a woman develops anemia during pregnancy and loses a lot of blood during childbirth, she may need a blood transfusion around the time of delivery, otherwise the life-threatening risk is unavoidable.
How to avoid anemia during pregnancy?
There are three good ways to avoid anemia during pregnancy.
start the journey of pregnancy in good health
eat enough, right during pregnancy
Take vitamins, iron, and folate supplements as prescribed by your doctor
Begins pregnancy in good health
If you are thinking of getting pregnant, you should see your doctor and do a physical exam. At this point, you'll receive advice about anemia and other conditions, and especially about folate supplements.
Women should take a folic acid supplement for at least one month before becoming pregnant and continue this for at least the first three months. This will help prevent anemia, and will also reduce the risk of neural tube defects like spina bifida.
The standard dose is 0.5mg of folic acid per day, but the dose may be higher for women with diabetes, epilepsy, overweight, or a child with a neural tube defect. This should be discussed with a doctor.
Eat well during pregnancy
Eating a healthy diet protects against anemia.
Iron is found in iron-fortified meats, breads and cereals, eggs, spinach, and dried fruit.
Vitamin B12 is found in meat, fish, shellfish, eggs and dairy products.
High levels of folate are found in green leafy vegetables, beans, muesli, broccoli, beef, Brussels sprouts and asparagus Eating a diet rich in these foods will help prevent anemia.
Vegetarian women can replace animal foods with lentils, beans, tofu, eggs and soy milk. Advice from a doctor or dietitian is suggested, and vitamin B12 supplements may be recommended.
Eat plenty of citrus fruits, and avoid tea and coffee, which can help you absorb the iron in your food, and may help prevent anemia.
Supplementary medicine for pregnant
All pregnant women in particular and women in general will be advised to take folate supplements, as well as eat foods rich in folate. Many women will be advised to take iron supplements.
Vegetarians may be advised to take vitamin B12 supplements. If you are advised to take supplements, talk to your doctor about the best ways to use them, and how to avoid any possible side effects.
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