Anemia During Pregnancy: Symptoms, Causes & Management

Iron is one very important nutrient that a pregnant woman needs during pregnancy. Its requirement increases during pregnancy because of the increase in blood volume during pregnancy. Increased blood volume is required for supplying nutrients and oxygen to the baby in enough amounts. Iron deficiency can also lead to anemia during pregnancy.

In this article, we will discuss the signs and symptoms of anemia, how to treat an iron deficiency and two iron-rich recipes for a healthy pregnancy.

What are the symptoms of anemia during pregnancy?

Some signs and symptoms of anemia during pregnancy include the following:

• Pale skin and nails

• Difficulty breathing

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• Difficulty concentrating

• Dizziness or light-headedness

• Cold hands and feet

• Constant fatigue

But it is important to note here that these symptoms may not necessarily indicate iron deficiency, so see your doctor before intervening further.

What causes anemia during pregnancy?

Mild anemia is experienced by many women during pregnancy because of an increase in the blood volume and can easily be corrected by diet and normal iron supplementation but if anemia is severe and left untreated, it may lead to low birth weight in the baby or preterm labor. Some other causes for anemia could be poor dietary habits, heavy periods pre-pregnancy, hindrance in iron absorption due to affected mucosa, and peptic ulcers during or pre-pregnancy.

Whatever the reason is, it is important to monitor it and manage it well under professional guidance. Iron deficiency anemia may hinder the capacity of blood to carry oxygen because it is iron which binds with oxygen to take it to every part of the body. If you feel you are anemic, visit your doctor before jumping on to conclusions since anemia can occur because of other reasons too and may not necessarily be an iron deficiency. If you start treating yourself considering it to be iron deficiency, you may land up into bigger troubles like iron toxicity. So, don’t self-treat, see your doctor.

How to treat anemia during pregnancy with dietary intervention?

Here are some dietary interventions that can help you manage iron deficiency and anemia during pregnancy:

• If anemic, you can start taking iron supplements. But other than that, you should be following a healthy dietary regime with foods rich in iron. Certain foods that will benefit you include: all dark green leafy vegetables, sprouts, beans, red meat, kala chana and fortified salt and cereals.

• When you consume iron from vegetarian sources, it is important to take vitamin C along with iron sources for proper iron absorption in the body. This is not the case with iron from non-vegetarian sources.

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• Some vitamin C-rich foods are bell peppers, capsicum, citrus fruits, green vegetables, tomatoes, gooseberries, lemon etc. Make sure you consume these along with the iron-rich foods in the same meal for maximum benefit

• Another point to consider is that iron supplements should never be taken with antacids or calcium supplements since the combination hinders iron and calcium absorption. Give a gap of 2-4 hours between them

In case, your body is not able to absorb iron orally, the doctor might give you iron through other means like a blood transfusion or injections. The priority for you is to get over anemia so that you and your baby can lead a healthy life.

Some Iron-rich Recipes for You

Here are two iron-rich recipes that can help you overcome iron deficiency and anemia during pregnancy when combined with other treatments:

1. Beetroot sesame salad

Ingredients you will need:

• 1 diced beetroot
• 1 chopped spring onion
• 1 tsp sesame seeds
• 3-4 crushed garlic cloves
• Salt, pepper and parsley dry powder as per taste
• Half lemon- juice
• 1 tsp olive oil

Method:

• In a pan, heat olive oil, add crushed garlic and fry for a minute.
• Add beetroot, sesame seeds and spring onion and sauté for 3 minutes on medium flame.
• Add seasoning and switch off the flame.
• In the end, add some drops of lemon juice and mix it well.

2. Kala chana bathua saag

Ingredients you will need:

• 1 bowl boiled kala chana
• 1 bowl chopped bathua
• 1 finely chopped onion
• 1 finely chopped tomato
• 6-7 crushed garlic gloves
• 1 tsp mustard oil
• ½ tsp cumin seeds, red chilli, coriander powder
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 cup water
• Salt and garam masala as per taste

Method:

• Heat oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds to it and let them sputter. Now, sauté garlic till light brown.
• Add coriander and red chilli powder.
• After 30 seconds, add bathua and saute for 5 minutes on low to medium flame.
• Add kala chana to it and water. Let it simmer for 3-5 minutes on low flame.
• Add salt and other seasoning to it.
• Turn off the flame. Add some lemon juice to it.
• Serve hot with bajra or makka roti.

Iron deficiency or anemia during pregnancy can be managed if identified timely. Always remember, intervention is better than cure.