WHAT IS IT?

An inadequate level of hemoglobin during pregnancy. Hemoglobin is a protein that carries oxygen to body tissues.

WHY IS ANEMIA SO IMPORTANT DURING PREGNANCY?

Growing fetus takes all nutrients from mother's blood. Oxygen is one of the most essential items given by mother to fetus. Haemoglobin carries oxygen thus making it so much more important during pregnancy

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Mild:

• Paleness, Tiredness and Weakness.
• Inflamed, sore tongue.
• Nausea.
• Headache.

Severe:

• Abdominal pain.
• Breathlessness.
• Palpitation or an abnormal awareness of the heartbeat.
• Fainting

CAUSES

• Poor diet with inadequate iron.
• Folic-acid deficiency.
• Loss of blood from bleeding piles or gastrointestinal bleeding.
• Excess cooking of food, which destroys available iron and other nutrients.
• Even if iron and folic-acid intake are sufficient, a pregnant woman may become anemic because pregnancy alters the digestive process. The fetus consumes some of the iron or folic acid normally available to the mother's body.

WOMEN MORE AT RISK

• Poor nutrition, especially multiple vitamin deficiencies.
• Smoking, which reduces absorption of important nutrients.
• Medical history of any disorder that reduces absorption of nutrients.
• Use of antiepileptics drugs.
• Previous use of oral contraceptives.

HOW TO PREVENT

• Eat foods rich in iron, such as organ meats, whole-grain breads and cereals, eggs and dried fruit.
• Eat foods high in folic acid, such as wheat germ, beans, peanut butter, oatmeal and mushrooms
• Eat foods high in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits and fresh, raw vegetables. Vitamin C results in better iron absorption.
• Take prescribed iron, vitamin and mineral supplements.

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES

• Suggestive symptoms.
• During ante natal care.
• Routine blood checks during pregnancy.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Premature labor.
• Dangerous anemia from normal blood loss during labor, requiring blood transfusions.
• Increased susceptibility to infection after childbirth.

TREATMENT

MEDICATION

All women are given folic acid in the 1^st trimester and Iron and calcium later on. For better absorption, take iron supplements 1 hour before eating or between meals. Iron may give you black stools and may also cause constipation.

ACTIVITY

No restrictions, except rest often until anemia disappears.

DIET

Eat well and take prescribed supplements. Increase fiber and fluid intake to prevent constipation. Diet suggestions.

CALL YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY, IF

The following occurs during treatment:

• Diarrhoea.
• Nausea.
• Abdominal pain.
• Constipation.
• Bleeding-however slight-from any source.