Anemia in pregnancy: As soon as pregnancy is conceived, women’s health becomes quite challenging. As much as this moment is pleasant, it is also equally risky. Therefore, a mother should take special care of her health. Because, the health of the child depends on the health of the mother. In such a situation, the only formula to stay healthy is healthy lifestyle and eating habits. During pregnancy, it is the mother’s diet that sustains the child. Also, it keeps both mother and child away from problems. According to health experts, many changes occur in the body of women during pregnancy. The risk of many such diseases increases. A disease which is mentioned again and again during pregnancy, and is also considered very common. Its name is anemia. National Family Health Survey reports say that 6 out of 10 pregnant women in India are at risk of anemia.
Now the question is what is anemia? Why does the risk of anemia increase during pregnancy? What happens if anemia occurs during pregnancy? What will be the effect of anemia on the health of the unborn baby? What are its symptoms and prevention measures? The Gynecology and Obstetrics Department of AIIMS Rae Bareli is telling about this.
Why does the risk of anemia increase during pregnancy?
According to experts, the main reason for anemia during pregnancy is the increased demand for iron, folate and vitamin B12 in the body. Let us tell you that for the development of the baby and placenta, the amount of blood in the body increases by 20 to 30 percent. In such a situation the requirement of iron doubles. If there is not enough nutrition in the diet or there are repeated pregnancies, the risk of anemia increases.
What is anemia during pregnancy?
Dr. Jyotsna says that anemia is a condition where the level of hemoglobin in the blood of a pregnant woman becomes much lower than normal, due to which oxygen does not reach the entire body in the right amount. Generally, the condition of anemia is considered when you do not get sufficient amount of iron. If iron is not available then the level of hemoglobin in the blood will decrease and this deficiency of blood is called anemia.
What will happen if anemia occurs during pregnancy?
If there is not enough hemoglobin in the blood of a pregnant woman, then the body organs and tissues will get less oxygen than normal. The baby in the womb depends on the things and oxygen provided by the mother, hence it will not be good for its health. Although anemia can cause many harms to a baby’s health, the main harms include slow mental and physical development, irritability, constant fatigue, weakness, pale skin and rapid heart rate. If we talk about India, India is the country with the largest number of iron deficiency anemia among women.
What are the symptoms of anemia?
If a pregnant woman has anemia, she may face many problems. Such as feeling tired, weak or lacking in energy. Feeling short of breath, dizziness, headache. Irritability, leg cramps, hair fall, loss of appetite etc. These are some simple symptoms, through which any pregnant woman can find out whether she is suffering from anemia or not. Apart from this, keep consulting the doctor regularly.
What is the treatment for anemia?
Doctors say that as a treatment, pregnant women are advised to take iron supplements. It contains 0.5 grams of folic acid and 100 grams of elemental iron. This is said to be the ideal quantity. In general, taking vitamin C (such as drinking lemon water) along with a rich diet also helps in improving iron levels.