Understanding Anaemia During Pregnancy: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Why am I feeling so tired all the time, even after resting?
If this thought has been quietly lingering in your mind, you’re not alone, to-be-mumma! Feeling low on energy during pregnancy is common, but when that tiredness starts to feel overwhelming or never-ending, it could be your body’s way of asking for help. What many expecting mothers don’t realise is that more than 50% of pregnant women in India experience some level of anaemia, often without any clear warning signs until a routine check-up brings it to light.
Pregnancy already comes with enough emotional and physical challenges. So when your body gives you subtle cues- like constant exhaustion or lightheadedness- it’s important not to brush them off. This article is here to help you understand one of the most common yet often overlooked health concerns in pregnancy. So, let’s take a calm, step-by-step look at what anaemia in pregnancy really means.
What is Anaemia in Pregnancy?
Let’s break it down simply: anaemia happens when your body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to all the tissues that need it. And during pregnancy, when your body is already working overtime, this can really take a toll.
Red blood cells contain a protein called haemoglobin, which is essentially the oxygen delivery system. It picks up oxygen from your lungs and transports it throughout your body, while also helping remove carbon dioxide. For your body to make enough red blood cells and haemoglobin during pregnancy, it needs a steady supply of folic acid, iron, and vitamin B12. Without these nutrients, your haemoglobin level during pregnancy can dip too low, leaving you feeling unusually tired, lightheaded, or weak.
Pregnancy naturally increases your blood volume by about 20% to 30%, which means your body has to work harder to produce more red blood cells. That’s why it’s quite common for women to have mild anaemia, and for their haemoglobin during pregnancy to fall slightly below normal levels. But when this drop is significant or left untreated, it can lead to complications for both you and your baby.
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Common Causes of Anaemia During Pregnancy
Anaemia in pregnancy can happen for many reasons, and it’s often a mix of physical changes, dietary gaps, and past health history. Understanding what puts you at risk can help you take timely action and protect your well-being. Causes of anaemia in pregnancy include:
- Increased Blood Volume: Your body needs more red blood cells to support your growing baby, which demands more folate, iron, and vitamin B12.
- Iron Deficiency: It is the most common cause. It happens when your iron stores are too low to support both you and your baby.
- Folate Deficiency: Folate is essential for producing healthy red blood cells. A deficiency can lead to anaemia and increase the risk of birth defects.
- Vitamin B12 Deficiency: This is the most common in those who avoid animal-based foods like dairy, meat, and eggs.
- Poor Absorption of Nutrients: Conditions that affect digestion or frequent vomiting due to morning sickness can interfere with nutrient absorption, leading to anaemia.
- Existing Health Conditions: Diseases like sickle cell anaemia and thalassemia can reduce healthy red blood cell production.
- Heavy Blood Loss: A history of heavy periods, ulcers, polyps, or frequent blood donations can deplete red blood cells faster than they’re replaced, causing anaemia.
Common risk factors that increase your chances of developing anaemia during pregnancy include:
1. Being pregnant with twins or multiples
2. Having pregnancies close together
3. Severe morning sickness with frequent vomiting
4. Teenage pregnancy
5. Poor diet lacking iron-rich and vitamin-rich foods
6. Having low haemoglobin or anaemia before becoming pregnant
Symptoms of Anaemia in Pregnant Women
In many cases, anaemia in pregnancy can sneak in quietly. Mild anaemia might not trigger any noticeable signs early on, but as it progresses, the symptoms can become harder to ignore. What makes it tricky is that many of these signs—like fatigue or forgetfulness—can overlap with normal pregnancy experiences. Here are some common symptoms that could indicate anaemia:
1. Constant fatigue or unusual weakness
2. Pale lips, skin, or nail beds
3. Dizziness or a spinning sensation when you stand up
4. Rapid heartbeat or pounding in your chest
5. Shortness of breath, even with light activity
6. Headaches that don’t seem to go away
7. Trouble focusing or feeling mentally foggy
8. Cold hands and feet or feeling chilly often
9. Sore or inflamed tongue
10 .Restless legs, especially at night
11. Craving non-food items like ice (a condition called pica)
12. In severe cases, low blood pressure or a noticeable drop in energy even after resting
The tricky part? Some women with anaemia may not experience strong symptoms until their Hgb during pregnancy dip significantly. That’s why regular checkups and blood tests are so important.
Diagnosis and Monitoring of Anaemia in Pregnancy
One of the first things your doctor will do at a prenatal visit is order a simple blood test- usually a complete blood count (CBC)- to screen for anaemia. This blood test helps your healthcare provider get a detailed look at your red blood cells, including how many you have and whether they’re the right size and shape. Most importantly, it shows your haemoglobin level during pregnancy– a key indicator of how well your red blood cells are carrying oxygen throughout your body. Here’s what your doctor is looking at:
- Haemoglobin Test: Measures the amount of haemoglobin during pregnancy, the iron-rich protein that helps red blood cells transport oxygen.
- Hematocrit Test: Tells what percentage of your blood is made up of red blood cells.
- Additional Tests: Check your iron levels and look for deficiencies in vitamin B12 and folate.
If your haemoglobin level is lower than expected, you might have iron-deficiency anaemia, which is the most common type of anaemia in pregnancy. In more severe cases- where haemoglobin levels drop to around 6.5 to 7.9 g/dL- your doctor may consider treatments, depending on your symptoms and stage of pregnancy.
Treatment Options for Anaemia in Pregnancy
Good news! Most cases of anaemia in pregnancy are treatable and manageable with the right care. The approach your doctor recommends will depend on how severe your anaemia is and what type you have, but rest assured, there are effective options to help you feel better.
For mild to moderate anaemia, your doctor may recommend daily iron tablets for pregnancy along with your prenatal vitamins. These supplements often include folic acid, iron, and vitamin B12- all essential nutrients your body needs to produce healthy red blood cells. If you’re dealing with more severe anaemia, your doctor might consider intravenous (IV) iron therapy or, in rare cases, a blood transfusion.
Your diet plays a key role too. Including foods that contain iron for pregnancy– like leafy greens (spinach, kale), lean meats (chicken, turkey, beef), lentils, and iron-fortified cereals—can help replenish your iron stores naturally. Don’t forget to add foods rich in vitamin C like oranges, strawberries, and bell peppers to boost iron absorption. For anyone looking to plan their meals better, it’s worth creating a list of foods high in iron for pregnancy and incorporating them into your daily routine.
If your anaemia is due to a vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, your doctor may recommend additional supplements and ask you to eat more animal-based foods like eggs, dairy, and meat. In cases where oral supplements cause side effects like nausea or constipation (which can happen with iron tablets for pregnancy), your doctor might adjust your dosage or frequency to help you tolerate them better.
And remember- treatment isn’t a one-and-done deal. You’ll likely need follow-up blood tests to make sure your Hgb during pregnancy is improving. In some cases, your doctor may refer you to a haematologist, a specialist who focuses on blood disorders, for extra support.
Preventing Anaemia During Pregnancy
When it comes to pregnancy, prevention is better than cure- and that holds especially true for anaemia. One of the easiest ways to stay ahead of it is by making sure your body gets enough iron every single day. Ideally, pregnant women should aim for at least 27–30 milligrams of iron daily, which typically means including at least three servings of foods high in iron for pregnancy in your meals.
To help your body’s absorption, pair foods that contain iron for pregnancy with foods rich in vitamin C. For example, enjoying a bowl of iron-fortified cereal with a glass of orange juice is a great breakfast combo. In addition to your diet, taking a daily prenatal vitamin is essential. Some prenatal vitamins might not have enough iron, so it’s important to check with your doctor about the right one for you. In some cases, your healthcare provider may recommend iron tablets for pregnancy, especially if your diet alone isn’t meeting your iron needs.
It’s also helpful to include foods rich in folate to prevent folate deficiency. And if you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, talk to your doctor about taking a vitamin B12 supplement, as B12 is mostly found in animal products.Even if you’re doing everything right, it’s still possible to develop mild anaemia during pregnancy due to the natural increase in blood volume. That’s why regular check-ups and blood tests are so important.
Conclusion
Anaemia during pregnancy might sound scary, but the good news is- it’s usually easy to treat once you know what you’re dealing with. If you’ve been feeling unusually tired, dizzy, or just off, don’t brush it aside. It could be your body’s gentle nudge telling you it needs a little extra help. Whether it’s taking iron tablets for pregnancy, adding more leafy greens and lentils to your plate, or checking in with your doctor about your iron and vitamin levels, small steps can lead to big improvements.
Faq's
1. How do you treat anaemia in pregnancy?
Anaemia in pregnancy is treated with iron tablets, folic acid, vitamin B12 supplements, dietary changes, and in severe cases, intravenous iron or blood transfusions as advised by your doctor.
2. How does anaemia affect the baby in pregnancy?
Untreated anaemia can lead to low birth weight, premature delivery, and developmental delays. Severe cases may reduce oxygen supply to the baby, increasing risks during and after birth.
3. How to increase Hgb during pregnancy?
To increase haemoglobin, eat foods high in iron for pregnancy, take iron supplements, include vitamin C-rich foods to boost absorption, and follow up regularly with your healthcare provider.
4. Is 9.5 hemoglobin low during pregnancy?
Yes, 9.5 g/dL is considered low. It indicates mild to moderate anaemia and should be managed with dietary changes, iron tablets for pregnancy, and close monitoring by your doctor.
