During a woman's pregnancy, mild anemia is normal due to the increase in blood volume. However, more severe anemia can put your baby at higher risk for anemia later in infancy. In addition, a woman is at greater risk of having a premature or low birth weight baby if she is significantly anemic during the first two trimesters. Anemia also places a burden on women, increasing the risk of blood loss during delivery and making it more difficult to fight off infections.
Anemia is a condition that occurs when a woman does not have a high enough concentration of red blood cells in her blood or a healthy enough number of red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen to a woman's body tissues with the help of hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells. Hemoglobin contains high levels of iron and is the main catalyst for spreading oxygen to a woman's body.
Women most often develop anemia due to iron deficiency.
What causes anemia in women?
As we said, iron deficiency is one of the main causes of anemia in women.
But how do women suffer from iron deficiency anemia?
The most common cause of iron deficiency anemia in women is pregnancy.
In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 40 percent of women worldwide are anemic during pregnancy.
Other causes of anemia include:
- A diet lacking proper nutrition
- Other vitamin or mineral deficiencies
- Heavy blood loss
- Inflammation from certain chronic diseases
- Leukemia or other cancers that affect the blood
- Intestinal disorders (i.e. Crohn’s disease)
- Heavy use of alcohol
Common symptoms of anemia in women
Sometimes symptoms are not present or noticeable if your anemia is mild. But as it progresses or becomes more severe, here are the symptoms to watch for:
- Fatigue or lack of motivation
- Dizziness or weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Reduced productivity
- Unexplained headaches
- Low body temperature
- Yellow-ish skin
- Irregular heartbeat
If you notice you’re developing some of these symptoms (especially if you’re pregnant), talk to your doctor right away.
How do I prevent or treat anemia during pregnancy?
The best way to prevent anemia in women is to take a folic acid-rich prenatal vitamin during pregnancy. In addition, eating iron-rich foods (such as meat, eggs, fish, peas and beans) can help boost your folic acid intake and prevent anemia.
If a woman's anemia is primarily due to too little iron in her blood, changing her diet and taking iron supplements can generally improve her hemoglobin levels. In addition, women can take vitamin C or eat foods that contain high amounts of vitamin C (citrus fruits, tomatoes, broccoli, etc.) as this helps a woman's body absorb iron.
However, women should always talk to their doctor before starting any supplements, because depending on the cause and severity of a woman's anemia, it may not be enough. Sometimes surgery or blood transfusions are needed.
Does anemia affect my baby during pregnancy?
During a woman's pregnancy, a woman needs about twice as much iron as she would if she were not pregnant. Iron helps support the growth of the baby. If your baby does not get enough iron, then he is more likely to have a low birth weight or be born prematurely. Since both of these conditions can cause problems with your child's development and pose a risk of serious complications, it is important to test for anemia during a woman's pregnancy.
Talk to your doctor about anemia
If you are concerned that you may have anemia, start by testing your hemoglobin level with a hemoglobin meter or talk to your doctor about any symptoms you are experiencing and discuss the best treatment options for you. Anemia in women can seriously affect your energy. It is important to address anemia in women quickly so that anemia in women does not prevent you from being able to function or work properly. If you are pregnant, iron deficiency anemia can also put your baby at risk.
See also:
2. What Is Blood Test For Iron Called?
3. 2022 Best Home Hemoglobin Meter Buyers Guide
4. Can I take anemia tests at home?
5. How to choose the at-home kidney test？
6. What main factors influence the hemoglobin test for results?