Anemia is a disease whereby the body lacks the ability to produce the appropriate amount of hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen) or the number of red blood cells. Red blood cells or red blood cells are one of the components of the blood system and hemoglobin is one of its main components.
As the red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen from one cell to another, the fact of having a small amount means that the body must work harder to obtain and transport the oxygen necessary for organs and tissues.
In pregnant women, anemia may appear to a different degree., especially from the 20th week of gestation.
Many pregnant women have some degree of anemia that is not harmful. But anemias caused by hereditary abnormalities in hemoglobin can complicate pregnancy, so blood tests are performed to detect these abnormalities in pregnant women.
In addition, to detect abnormalities in the hemoglobin of the fetus (a "normal" anemia will not affect you) a chorionic villus study or an amniocentesis can be performed.
Anemia during pregnancy increases the risk of diseases and even death of the newborn in the most serious cases (fortunately, they are the least). The fetus depends on the mother's blood and anemia can cause poor fetal growth, premature birth and a low birth weight baby.
In the mother also increases the possibility of diseases. In addition, it looks pale and the extra effort that the body has to make during pregnancy can cause the woman to feel more tired, decayed and perhaps irritable.
Let's see what are the types of anemias that can occur in pregnancy.
Types of anemias during pregnancy
Anemia Gravidarum. It occurs during pregnancy by increasing the blood volume of women by up to 50%. This causes the concentration of red blood cells in your body to dilute. It is not considered abnormal or dangerous except in cases where the levels decrease too much.
Iron deficiency anemia or iron deficiency anemia. Especially at the end of pregnancy the fetus uses the mother's red blood cells for growth. If the woman has a good "reserve" in the bone marrow, there will be no problems. But the baby may not see his needs met and if there is not enough iron stored, the mother notices that fault. Therefore, even before pregnancy, it is convenient to have adequate nutrition with iron-rich foods and prevent anemia due to the absence of this mineral.
Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia. This vitamin is important for the formation of red blood cells and the synthesis of proteins. As in the previous case, adequate nutrition that includes foods such as milk, meat, eggs ... can prevent vitamin B12 deficiency. Vegetarian women (by not eating food of animal origin) are more likely to suffer from deficiencies of this vitamin, and need supplements during pregnancy.
Anemia due to folic acid deficiency. Folate is a vitamin B that works with iron for the formation of blood cells. Folate deficiency during pregnancy is usually associated with iron deficiency. Also remember that folic acid reduces the risk of giving birth to a baby with certain birth defects. Therefore, a folic acid supplement is recommended before becoming pregnant and during pregnancy, as well as eating foods rich in this vitamin.
The two previous anemias receive the generic name of "megaloblastic anemia", resulting from the lack of vitamin B12, folic acid or a combination of both elements.
- A special case is that of women with sickle cell anemia, a blood disease that is inherited and causes chronic anemia and frequent pain. Sickle cell anemia It does not arise during pregnancy but the woman already has it, it is the product of a genetic anomaly. Today, women with this anemia who become pregnant have a high-risk pregnancy but fortunately with medical controls there are many possibilities to carry the pregnancy to fruition.
As we can see, in many cases anemia depends on the lack of essential nutrients, so the pregnant woman must know that it is important to have adequate and balanced nutrition before and during pregnancy.
However, as a precaution and especially to ensure the presence of folic acid, they are usually recommended vitamin supplements that help anemia stay at bay and that the fetus grow healthy.
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In Babies and more | Anemia in pregnant women, During pregnancy, keep anemia at bay, Diseases that can complicate pregnancy: hypertension
