Feeling fatigued, lightheaded, out of breath, or cold for no reason are all common in pregnancy. A pregnant woman’s body undergoes many changes, and she is bound to feel tired and catch infections easily, right? What if all those symptoms were not just due to pregnancy? Did you know anaemia can also cause all those symptoms, and if left untreated, it can have a severe impact on the developing baby, too?
The body requires red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. Anaemia is a condition where the blood does not have enough red blood cells to carry enough oxygen throughout the body.
Haemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body. When this haemoglobin is low, the blood can’t carry sufficient oxygen to all parts of the body. As a result, the body will feel tired and start struggling.
During pregnancy, when the expecting mother has low haemoglobin levels, the blood cannot carry enough oxygen to all parts of her body and to the baby as well. Pregnancy requires the body to produce more blood to aid fetal development. If the mother does not get sufficient iron and nutrients, her blood may not have enough red blood cells and haemoglobin, thus leading to low haemoglobin levels or anaemia.
Anaemia is quite common in pregnancy. Anaemia during pregnancy can be of the following types:
● Iron deficiency anaemia
● Folate deficiency anaemia
● Vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia
Iron deficiency anaemia is what leads to low haemoglobin levels during pregnancy. When the blood does not have enough iron in it, it cannot produce adequate haemoglobin to support fetal development. This is the most common type of anaemia in pregnancy and affects many women.
Not all pregnant women suffer from low haemoglobin levels or anaemia during pregnancy. Some of the factors that increase the risk of this condition in pregnancy are:
1. Pregnant with more than one baby can increase the blood supply and iron demand to support the babies.
2. Getting pregnant soon after the previous pregnancy thus, not give the body enough time to recover and recoup.
3. Severe morning sickness and vomiting that results in a loss of fluids and affects nutrition levels
4. Not eating enough foods rich in iron and essential nutrients
5. Had anaemia before pregnancy
6. Teenage pregnancy
Symptoms of anaemia are very similar to those of pregnancy. Not treating low haemoglobin levels in pregnancy can affect both the mother and the baby. If you notice the following, it is advisable to consult your doctor at the earliest:
● Feeling tired and weak during pregnancy is normal, but if you are feeling very tired regularly, and are unable to carry on with your daily routine, you should check your iron levels.
● As the baby grows and pushes against the lungs and chest, towards the end of pregnancy, most pregnant women feel out of breath. However, if you are finding it difficult to breathe comfortably at the beginning of pregnancy, it could be due to low iron levels.
● If you are feeling cold easily, especially in your hands and feet, when others around you seem comfortable, it could indicate anaemia.
● When your blood does not carry enough oxygen to different parts of your body, your skin will look pale and dry, and it will bruise easily.
● In some cases, the lack of iron or oxygen in the blood can cause restless leg syndrome – an urge to move the legs even when resting.
Iron deficiency in pregnancy can affect the baby’s health in the following ways:
● Preterm delivery
● Low birth weight
● Baby can be born with anaemia
● Increases the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders like Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit or hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
● Increases risk of intellectual disability
● Increases risk of developmental issues in cognitive, adaptive, social, and emotional functions
● Delay in language or motor development.
Most pregnant women suffer from low haemoglobin levels during pregnancy. Here are some tips to improve your iron levels:
● Iron supplements – regular tablets or through IV in case of severely low haemoglobin levels
● Diet – Eating foods rich in iron – green leafy vegetables, lean meat, nuts, seeds, eggs, lentils, tofu and beans.
● Vitamin C – Increasing your vitamin C levels can help improve iron absorption from the foods you eat.
Low haemoglobin levels during pregnancy are quite common. Taking supplements and changing one’s diet can help improve iron absorption. Prolonged low levels of haemoglobin can have effects on the baby’s growth and development. Ensure you talk to your doctor and take the necessary steps to prevent the low haemoglobin levels from affecting the baby’s growth and development.
When there are not enough red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the mother’s body, the baby will not receive enough oxygen to aid growth and development either. The baby will also not receive all the essential nutrients for development. As a result, it negatively impacts fetal growth and development.
Anaemia or low haemoglobin during pregnancy can result in premature birth, low birth weight, restriction in growth and development or even neurodevelopmental issues in the baby.
Eating more foods rich in iron and taking prenatal vitamins with iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 can help improve haemoglobin levels in expecting mothers. Vitamin C helps in iron absorption, so consuming foods rich in vitamin C, such as spinach, green leafy vegetables, or lean beef, can help increase iron absorption.
