Pregnant women with anemia during pregnancy can be said is a fairly common phenomenon in pregnancy. Causes, symptoms and ways to improve this condition like? Let's find out in this article.
Anemia during pregnancy
Common symptoms of anemia when pregnant women
Fatigue and weakness
Pale skin, lips, and nails
Dizziness
Shortness of breath
Arrhythmic heartbeat
Difficulty concentrating
When is anemia considered pregnant?
During the first few months of pregnancy, pregnant women will have a blood test to let the doctor know if there is anemia or not. A pregnant woman is considered to be pregnant anemia when the hemoglobin (Hb) content is low <11g / dl.
Even if you don't have anemia in the first few months, your doctor will still recommend a blood test in the second and third months.
The cause of pregnancy or anemia
Types of anemia that may be encountered during pregnancy include:
Iron deficiency anemia
This is the most common cause of anemia in pregnant women. They happen when the body doesn't have enough iron to produce enough hemoglobin (Hemoglobin). Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.
In iron-deficiency anemia, the blood cannot carry enough oxygen to tissues throughout the body.
Folate deficiency anemia
This is a lack of folic acid in the blood. Folic acid is a B vitamin that helps the body make red blood cells. Without enough red blood cells, you will become anemic. Foods rich in folic acid are green leafy vegetables, liver, kidneys, mushrooms, wheat germ, ...
Folate deficiency can have direct effects such as birth defects, spina bifida, and low birth weight.
Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia
Our bodies need vitamin B12 to form healthy red blood cells. If the body does not have enough vitamin B12 needed for erythropoiesis and red blood cell differentiation, it will lead to anemia due to not making enough red blood cells.
Which pregnant women are at risk of anemia?
All pregnant women are at risk for anemia. That's because they need more iron and folic acid than usual. But you have a higher risk if in the following cases:
Are pregnant with more than one child (twins, triplets, ...)
Have two pregnancies close together
Vomiting a lot because of morning sickness
Pregnant while still in adolescence
Not eating enough iron-rich foods
Had anemia before pregnancy
Consequences of anemia when pregnant
Increased risk of miscarriage.
Each striker.
Young placenta.
Pregnancy blood pressure.
Preeclampsia.
Premature rupture of the amniotic fluid.
Risk of postpartum haemorrhage, postpartum infection.
Improve the condition of pregnant women with anemia
To control anemia, pregnant gizzards need to actively adjust their diets to meet the needs of energy and nutrients, supplement with iron and folic acid tablets, control intestinal parasitic infections and fever.
Nutrition
Pregnant mothers need to ask a doctor to give the exact cause of anemia, so that there is a reasonable diet. Animal iron is abundant in meats, especially red meat. Plant-based iron is commonly found in green leafy vegetables such as broccoli, radishes, and legumes.
Foods rich in vitamin B12 include: eggs, dairy products, whole grains, meat, fish, ...
In addition, should also enhance the fresh fruits rich in vitamin C after meals such as oranges, grapefruit, dragon fruits, apples ... will help absorb iron better.
To supplement folic acid from nutrition, pregnant mothers can choose:
Dark green leafy vegetables: spinach, lettuce, asparagus ...
Nuts: almonds, walnuts, macca, ...
Citrus fruits
Supplement iron and folic acid in oral form
Due to the high demand for iron and folic acid in pregnant women, but the diet is difficult to meet, WHO recommends that pregnant women take iron and folic acid supplements at a dose of 60 mg elemental iron and 400 mcg acid. folic every day. Iron and folic acid supplements should be taken regularly every day from the time of pregnancy to 1 month after birth.
Anemia is not a dangerous condition and must be worried by pregnant mothers. The key is to balance your nutrition and follow your doctor's advice to fix it early.
See more:
Handbook for pregnant women: 16th week of pregnancy
Recipes eat in children instead of mothers!
9 normal troubles of pregnant mothers