Understanding How Iron Deficiency Affects Your Pregnancy
Experiencing iron deficiency anemia while pregnant can leave you feeling weary and fatigued. It’s crucial to understand the factors that elevate the risk and the associated symptoms, as well as strategies to prevent this condition.
Pregnancy heightens the chances of encountering iron deficiency anemia. This condition arises when there’s an insufficient quantity of robust red blood cells to effectively transport oxygen to the body’s tissues. Learn why anemia occurs during pregnancy and what measures you can take to avert it.
Is it common to have anemia during pregnancy?
Yes, it is common to have mild anemia during pregnancy because the expansion of blood volume is a normal part of pregnancy. Iron deficiency is prevalent in pregnant women, with as many as 52% of expectant mothers in developing countries not meeting their iron requirements. Severe anemia, however, is not typical.
It’s important to note that both mild and severe cases of anemia require treatment to safeguard the well-being of both you and your unborn child.
What are the different types of anemia that can affect pregnant women?
There are over 400 types of anemia, but some are more prevalent during pregnancy. These include:
- Iron-deficiency anemia, which arises due to insufficient iron levels.
- Folate-deficiency anemia, caused by a deficiency in folic acid.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, resulting from inadequate vitamin B12 levels. Related….Vitamin B12 Deficiency, Syptoms & Treatments
Who is more likely to develop anemia during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, blood volume in your body increases by 20% to 30%. This heightened demand for blood means your body requires more iron to produce additional red blood cells. You are at a higher risk of experiencing anemia during pregnancy if you:
- Are expecting multiple babies.
- Have an insufficient iron intake.
- Are undergoing closely spaced pregnancies with minimal intervals.
- Had heavy menstrual bleeding before becoming pregnant.
- Frequently experience vomiting due to morning sickness.
What Triggers Iron Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy?
Your body relies on iron to produce hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells responsible for oxygen transportation to your bodily tissues. During pregnancy, your blood volume escalates, demanding an increased supply of iron. Your body taps into its iron reserves to generate more blood, catering to the oxygen needs of your developing baby. Without adequate iron stores or a sufficient iron intake during pregnancy, iron deficiency anemia could manifest.
How Does Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pregnancy Impact the Baby?
Severe iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy elevates the risk of premature birth, defined as delivery before the 37-week mark of pregnancy completion. It is also linked to low birth weight in babies and postpartum depression. Some studies even suggest an increased likelihood of infant mortality just before or after birth.
What Are the Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy?
Symptoms of anemia include:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
- Headaches
- Paleness or a yellowish complexion
- Shortness of breath
- Cravings for ice or unusual chewing habits (known as pica)
In severe cases, symptoms may also encompass:
- A rapid heartbeat
- Low blood pressure
- Difficulty concentrating
It’s worth noting that anemia symptoms often overlap with typical pregnancy signs. Regardless of whether you experience symptoms, routine blood tests during pregnancy screen for anemia. If you have concerns about fatigue or any other symptoms, don’t hesitate to consult your healthcare provider.
How do doctors diagnose anemia during pregnancy?
Your healthcare provider will assess for anemia during your prenatal check-ups. Typically, it’s detected through a routine blood test. Additional blood tests that may be used to identify anemia include:
- Hemoglobin: This component of blood carries oxygen from the lungs to body tissues.
- Hematocrit: It measures the proportion of red blood cells in a specific amount of blood.
Can you prevent anemia during pregnancy?
Ensuring proper nutrition before pregnancy not only guards against anemia but also enhances your overall nutrient reserves. Maintaining a wholesome and balanced diet before and during pregnancy is essential to sustain adequate levels of iron and other vital nutrients crucial for your growing baby.
Excellent dietary sources of iron encompass:
- Meat, including beef, pork, lamb, liver, and other organ meats.
- Poultry, such as chicken, duck, turkey, especially the dark meat, and liver.
- Fish, including shellfish like clams, mussels, oysters (when fully cooked), sardines, and anchovies. Pregnant women are advised by the FDA to consume 8 to 12 ounces per week of fish with low mercury levels, such as salmon, shrimp, pollock, cod, tilapia, light canned tuna, and catfish. It’s advisable to avoid fish with high mercury content, like Gulf of Mexico tilefish, shark, swordfish, and king mackerel. Also, limit albacore tuna to 6 ounces per week.
- Leafy greens from the cabbage family, such as broccoli, kale, turnip greens, and collards.
- Legumes like lima beans, green peas, dry beans, pinto beans, black-eyed peas, and canned baked beans.
- Yeast-leavened whole-wheat bread and rolls.
- Iron-enriched white bread, pasta, rice, and cereals.
Experts recommend that all women of childbearing age and pregnant women take vitamin supplements containing at least 400 micrograms of folic acid, which is the natural form of folic acid found in food. Excellent dietary sources of folate include:
- Leafy, dark green vegetables.
- Dried beans and peas.
- Citrus fruits, juices, and most berries.
- Fortified breakfast cereals.
- Enriched grain products.
How Is Iron Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy Treated?
If you’re taking a prenatal vitamin containing iron and still experience anemia, your healthcare provider might recommend further tests to explore potential underlying causes. In certain instances, a specialist in blood disorders (hematologist) may be consulted. If iron deficiency is identified as the cause, your healthcare provider may suggest additional iron supplements. Those with a history of gastric bypass surgery, small bowel surgery, or intolerance to oral iron supplements may require intravenous iron administration through a vein-inserted needle.
Key points to remember about anemia in pregnancy:
- Anemia is characterized by insufficient red blood cells.
- There are four types of anemia that can occur during pregnancy: anemia of pregnancy, iron deficiency anemia, vitamin B-12 deficiency, and folate deficiency.
- Anemia may lead to inadequate fetal growth and can result in premature birth or low birth weight.
- Routine blood tests, such as hemoglobin or hematocrit levels, typically identify anemia.
- Treatment varies depending on the type and severity of anemia.
- The best prevention for anemia during pregnancy is maintaining a well-balanced diet.
