Anemia During Pregnancy

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General Information

DEFINITION - An inadequate level of hemoglobin during pregnancy. Hemoglobin is a protein that carries oxygen to body tissues.

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BODY PARTS INVOLVED - Blood cells.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED - Pregnant females.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Breathlessness.
• Tiredness, weakness or fainting.
• Paleness.

Infrequent:

• Palpitations or an abnormal awareness of the heartbeat.
• Inflamed, sore tongue.
• Nausea.
• Headache.
• Forgetfulness.
• Jaundice.
• Abdominal pain.

CAUSES

• Poor diet with inadequate iron.
• Folic-acid deficiency.
• Loss of blood from bleeding hemorrhoids or gastrointestinal bleeding.
• Excess cooking of food, which destroys available iron and other nutrients.
• Even if iron and folic-acid intake are sufficient, a pregnant woman may become anemic because pregnancy alters the digestive process. The fetus consumes some of the iron or folic acid normally available to the mother's body.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Poor nutrition, especially multiple vitamin deficiencies.
• Smoking, which reduces absorption of important nutrients.
• Excess alcohol consumption, leading to poor nutrition.
• Medical history of any disorder that reduces absorption of nutrients.
• Use of anticonvulsant drugs.
• Previous use of oral contraceptives.

HOW TO PREVENT

• Eat foods rich in iron, such as liver, beef, whole-grain breads and cereals, eggs and dried fruit.
• Eat foods high in folic acid, such as wheat germ, beans, peanut butter, oatmeal, mushrooms, collards, broccoli, beef liver and asparagus.
• Eat foods high in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits and fresh, raw vegetables. Vitamin C makes iron absorption more efficient.
• Take prenatal vitamin and mineral supplements, if your doctor prescribes them.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
• Laboratory blood studies of hemoglobin, iron, hematocrit and folic acid.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Self-care after diagnosis.
• Doctor's treatment.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Premature labor.
• Dangerous anemia from normal blood loss during labor, requiring blood transfusions.
• Increased susceptibility to infection after childbirth.

PROBABLE OUTCOME - Usually curable with iron and folic-acid supplements by mouth or by injection.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES

If the tongue is red and sore, rinse with warm salt water 3 or 4 times a day. Use 1 teaspoon salt to 8 oz. warm water.
Brush teeth with a soft toothbrush.

MEDICATION - Your doctor may prescribe iron, folic acid and other supplements. For better absorption, take iron supplements 1 hour before eating or between meals. Iron will turn bowel movements black and often cause constipation.

ACTIVITY - No restrictions, except rest often until anemia disappears.

DIET - Eat well and take prescribed supplements. Increase fiber and fluid intake to prevent constipation. See How to Prevent for diet suggestions.

Call Your Doctor If

• You have symptoms of anemia during pregnancy.
• The following occurs during treatment: Diarrhea. Nausea. Abdominal pain. Constipation. Bleeding - however slight - from any source.

From the Complete Guide to Symptoms, Illness & Surgery by H. Winter Griffith, M.D. © 1995 The Putnam Berkley Group, Inc.; electronic rights by Medical Data Exchange.