Anemia is a condition characterized by a decrease in the level of hemoglobin in the blood, as well as a decrease in red blood cells per unit volume of blood. Anemia and pregnancy are very related phenomena, as anemia is diagnosed most often in future mothers. And this condition arises because a growing fetus requires more and more iron, and takes it, as is known, from the blood of its mother.
Symptoms of anemia in pregnant women
Depending on the degree of anemia, it can either not manifest itself in any way (anemia of 1 degree), or be accompanied by general weakness and fatigue, dizziness and dyspnea. In extremely serious forms, a pre-fainting and fainting condition may appear.
Anemia of 1 degree during pregnancy is often recognized only during a blood test. More serious forms of anemia, complicated by problems of the cardiovascular system, can be manifested by rapid heart rate and exacerbation of coronary heart disease.
In addition to anemic symptoms, sideropenic symptoms sometimes appear. They are obvious signs of iron deficiency anemia: dry and pale skin, the appearance of cracks on the lips, yellow coloring of the skin under the nose, increased skin peeling, "seizures" in the corners of the mouth, dryness, brittleness and increased hair loss, possible urinary incontinence.
Also it is worth paying attention if a woman has "perverted tastes". In case of anemia, a pregnant woman may start eating chalk, raw vegetables and other foods that she has not previously experienced addiction.
Anemia: severity assessment
Since symptoms in cases of mild anemia in pregnancy may be absent, it is important to recognize the disease in time to prevent its progression. Determining the degree of anemia from clinical manifestations is incorrect, therefore, usually a laboratory study of the blood of a pregnant woman is conducted for this.
Deciphering the results of a blood test for hemoglobin:
- anemia of 1 degree - the level of hemoglobin decreases by more than 20% of the norm;
- anemia 2 degrees - the hemoglobin content is reduced by 20-40% of the norm;
- anemia of the 3rd degree is the most severe form, when hemoglobin decreases more than 40% of the norm.
Causes of anemia in pregnancy
The iron that comes with food is absorbed into the blood. But not all of 100%, but only 10-20, while all the rest is deduced along with the calves. The iron that is assimilated, begins to be spent on various processes - respiration of tissues, formation of red blood cells and so on. Part of the iron is simply lost along with exfoliation of the skin, loss of blood, hair loss and other natural processes.
Even if a woman is not pregnant, the loss of iron is almost equal to his intake because of menstruation. During pregnancy, the consumption of iron increases many times, because you need to feed and grow an additional body - your child. During the entire period of pregnancy a woman squanders almost all her iron stock. And, given the modern rhythm of life and the quality of nutrition, it is very, very difficult to replenish it. As a result, the mother's body begins to suffer from anemia. If the process is not stopped in time, it can lead to serious consequences.
Consequences of anemia of 1 degree in pregnancy
Even the initial stage of the disease does not pass without consequences. In the absence of clinical occurrences, grade 1 anemia can not but affect the development of the fetus. The child in the womb suffers because of oxygen starvation. It is caused by a violation of the functionality of the placenta and the formation of placental insufficiency due to lack of iron in the blood. In more complex forms
Nutrition for Anemia in Pregnant Women
In the diet of a pregnant woman, products rich in iron must be abundant. These are chicken eggs (especially yolks), liver, tongue and heart (veal or beef), turkey meat, dairy products, apricots, cocoa, almonds, apples and other products.
If a pregnant woman has 1 degree of anemia, in addition to complying with a special diet, iron preparations should be taken so that she does not become more serious.