Anemia in Pregnancy

Definition

Anemia is a low level of healthy red blood cells (RBC). RBCs carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. When red blood cells are low the body does not get enough oxygen.

Liquid blood and plasma increases by about 50% during pregnancy but RBCs only increase by about 30%. This imbalance may lead to anemia.

Red Blood Cells

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Causes

The most common cause of anemia in pregnancy is a low level of iron. Iron is the mineral that makes hemoglobin. During pregnancy, your iron requirements increase If this need is not met or if your iron stores are low, you may develop anemia.

Other less common causes of anemia in pregnancy include:

• Deficiency of folic acid or vitamin B12, the vitamins that produce red blood cells
• Loss of blood due to injury, bleeding ulcer, or bleeding hemorrhoids
• Abnormalities in the genes for the hemoglobin protein that results in less or poorly functioning hemoglobin

Risk Factors

Factors that may increase your chance of getting anemia in pregnancy include:

• Anemia before pregnancy
• Very heavy menstrual flow before pregnancy
• Morning sickness with frequent vomiting
• Pregnancies that are close together
• Carrying twins or multiples
• A diet that is low in iron
• Abnormal hemoglobins (more common in individuals of African, Mediterranean, Southeast Asian, or West Indian ethnicity or descent)

Symptoms

Anemia might not cause any symptoms. If symptoms do occur they may include the following:

• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Lightheadedness or fainting
• Pale skin, especially the palms of the hands, lips, nails, and eyelids
• Rapid heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Cravings for non-food items such as clay, ice, and paper

Diagnosis

Your practitioner will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Your practitioner will test your blood for anemia at your first prenatal visit. It will also be tested again late in the second trimester or early in the third trimester.

Your practitioner will look at the following:

• Hematocrit level—the percentage of red blood cells in your blood compared to total blood volume
• Hemoglobin level—the amount of hemoglobin in your blood

Other characteristics of your blood will be examined to look for any specific causes of your anemia.

Treatment

The treatment for anemia in pregnancy depends on the cause of the anemia. Dietary changes usually are not enough. Treatment options include:

Prevention

To reduce your chances of anemia in pregnancy, take these steps:

• Seek early prenatal care.
• Take a prenatal vitamin containing iron, as prescribed by your practitioner, from the beginning of pregnancy.
• Eat foods that are high in iron including red meat, poultry, pork, shellfish, beans, iron-fortified breads and cereals, dried fruits, and leafy green vegetables.
• Eat foods that contain folic acid including whole grains, wheat germ, broccoli, beans, orange juice, and leafy green vegetables.