Anaemia during pregnancy

Iron-deficiency anemia is common in pregnancy. Your blood volume increases by half but your hemoglobin levels often don‘t keep up – so your blood supply is effectively diluted.

Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying part of the red blood cells and your body needs iron to produce it. Since it needs to produce even more hemoglobin to keep up with that rise in blood volume, it follows that you need to take in more iron.

Symptoms of anaemia

You’ll be checked for anemia at your first prenatal appointment and again towards the end of your second trimester (weeks 13-28) or early in your third (weeks 29-40). Mild anemia often causes no symptoms but if you’re more severely affected symptoms include breathlessness, fatigue and headaches. You may also look pale.

Avoiding anemia

The best way to avoid anemia is to eat a well-balanced and healthy diet that includes good sources of iron (such as red meat and leafy green vegetables). Folate also helps your body to manufacture red blood cells but it can be hard to get enough from your diet alone, so it’s recommended that women take a supplement of folic acid (the synthetic version of folate) in pregnancy (in fact you should start taking it before you start trying for a baby as it helps protect against neural tube defects such as spina bifida). See our dietary advice for further information.

Treatment for anemia

It’s recommended that you take a 30mg daily iron supplement in pregnancy and if you’re taking a prenatal vitamin it will likely contain that amount. If you’re found to be anemic your caregiver may prescribe a higher dose supplement – take it with OJ as it’ll make it more easy for your body to absorb the iron. Iron supplements can cause constipation, so increase your fiber intake and drink prune juice to compensate.

Babies can also be anemic – see our article anemia in babies for more information.

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

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