What you need to know about anemia in pregnancy

By Cicle Health on 8 Nov, 2022
What you need to know about anemia in pregnancy

Pregnant women are at a greater risk of anemia, which is a condition in which the iron levels in the blood are below normal. In some cases, the babies of these women may be born with low birth weight or show developmental problems. One cause of anemia in pregnant women is the body's increased need for red blood cells. If the mother does not have enough iron in her body, the red blood cells will be broken down to provide the body with what it needs. Pregnancy can be challenging, however anemia is one of the most common pregnancy related problems. This blog post discusses why pregnant women might be anemic.

Why do pregnant women have Anemia

Anemia is one of the primary causes of a low number of red blood cells. Around 25% of pregnant women suffer from anemia, and some of these women are unaware of their condition. Finding out the cause of the anemia is important because there are many treatments available. The most common cause of anemia during pregnancy is a lack of iron. Iron is needed for red blood cells to develop and function properly. Iron deficiency can be treated with iron supplements. When pregnant, your body goes through many changes. One of the most common changes is that you might become anemic because your body is busy making food and blood for your baby. If you have anemia, you might have many symptoms like feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or having a headache. In the end, the best way to help you prevent anemia is by taking iron supplements. However, taking iron supplements might not help you if you have anemia from other causes. In these cases, the best way to help you is to see your doctor.

What are the causes of Anemia in pregnant women

When a pregnant woman is anemic, it can be caused by the following:

  • Lack of iron. Iron is needed for red blood cells to develop and function properly. Iron deficiency can be treated with iron supplements
  • blood type that is incompatible with the fetus, and hormonal changes.
  • Another cause of anemia is low blood volume. This is because blood needs to be able to flow to different parts of the body. Low blood volume causes blood to be unable to clot properly which can lead to bleeding. Decreased blood volume is a common complication during pregnancy, and anemia is the most common complication.

What are the signs of Anemia in pregnancy

There are many signs of Anemia in pregnant women including fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath and others. If you're pregnant and have any of these symptoms and find out you have anemia, you should talk to your doctor. The most common way to test for anemia is through a blood test. If it's confirmed that you are anemic, your doctor will talk about what you should do and about the risks involved.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our blog post on why pregnant women may be anemic. Every woman's body is different but if you've been told you might be anemic, it's important to know why and what you can do to help your body during pregnancy. With your support, we hope you'll be able to have a healthy and happy pregnancy and give your baby the great life you deserve!

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