One of the most common medical complications during pregnancy is that of anaemia. Fortunately, if the disorder is diagnosed early in pregnancy it can be successfully treated with few complications to mother and developing fetus.
Anaemia during pregnancy
One of the most common types of anaemia during pregnancy in Anguilla is that due to iron deficiency. There are other causes of anaemia during pregnancy. In Anguilla, folate deficiency is another common cause of anaemia during pregnancy as well as sickle cell disease anaemia.
Iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy
Pregnant women are at an increased risk of iron deficiency anaemia, a condition in which you do not have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to the body’s tissue.
Your body uses iron to make haemoglobin – a protein in the red blood cells that carries oxygen to your tissues. During pregnancy, you need double the amount of iron that nonpregnant women need. Your body needs this iron to make more blood to supply oxygen to your developing fetus. If you do not have enough iron stores or get enough iron during pregnancy, you could develop iron deficiency anaemia.
It is normal to have mild anaemia when you are pregnant, but more severe forms might be due to lack of iron and other reasons. Heavy periods prior to pregnancy is a common cause of iron deficiency anaemia.
What are the risk factors for iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy?
Women are at increased risk of developing anemia during pregnancy if they have the following:
• Have two closely spaced pregnancies
• Are pregnant with more than one baby
• Are vomiting frequently due to morning sickness
• Do not consume enough iron
• Have a heavy pre-pregnancy menstrual flow
• Have a history of anaemia before pregnancy
Symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy
Symptoms can include:
• tiredness and lack of energy
• shortness of breath
• noticeable heartbeats (heart palpitations)
• pale skin
Many of the symptoms of anaemia can occur in a normal pregnancy. If you are concerned about your level of fatigue, or any other symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider or obstetrician – and a diagnosis can be easily be made.
Prevention of iron deficiency during pregnancy
During pregnancy, a woman needs 27 milligrams of iron a day.
Good nutrition can prevent iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy. Dietary sources of iron include lean red meat, poultry and fish. Other options include iron-fortified breakfast cereals, prune juice, dried beans and pigeon peas.
The iron from animal products, such as meat, is most easily absorbed. To enhance the absorption of iron from plant sources, and supplements, use them with a food or drink high in vitamin C — such as orange juice, or tomato juice. Women who are not anaemic during pregnancy do not need extra iron supplementation especially in the first trimester when iron tablets are associated with constipation and other side effects.
Treatment
All pregnant women are encouraged to have regular prenatal visits with their midwife or obstetrician. If iron deficiency anaemia is discovered in the early stages of pregnancy often iron supplication is used to correct the anaemia.
If you have a history of gastric bypass or small bowel surgery, or are unable to tolerate oral iron, you might need intravenous iron administration.
If the anaemia is severe, or is not responding to iron supplementation, your obstetrician will arrange for other investigations – and might refer you to other specialist doctors for further management. The services of an haematologist might be required.
Complications of untreated iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy
Severe or untreated iron-deficiency anemia during pregnancy can increase the pregnant woman’s risk of having the following:
• A preterm or low-birth-weight baby
• A blood transfusion (if you lose a significant amount of blood during delivery)
• Postpartum depression
• A baby with anaemia
• A child with developmental delays
• More at risk of illness and infection – a lack of iron affects the immune system.
Conclusion
Iron deficiency anaemia is a common complication of pregnancy. In Anguilla, many women begin their pregnancy with low iron stores and pregnancy further increases their risks of developing iron deficiency anaemia. Iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy can make the pregnant woman feel weak and tired and, if not treated, can have negative effects for the pregnant woman and her developing fetus. Pregnant women who have regular prenatal visits can be easily identified by an experienced and qualified healthcare provider if they are anaemic. Once diagnosed this condition can be easily treated and complications prevented.
Ask Your Dr is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge MB BS DGO MRCOG is an obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor with over thirty-six years in clinical practice. Dr Brett Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 497 5928).
