A zillion questions pop in the head as soon as you get the good news. What should I eat? What should I avoid? Work life balance? Should I reduce my workouts? Lamaze classes near me? Phew! The questions don't stop pouring in.
Amidst this, an important point to take care of is your health - physical, mental, and emotional.
And at the core of all this is another important aspect - avoiding the risks of being anemic.
If you're on your journey to having a baby soon, then this article is for you to help understand the definition, risks, and prevention of anemia in pregnancy.
Definition and understanding anemia in pregnancy
Medically, anemia occurs when you don't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to your body's tissues. As high as 62.3% of pregnant women suffer from this condition worldwide.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms during your pregnancy, there's high probability that you might be anemic -
· Excessive tiredness
· Dizziness when standing up quickly
· Paler looking skin (than usual)
· Shortness of breath
· Frequent headaches
· Irregular heartbeats
How can anemia be dangerous in pregnancy?
Anemia during pregnancy can pose risks to you and your child.
For women, untreated anemia can lead to complications such as extreme fatigue, difficulty in coping with the physical demands of pregnancy and labor, an increased risk of developing postpartum depression, etc. Severe anemia may also require blood transfusions.
Anemia in pregnancy can also result in reduced oxygen supply, affecting your baby's growth and development. This can lead to low birth weight, premature birth, and an increased risk of developmental delays or complications after birth. Additionally, babies born to mothers with untreated anemia have a higher chance of experiencing health issues during infancy and childhood.
What causes anemia in pregnancy?
A few major reasons for anemia in pregnant women are -
· During pregnancy, your body needs more blood to support your growing baby. This increased blood volume requires higher levels of iron to produce an adequate number of red blood cells.
· As your baby develops, they also need iron for their own blood production. This further strains your body's iron reserves, increasing the risk of anemia if you don't consume enough iron-rich foods.
· Factors like vegetarian diets, certain medical conditions, or heavy bleeding during pregnancy can also put you at further risk.
How can you prevent and deal with anemia?
The good news is that you can take simple steps to prevent anemia and manage it -
· Eat iron-rich foods - Foods like lean meats, leafy green vegetables, beans (pinto, kidney, lentils, etc.), and fortified cereals (ensure to read packaging details for complete information) are rich in iron.
· Oral iron supplements - At times, your doctor may recommend taking iron supplements to meet your body's increased iron needs during pregnancy.
· Get regular prenatal care - Getting regular blood tests and seeing your doctor as soon as you notice a symptom is crucial to nip any problem in the bud. Your doctor can help with the management of anemia based on your pregnancy needs.
· Stay hydrated and active - Drinking plenty of water and taking adequate vitamins and minerals helps your body absorb iron better. Make sure to move around as well and do light workouts regularly to keep your body active.
· Rest and manage stress - Pregnancy can be tiring, so make sure to get enough rest and manage stress through meditation, music, etc., to keep your energy levels up.
In addition to these steps, consider looking into women's health insurance options to protect yourself and your baby from unforeseen medical emergencies, like Future Generali's HEALTH POWHER. It provides coverage and support for your maternity needs and help manage your medical needs without any stress during pregnancy.
