How To Prevent Anaemia During Pregnancy

Every pregnancy is different and it comes with different bodily changes. However, some of the most common things people can expect during this time is the increased risk of anaemia. One needs to take very good care during this time and especially in the last half of the pregnancy.

Anaemia occurs when the count of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the tissues, reduces. When it is mild, it might end up making you feel exhausted but when it is severe it can become serious and critical if left untreated. There are over 400 different types of anaemia and different causes behind it.

If anaemia occurs during pregnancy, it can lead to a higher risk of premature birth, maternal mortality, and low birth weight. In order to prevent this, here are a few ways which can help you identify the symptoms and help prevent the same.

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Causes of Anaemia During Pregnancy

Though the overall blood volume increases during pregnancy, the liquid also known as plasma volume increases more than the increase in the red blood cell volume. This results in a lower percentage of red blood cells in the overall blood volume, which is reflected in a blood test.

Another common cause of anaemia is the deficiency of iron in the body. This lower iron storage leads to reduced production of haemoglobin which is the oxygen-carrying component of the red blood cell.

However, even if the body works hard enough to provide the right nourishment for the baby and increases the blood volume by 45 percent, physiological anaemia might occur. This is one of the most common anaemia that occurs during the neonatal period, however, it is not a pathological condition.

The other two causes of anaemia during pregnancy can occur due to the deficiency of folate and vitamin B12. Folate deficiency occurs when the water-soluble vitamin, Folic acid, that helps prevent neural tube defects or cognitive brain problems reduces in the body as the vagina requires it in higher levels during this time. Vitamin B12, found primarily in fortified foods and animal products including meat, fish, poultry, and eggs, is used to produce red blood cells in the body.

Ways to Prevent Anaemia

Higher intake of prenatal vitamins, which typically contain most of the micronutrients necessary, during pregnancy including iron and folic acid.

In case, anaemia is caused due to deficiency of iron, one can take doctor-recommended iron supplements in addition to prenatal vitamins.

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Nutrition-rich diet, which includes poultry, fish, lean red meats, beans, nuts and seeds, dark leafy greens, fortified cereals, eggs, fruits, especially bananas and melons, among others are great sources of iron.

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