How Do I Tackle Anaemia During Pregnancy

Anaemia is medical condition wherein there are inadequate red blood cells in the body due to reduction in their production or short span of life of the existing cells. This affects the smoothly running oxygen-carrying ability of the blood to the different parts of the body, which results in unnatural tiredness along with many such abnormal symptoms of anaemia.

The bone marrow is the generator of the red blood cells in the body from where they spread throughout the body via the blood. The new red blood cells actually have the life span of around 120 days after which they die stimulating the requirement of new red blood cells. In the process of generating new red blood cells, with other constituents, there is a need of three vital nutrients namely, iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid. A shortage of any of these nutrients in the body directly affects the production of red blood cells that results in anaemia.

Functioning of the Red Blood Cells

Red blood cells refer to those cells that flow in the blood plasma (fluid) and provide red color to the blood. Through the means of the pumping action, the heart pushes the blood to flow to the entire body with the help of the arteries acting as the carrier of blood from the heart to the different parts of the body.

The main function of the red blood cells is to take oxygen from the lungs and transmit it to all the body cells. It is this oxygen that plays an important role in the burning of the sugar and fat that produces energy in the body.

During this combustion process, carbon dioxide is released as the waste product of this chemical reaction. This gas attaches itself to the red blood cells, which had supplied oxygen. The attached carbon dioxide is then taken to the lungs by the red blood cells. This entire chemical combustion is known as oxidation.

This carbon dioxide in the lungs is what we breathe out in exchange with the fresh oxygen that we breathe in.

Anaemia Causes

During pregnancy, the requirement of iron, B12, and folic acid is much more than the normal needs, as even the child’s growth need them. Therefore, it is necessary that the mother must increase her intake of iron, as even the foetus and placenta need their own quantities of iron and the only source of nutrients is the mother.

The body tends to generate more red blood cells and plasma for the foetus. According to a study, it has been concluded that the volume of blood rises nearly by 50 percent in a condition of pregnancy even though the quantity of plasma is unduly higher. The result of this change is a decline in the levels of haemoglobin, which is normal and the lowest levels being between the 25th and 30th week. A blood test named serum ferritin of the pregnant woman must be done to monitor the iron levels.

Apart from this, listed below are the causes of anaemia in pregnancy.

• Low Iron Diet
  This refers to not having adequate food items that are rich in iron.
• Low Folic Acid or B12 in Diet
  This refers to not having adequate food items rich in folic acid and B12.
• Blood Loss
  This can be due to bleeding from piles and ulcers in the stomach.
• Twins or Triplets
  Anaemia is common in these cases.

Anaemia Symptoms

The symptoms of anaemia will come up rarely if the woman is healthy and her haemoglobin level is above 8g/dl. Listed below are the symptoms of anaemia in a pregnant woman.

• Tiredness and paleness (the initial symptoms)
• Palpitations, shortness of breath, and dizziness (all these are quite unusual)
• Angina (chest pain) or headache if the haemoglobin levels fall below 6g/dl, which is the situation of severe anaemia

Anaemia Diagnosis

Antenatal screening forms the part of the diagnosis besides the clinical symptoms. In addition, blood tests are performed normally when the patient first visits the doctor and in the second half of the pregnancy period. The results of the tests include a report of the red blood cells including their various forms and color.

In case of the Afro-Caribbean or Mediterranean woman, more assessments are undertaken to detect the genetic factors leading to sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia.

Anaemia Treatment

The straightforward method of treating anaemia is to prescribe medication that can increase the levels of vitamins and minerals in the body. For example, iron and folic acid tablets can be given to a pregnant woman to maintain the levels of the corresponding nutrients.

However, the iron tablets have its own side effects that include causing constipation or diarrhoea due to which some women can just not bear it. Therefore, this requires a careful monitoring of the tablets taken.

Avoiding Anaemia during Pregnancy

Listed below are some of the ways to avoid iron deficiency.

• Have a varied, but balanced diet that includes all nutrients. This means including proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, fruits, and vegetables.
• Include rich items of iron in your diet such as beef, cereals, spinach, wholemeal bread, and dried fruit.
• Include rich items of folic acid such as beans, oatmeal, beef, broccoli, muesli, and asparagus in your diet. Consult the doctor and take 400 mg folic acid tablets daily to avoid the risk of spina bifida (problems in the spine) in your child.
• Include rich items of Vitamin C in your diet such as raw vegetables, lemon, lime, and oranges.

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