Anemia While Pregnant
Anemia means that red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin in red blood cells is low. Hemoglobin is a protein that carries oxygen to the body and the growing baby.
It’s normal for many women to have mild anemia during pregnancy. But having more severe anemia can also happen.
Symptoms
- Tiredness or weakness
- Paleness. This could be pale skin. It could also be paleness around the gums, eyes, or nailbeds.
- Cravings for unusual things, such as ice, dirt, or laundry starch.
Causes
During pregnancy, the body produces more blood to support the growth of the baby. Without adequate iron and other nutrients, the body might not be able to produce the amount of red blood cells it needs to make this extra blood.
There are three types of anemia that can happen during pregnancy:
- Iron-deficiency
- Folic-acid deficiency
- Vitamin B12
Iron-Deficiency Anemia
This is when there is not enough iron in the blood. It is the most common type of anemia during pregnancy.
There are three main causes of iron-deficiency anemia:
- Not eating enough foods that have iron
- Not absorbing enough of the iron that is eaten
- Losing blood from heavy monthly periods
Pregnant women should get 30 milligrams a day of iron, which is twice as much that is needed when you are not pregnant.
Folic-Acid Deficiency Anemia
Folic-acid deficiency anemia happens when folic acid levels are low. Folic acid is a B-vitamin. You need more than twice as much during pregnancy than at other times.
Pregnant women often don’t get enough folic acid in their diets. A daily prenatal supplement that provides 400-800 milligrams is recommended for women who are pregnant or planning to get pregnant.
Adequate folic acid is also needed to reduce the risk of a baby being born with spina bifida. This is when the spine doesn’t form properly. It also reduces the risk of having a preterm or low birth weight baby.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia
Without adequate amounts of this vitamin from the diet, the body can’t make enough healthy red blood cells. Women who don’t eat meat, poultry, dairy and eggs are at a greater risk of this. Vitamin B12 deficiency may contribute to birth defects, similar to inadequate folic acid.