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McKesson Clinical Reference Systems: Women's Health Advisor 2002.2
Anemia during Pregnancy
What is anemia during pregnancy?
Anemia is an abnormally low level of red blood cells and
hemoglobin in the blood. It is common during pregnancy.
It is important for your health care provider to check for
anemia. Severe anemia when you are pregnant may slow your
baby's growth or result in a premature delivery. Also,
because you are weaker, you will not recover as quickly from
bleeding, infections, or other possible complications of
delivery.
If you bleed heavily at delivery or you need to have a
cesarean section, anemia may make it more likely that you
will need a blood transfusion. Having a transfusion
increases your risk of infection and other problems caused
by transfusions.
How does it occur?
Most anemia during pregnancy results from an increased need
for iron. You need more iron because your body is making
more blood. Often your diet alone does not provide enough
iron to meet your needs. Also, the growing baby takes all
the iron it needs from you, regardless of how much you have
in your system.
Sometimes anemia during pregnancy is caused by a lack of one
of the B vitamins and folic acid.
What are the symptoms?
Your symptoms may not be obvious. Or you may think your
symptoms are normal symptoms of pregnancy.
Symptoms of anemia include:
- tiring easily
- weakness
- pale skin, gums, eyes, and nailbeds
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- shortness of breath
- headache
- lightheadedness
- cravings for starch or ice (a symptom called pica).
How is it diagnosed?
A sample of your blood will be tested to see if you have
anemia and if so, what is causing it.
How is it treated?
Anemia caused by lack of iron is usually treated with iron
tablets. Vitamin deficiencies are treated with vitamin
supplements. If you are still anemic even though you are
taking supplements, your health care provider may give you
iron or vitamins by injection.
How can I take care of myself?
Follow your health care provider's orders, don't drink or
smoke, and take medicines and vitamins as prescribed.
Iron tablets may cause constipation or upset your stomach.
If you have these problems, it may help to:
- Drink more fluids.
- Eat more high-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables,
cereals, and whole grains (whole grains include wheat,
oats, corn, and rice).
- Take your pills at mealtime.
Iron can make your bowel movements very dark or even black
in color. If your bowel movements are very dark, don't be
concerned. It is not harmful.
What can I do to prevent anemia during pregnancy?
- Take vitamin pills with iron as prescribed by your health
care provider throughout your pregnancy.
- Don't take iron pills with milk because it may prevent
the iron from being absorbed.
- Eat foods high in iron and vitamin C. (Vitamin C helps
your body absorb iron.) Often, foods that are high in
iron are also good sources of folic acid. Foods that are
high in iron include:
- liver, kidney, and red meat
- dried beans
- leafy green vegetables
- dried fruits such as raisins, prunes, and apricots
- prune juice
- bread, pasta, cereal, and other foods made from
fortified, enriched, or whole grains.
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