A woman’s body goes through several changes during pregnancy. The amount of blood cells directly increases by 30 percent when pregnant. The body increases the production to meet up with the demand of blood supply to the fetus and its growth. The supply of iron through the blood cells also increases in pregnancy. Hemoglobin is the main ingredient in the red blood cells that binds the oxygen supply to various parts of the body. If pregnant women lack the iron in the body, the fetus is supplied with the existing red blood cells and leading to anemia in the woman.

Mild anemia is very common in women. It is caused due to the increase in blood volume in pregnancy. However, severe anemia is considered dangerous because the baby is put under a higher risk. Also if you suffer from anemia in the first two trimesters, you have an increased risk of pre-term delivery and giving birth to an underweight baby. Anemia also increases the risk of blood loss during delivery and labor. It decreases immunity and exposes the mother and the baby to infections.

There are certain people who are at risk of anemia during pregnancy. Some of them are as follow:

• If you have had 2 pregnancies close to each other
• If you are carrying twins
• If you are suffering from nausea and frequent vomiting
• If you do not eat proteins and lack iron
• If you were suffering from heavy menstrual flow in pre-pregnancy

Some of the symptoms of anemia during pregnancy are as below:

• Frequent fatigue
• Pale skin which seems to be getting worse
• A rapid heart rate
• Confusion
• Shortness of breath

However, when a woman is pregnant, the doctors conduct regular tests to check the hemoglobin level in the blood. The regular blood work and examinations will identify the presence of anemia in the early stages of pregnancy. Corrective measures through medications will be taken by the doctors.

In order to prevent pregnancy related anemia, you should follow a good diet which is high in proteins and iron. If you are already pregnant or planning a pregnancy, you should start taking supplements of iron. Also, eating dark green leafy vegetables provides the iron supplements and folic acid in a natural way. Women should not skip taking their prenatal vitamins during pregnancy. A pregnant woman’s body needs at least 27mg of iron supply every day. You can also speak with your doctor about your risks of getting anemia during pregnancy.

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