Anaemia Risk During Pregnancy

By Alice Noman

In pregnancy haemoglobin level tends to decrease, since the fluids volume of the woman blood increases, so that more fluid carrying nutrients becomes available to the baby. A woman is considered anaemic when the haemoglobin level falls below 9gms/100ml.

Anaemia is more common in women who have pregnancies close together and also in women carrying twins or triplets.

What are the symptoms of anaemia during pregnancy?

# Tired most of the time

# Exhausted

# Irritable

# Weakness

# Over worked, even though doing little physical work

# Dizziness

# Paleness

# Shortness of breath

What can be done to avoid anaemia during pregnancy?

If you are anaemic, increase daily iron intake until the required hemoglobin level is reached. Add iron rich food (green cabbage leaves, cauliflower leaves, coriander leaves, jaggery, eggs, wholemeal bread and cereals etc.) in your diet or take iron tablets. Include folic acid (beans, muesli, broccoli, beef, Brussels sprouts and asparagus) in your diet along with vitamin B12.

Also eat a diet rich in vitamin C such as raw vegetables, potatoes, lemon, lime and oranges as all these are good sources of vitamin C.