Iron deficiency in the body results in anemia.
Iron deficiency or anemia is common in women mainly due to their monthly cycle.
When planning to conceive, iron levels should be checked to prevent future
complications. Iron levels are determined by different tests. Iron levels
should be normalised before conceiving. This can be achieved by a healthy diet.
Read on to know how to prevent anemia.
In simple terms anemia
refers to iron deficiency in the body. When you decide to become pregnant, it
is important that you ensure that your body has enough iron as the fetus will
require a good amount of iron for its development. Even if the mother does not
have adequate amount of iron, the fetus will ensure that its requirement is
fulfilled, thereby depleting the mother of her iron reserves. The mother is
therefore required to provide this essential nutrient and also maintain her
health.
Iron is Important
It has been studied that the fetus begins to draw on the mother’s reserves
by the time it is twenty weeks old. Thus in case of iron
deficiency, the baby will also become anemic and its growth process will be
hindered. It is very essential that the iron level of the mother-to-be is
checked under the following conditions:
- If you are planning a pregnancy in quick succession
- If you are undergoing multiple pregnancies
- The iron content of your diet is low and the regular vitamin intake is also low
- If you suffer from any disorder that hinders the absorption of essential minerals
- If you are prone to having a heavy menstrual flow
- If you are on anticonvulsant drugs
- If you have a habit of smoking or excessive alcohol consumption
In the above conditions, it is well possible that the woman ends up having
18-27 grams of iron deficiency on each day of her pregnancy calendar. The
situation gets further complicated if the woman fails to intake enough
quantities of Vitamin B12 and folic acid. These general requirements becomes
more essential if there is a regular blood loss or the woman happens to suffer
from a disease like sickle cell which in turn leads to anemia after the woman
conceives.
How Does Anemia
Affect Pregnancy?
Iron deficiency can lead to a wide array of complications
during the pregnancy trimesters.
Apart from affecting the development of the fetus, it can –
- Result
in a preterm labour
- The
post partum hemorrhage can be acute and even fatal
- The
anemic condition can worsen post delivery
- The baby
can be born with a low birth weight
- The
baby will be extremely susceptible to various infections right after
delivery due to lack of immunity
- The
fetus will have a retarded growth right in the mother’s womb
How is Anemia
Diagnosed?
First of all it is important that you ensure your iron
content in your regular diet is adequate. Especially when you are planning a
conception it is doubly essential that you keep a good note of your iron
levels. Clinically, anemia is tested by the following methods:
- The
blood count or the hemoglobin levels are checked. This also includes the
RBC or red blood cell count and hematocrit.
- The
serum folate levels
- Serum
ferritin levels
- Serum
iron levels
- Peripheral
blood smears
Tips for Gaining
Healthy Iron Levels
There are simple ways in which you can ensure that the iron
levels are healthy.
Before planning pregnancy and more so after you are
confirmed that you are suffering from iron deficiency, you simply just need to
take note of your regular diet. Often this need to be accompanied with some
simple medications and you are sorted out. Ensure that your diet contains the
following:
- Lots
of green leafy vegetables; spinach is very rich in iron, broccoli is
another healthy option
- Dry
fruits like apricot, prune and raisin
- Varied
cereals along with pasta and bread
By making sure that the above items are included in your
diet, you can gain health iron levels for overcoming anemia. However, you
should also consult your doctor and find out if you are following a healthy
diet plan for overcoming iron deficiency.
