During pregnancy, anemia is a common condition that affects many women. The mother's body needs more iron to produce more red blood cells and thus provide enough oxygen to the growing fetus and the mother's tissues. However, if the mother does not consume enough iron through her diet, the body may deplete its reserves and produce fewer healthy red blood cells, resulting in anemia.
Symptoms of anemia during pregnancy include fatigue, weakness, dizziness, palpitations, pale skin, and shortness of breath, which can be especially severe during the third trimester of pregnancy. Additionally, anemia can also increase the risk of premature delivery and low birth weight.
It is important to know how to prevent and treat anemia during pregnancy to ensure a healthy pregnancy for both the mother and the baby. Today, we will explore the causes and risk factors of anemia during pregnancy, as well as treatment options, including dietary changes, iron supplements, and blood transfusions in severe cases. Join us on this journey of discovery about anemia and pregnancy, guided by our expert, Dr. Edith Maria Ramos Reyes!
Anemia is one of the common complications that can affect pregnancy, and it is caused by a decrease in hemoglobin levels below normal parameters. Iron is essential for the production of hemoglobin, which is the protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen to other cells. It's important to mention that during pregnancy, the amount of blood in the body increases by up to 50% more than usual. Therefore, the body needs more iron to produce more hemoglobin for all that additional blood that will be supplied to the baby and placenta.
The recommended iron dosage is 30 mg per day, which is more than 30% of the dose typically prescribed. To absorb the maximum amount of iron possible, it's best to take it on an empty stomach. It should not be taken with a calcium supplement as it hinders absorption.
Anemia can be classified as:
Anemia can make you feel tired and fatigued, as well as cause pallor (pale skin) and a fast heart rate. This is because there are fewer red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body, so the heart has to work harder to make up for it. Anemia doesn't have specific symptoms, and it can only be detected through laboratory tests. Therefore, it's crucial to have proper prenatal care to detect and treat anemia in time
Close monitoring and care during pregnancy is a high priority. At Ingenes, we are committed not only to performing the necessary procedures to achieve pregnancy but also accompanying patients from the moment their pregnancy test is positive until they successfully have their baby at home. That's why we have the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit, which is compromised of a group of expert doctors in the monitoring, detection, prevention, and timely treatment of risks during pregnancy. The Ingenes Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit has over a decade of experience and has attended to more than 15,000 pregnancies that have successfully resulted in a healthy baby at home.
Take care of your health and your baby's! Make sure to undergo the necessary tests to rule out the risk of anemia during your pregnancy.
