Anemia During Pregnancy: Deficiencies And Their Prevention

Updated: October 16, 2017

Anemia is a low count of red platelets or a low level of hemoglobin. The condition is mostly occur in pregnancy than normal time as the requirement of iron is high, particularly in pregnancy. Your body needs to deliver more blood to help the development and advancement of the fetus.

Gentle anemia in pregnancy is normal, however in the event that the levels are low, it can prompt numerous difficulties, for example, preterm delivery, low birth weight, post pregnancy anxiety or an infant with anemia. It can likewise cause formative deferrals in youngsters.


The deficiency of iron occurs due to their reduced production or excess loss. The body needs healthy levels of iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid to produce the cells in high numbers. Lack of any of these components will lead to anemia.

Types Of Anemia During Pregnancy:

The three most prevalent forms are:

Iron-deficiency anemia
Folate-deficiency anemia
Vitamin B12 deficiency

Iron-Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy:

Anemia generally occurs when your body has iron deficiency which can not make sufficient hemoglobin.The blood cannot carry enough oxygen from the lungs to the rest of your body due to lack of iron if you have anemia.

What causes iron deficiency anemia?

During pregnancy, you need extra amount of iron than you usually need. It is essential to produce more blood and supply oxygen to the growing fetus. A pregnant woman should consume 27mg per day. Anemia is nothing but insufficient amounts of iron in the body.

The risk factors of iron deficiency anemia:

The risk factors of iron deficiency anemia include

• Eating excess of foods that affect iron absorption (dairy, soy, tea, coffee)
• Getting pregnant before 20 years of age
• Having intestinal and stomach disorders which affect the body’s ability to absorb nutrients
• Prior surgeries such as gastric bypass surgery, which affects the absorption capacity and gut
• Certain medications which affect the way your body system absorbs iron
• Loss of blood during the previous labor
• A short gap between pregnancies
• Frequent vomitings due to morning sickness
• Having a diet low in iron-rich foods and vitamin C (helps in iron absorption) foods
• Carrying more than one fetus
• Heavy pre-pregnancy menstrual periods
• History of anemia before pregnancy

What are the symptoms of anemia during pregnancy?

Moderate to severe anemia will have these symptoms:

• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Headache
• Palpitations
• Pale complexion
• Poor concentration or irritability
• Chest pain
• Leg cramping
• Cold hands and feet
• Soft lips, oral cavity, and inner eyelids
• Glossy tongue
• Cracks in the mouth corners
• Spoon-shaped nails
• Cravings for non-food items (pica) or ice

Diagnosis of Anemia

These blood tests has to be done to diagnosis anemia. Once you visit the doctor, he will recommend you to do the below test.

Complete blood count (CBC)
Hematocrit (Hct) to check the percentage of RBCs
Hemoglobin (Hgb) levels

If Hct levels less than 33%, and Hgb less than 11gm per deciliter (dL) of blood in the first and third trimesters then it is detected as anemia.