Types of Anemia During Pregnancy

Several types of anemia can develop during pregnancy. These include:

Iron-deficiency anemia Folate-deficiency anemia Vitamin B12 deficiency

Here's why these types of anemia may develop: Iron-deficiency anemia. This type of anemia occurs when the body doesn't have enough iron to produce adequate amounts of hemoglobin. That's a protein in red blood cells. It carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. In iron deficiency anemia! the blood cannot carry enough oxygen to tissues throughout the body. Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia in pregnancy. Folate-deficiency anemia. "olate! also called folic acid! is a type of # vitamin. The body needs folate to produce new cells! including healthy red blood cells. $uring pregnancy! women need extra folate. #ut sometimes they don't get enough from their diet. %hen that happens! the body can't ma&e enough normal red blood cells to transport oxygen to tissues throughout the body. "olate deficiency can directly contribute to certain types of birth defects. Vitamin B12 deficiency. The body needs vitamin #'( to form healthy red blood cells. %hen a pregnant woman doesn't get enough vitamin #'( from her diet! her body can't produce enough healthy red blood cells. %omen who don't eat meat! poultry! dairy products! and eggs have a greater ris& of developing vitamin #'( deficiency! which may contribute to birth defects. #lood loss during and after delivery can also cause anemia.

Ris Factors for Anemia in Pregnancy

)ll pregnant women are at ris& for becoming anemic. That's because they need more iron and folic acid than usual. #ut the ris& is higher in these situations:

Pregnant with more than one child Two pregnancies close together Vomiting a lot because of morning sickness Teenager who is pregnant

on!t eat enough foods that are rich in iron "ea#y periods before you became pregnant

!ymptoms of Anemia During Pregnancy

The most common symptoms of anemia during pregnancy are:

Pale skin$ lips$ and nails Feeling tired or weak i%%iness &hortness of breath 'apid heartbeat Trouble concentrating

In the early stages of anemia! you may not have obvious symptoms. )nd many of the symptoms are ones that you might have while pregnant even if you're not anemic. So be sure to get routine blood tests to chec& for anemia at your prenatal appointments.

Ris s of Anemia in Pregnancy

Severe or untreated iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy can increase your ris& of:

Preterm or low-birth-weight baby Blood transfusion (if you lose a significant amount of blood during deli#ery) Postpartum depression

*ntreated folate deficiency can increase your ris& of having a:

Preterm or low-birth-weight baby Baby with a serious birth defect of the spine or brain (neural tube defects)

*ntreated vitamin #'( deficiency can also raise your ris& of having a baby with neural tube defects.

Tests for Anemia

$uring your first prenatal appointment! you'll get a blood test so your doctor can chec& whether you have anemia. #lood tests typically include:

"emoglobin test* It measures the amount of hemoglobin -- an iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries o+ygen from the lungs to tissues in the body* "ematocrit test* It measures the percentage of red blood cells in a sample of blood*

If you have lower than normal levels of hemoglobin or hematocrit! you may have iron deficiency anemia. +our doctor may chec& other blood tests to determine if you have iron deficiency or another cause for your anemia. ,ven if you don't have anemia at the beginning of your pregnancy! your doctor will most li&ely recommend that you get another blood test to chec& for anemia in your second or third trimester.

Treatment for Anemia

If you are anemic during your pregnancy! you may need to start ta&ing an iron supplement and-or folic acid supplement in addition to your prenatal vitamins. +our doctor may also suggest that you add more foods that are high in iron and folic acid to your diet. In addition! you'll be as&ed to return for another blood test after a specific period of time so your doctor can chec& that your hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are improving. To treat vitamin #'( deficiency! your doctor may recommend that you ta&e a vitamin #'( supplement. The doctor may also recommend that you include more animal foods in your diet! such as:

meat eggs dairy products

Pre"enting Anemia
To prevent anemia during pregnancy! ma&e sure you get enough iron. ,at well balanced meals and add more foods that are high in iron to your diet. )im for at least three servings a day of iron rich foods! such as:

lean red meat$ poultry$ and fish leafy$ dark green #egetables (such as spinach$ broccoli$ and kale) iron-enriched cereals and grains beans$ lentils$ and tofu nuts and seeds eggs

"oods that are high in vitamin . can help your body absorb more iron. These include:

citrus fruits and ,uices strawberries kiwis tomatoes bell peppers

Try eating those foods at the same time that you eat iron rich foods. "or example! you could drin& a glass of orange /uice and eat an iron fortified cereal for brea&fast. )lso! choose foods that are high in folic acid to help prevent folate deficiency. These include:

leafy green #egetables citrus fruits and ,uices fortified breads and cereals dried beans

"ollow your doctor's instructions for ta&ing a prenatal vitamin that contains a sufficient amount of iron and folic acid. 0egetarians and vegans should tal& with their doctor about whether they should ta&e a vitamin #'( supplement when they're pregnant and breastfeeding.