Anaemia During Pregnancy - 5 Associated Risk Factors

Your body goes through drastic changes when you are pregnant. Your body makes more blood during pregnancy; for instance, prior to pregnancy, your body made approximately 5 litres of blood, but now it produces 7 to 8 litres of it.

Producing excess red blood cells requires haemoglobin, which in turn requires plenty of folate, iron and vitamin B12. If there is a deficiency in any of these requirements, you might develop anaemia.

Types of Anemia During Pregnancy

Several types of anemia can develop during pregnancy. These include:

1. Iron-deficiency anemia
2. Folate-deficiency anemia
3. Vitamin B12 deficiency

Risk Factors

Anaemia is a condition, which is characterized by a lack of red blood cells in the body. The risks of becoming anaemic during pregnancy include:

1. Being extremely fatigued
2. Miscarriages, premature birth, or low birth weight
3. The baby can inherit anaemia from the mother
4. The child can have certain developmental delays
5. Postpartum depression (post-childbirth depression)

Symptoms of Anemia During Pregnancy

The most common symptoms of anemia during pregnancy are:

1. Pale skin, lips, and nails
2. Feeling tired or weak
3. Dizziness
4. Shortness of breath
5. Rapid heartbeat
6. Trouble concentrating

In the early stages of anemia, you may not have obvious symptoms. And many of the symptoms are ones that you might have while pregnant even if you're not anemic. So be sure to get routine blood tests to check for anemia at your prenatal appointments.

How can it be prevented?

To prevent such risks, it is important to implement the proper diet. Here are some dietary tips to prevent anaemia during pregnancy:

1. Consume iron-rich foods: Foods that provide you with the best source of iron are 

• Poultry and eggs
• Dark green and leafy vegetables (for example: spinach, broccoli and kale)
• Seeds and nuts
• Beans and lentils
• Tofu
• Beetroot
• Ripe bananas

2. Don't forget the supplements: Foods are great sources of the nutrients you require, but they may be lacking at times. Ask your doctor for supplements like vitamin, folic acid and iron supplements mostly. Consuming supplements before pregnancy can go a long way in preventing anaemia.

3. Folic acid is important: Folic acid is very important for pregnant women. You must consume 400 milligrams of it to prevent anaemia and birth defects in babies. Foods that are rich in folic acid include:

• Beans
• Muesli
• Broccoli
• Brussel sprouts
• Asparagus

4. Vitamins are crucial: Vitamin C helps in iron absorption which boosts haemoglobin production. Some foods rich in vitamin C include

• Citrus fruits
• Strawberries
• Kiwis
• Tomatoes
• Bell peppers

5. Be vigilant while cooking: Sometimes while cooking foods, the wrong method can strip them of their iron content. So be careful not to fry, boil or stew such foods too much. Certain foods are best consumed raw; read the labels properly if in doubt.

6. Abstain from certain habits: Alcohol, tea, cigarette and coffee hinder iron absorption. So stop consuming them if you are trying to conceive or have conceived. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!