Information on Anemia During Pregnancy

Information on anemia is important because anemia is more common during pregnancy.

If you are wondering: "Is anemia a disease and is it dangerous to me and my baby?" then we can answer these questions...

What is Anemia?

Anemia is not a disease but it is rather the symptom of an underlying problem. It is a deficiency in either:

The number of red blood cells - RBCs - or

The amount of iron absorbed and carried by those cells

Anemia is measured by a decrease in hemoglobin - the red pigment in red blood cells that transports oxygen. It is usually diagnosed by a hematocrit blood test which is used to measure the number of red blood cells and the concentration of iron in those cells.

Most anemia information will tell you that it is most common in women. In the U.S., 10% of women in their childbearing years have anemia - due to blood loss during menstruation.

Signs and Symptoms of Anemia

The signs and symptoms are:

Paleness

Weakness

Tiredness

Low blood pressure

And in severe cases:

Chest pains

Heart palpitation

Increase in heart rate

Shortness of breath.

Information on Anemia: Different Types

The most common forms of anemia are due to an iron deficiency - iron deficiency anemia - or a deficiency in vitamin B12 - megaloblastic and pernicious anemia.

The accepted treatment for anemia - iron deficiency anemia - is to give iron supplements. This treatment should never be your first recommendation. It does not help all women and it has many unwanted side effects.

First of all, iron supplementation is often ineffective. Second of all, even when it does help, it is likely to cause constipation and stomach distress as well as rob your body of vitamin E.

For a deficiency in vitamin B12 supplements can be taken. A B12 deficiency is more common in vegetarians.

Information on Anemia: Is Anemia Dangerous?

Anemia in and of itself is not dangerous. However, it leaves you without reserves in case of excessive bleeding during childbirth and that certainly can put you and your baby's lives at risk.

In pregnancy, iron levels should be checked with the first blood draw and then again at 28 weeks. This involves a simple painless blood test which takes only a few minutes.

A hemoglobin level of 12.5 or higher is considered normal during the first trimester. A drop of at least 2 grams is expected during the 28th and 30th week reflecting adequate blood volume expansion.

Note: If you are carrying multiples, a drop greater than 2 grams may be seen.

Information on Anemia: What is Blood Volume Expansion?

And why is it important to you and your baby?

The amount of blood in your circulation is supposed to increase as your pregnancy advances. Your total blood volume should increase by 50 to 60%.

Peak volume should occur between 28 and 30 weeks. A decrease of hemoglobin at that time signifies that your blood volume has adequately expanded and is no cause for concern.

However a rise in hemoglobin throughout pregnancy without intensive nutritional therapy is a bad sign that the blood volume is not expanding.

Inadequate blood volume expansion is very bad news for you and your baby. Among other things, it has been shown to have a direct correlation with toxemia - pre-eclampsia - and prematurity. A hemoglobin of 12 or less before 20 weeks necessitates evaluation and therapy.

Treating and curing anemia by natural means is much easier than you may think and it is safe for you and your baby.

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