In pregnancy, anemia is common because of the increase in blood volume to meet the demands of the growing fetus. Hemoglobin carries oxygen from the lungs through out the body.
Causes
Disordered red blood cell production (caused by low iron, malnutrition, or kidney failure) or destruction (caused by inflammation, sepsis or chronic infection) or excessive blood loss (bleeding hemorrhoids, intestinal parasites, placenta previa, premature placental separation, miscarriage, and post partum uterine atony and hemorrhage) can also cause anemia.
Iron deficiency is the most common cause. Foods rich in iron include liver and other organ meats, beef and chicken, green leafy vegetables, whole grains and legumes.
Symptoms
Symptoms are fatigue, shortness of breath with exertion, insomnia, pale skin color, palpitations, head ache, dizziness and rapid heart rate. These symptoms are a result of decreased available oxygen in the body. Anemia occurs when there is below normal levels of hemoglobin in the blood.
Treatment
You can increase the absorption of iron by drinking orange or tomato juice with your prenatal vitamin and when eating iron rich foods. Add iron to your spaghetti sauce by cooking it in an iron pot.
Treatment would include replacing the missing component such as iron, folic acid, and b12. For a hemoglobin level below 7 or 8, one or more units of packed red blood cells may need to be infused.
