Causes and symptoms of low hemoglobin in pregnancy

Childbearing is the most amazing period in the life of every woman. However, often these 9 months are accompanied by a poor state of health. The main reason is a decrease in the level of hemoglobin. Low hemoglobin during pregnancy is found in almost all women. With this diagnosis, you should not panic, it is important to listen to the doctor's recommendations and comply with the diet. It is not necessary to concern this problem and it is too careless, as it can provoke serious problems.

• Briefly about reduced hemoglobin
• The main causes of low hemoglobin
• Low hemoglobin - symptoms of impairment
• Complications for the mother and the consequences for the child
• Preparations for increasing hemoglobin
• What to eat with reduced hemoglobin
• Preventive measures

Briefly about reduced hemoglobin

Hemoglobin is a special protein that is contained in red blood cells - red blood cells. It is by their number in the blood determines its norm. The main task is the transfer of oxygen to all cells and tissues of the body.

If a woman has a red body count below the permissible norm, then this pathology is called anemia or anemia. It is possible to accurately determine the amount of this blood component with the help of a special analysis, which must be passed in the laboratory.

Interesting! The need for iron in the body of the future mother in the first trimester increases by 16%, in the second - by 59%, in the third - by 67%.

Almost all women expecting a baby face a reduced level of red blood cells in their blood. Hemoglobin in a pregnant woman should be at least 110 g / l. However, if its level fell below the permissible mark, then this condition is called anemia. As a rule, this problem is successfully solved with the help of high-quality medicines and proper nutrition. If you do not treat anemia, it can be detrimental to the formation of the baby's future.

Important! The norm of hemoglobin in pregnancy is 110 g / l and higher.

During pregnancy, women have several degrees of severity of iron deficiency anemia, depending on the hemoglobin content:

• light degree (110-90 g / l);
• medium degree (90-70 g / l);
• a severe degree (below 70 g / l).

Determine the degree of reduced hemoglobin can be done using a special laboratory analysis. It must be handed over to all women who are expecting a child. Based on the findings, the doctor will recommend a treatment regimen and tell you what to do in this situation.

The main causes of low hemoglobin

Important! During pregnancy, the volume of circulating blood increases. Given this point, it is unequivocally to say that a decrease in hemoglobin at this time is the norm. However, if this figure is lower than 110 g / l, this indicates problems in the health of women, which may affect the development of the unborn child.

Before starting treatment, it is important to determine the root causes of this pathology. As a rule, physicians identify several main causes that affect the number of red blood cells:

• increase in the amount of blood, because the child has his own circulatory system;
• the development of the fetus reduces the level of iron in the mother's body, as the child requires more useful substances every day;
• multiple pregnancies;
• insufficient amount of vitamin B12, copper and zinc;
• taking certain medicines;
• problems with the digestive system;
• regular stressful situations;
• hormonal imbalance;
• toxicosis;
• exacerbation of chronic ailments.

Obviously, there are a lot of reasons for the development of this violation. Some of them are inevitable for every woman (for example, the baby's needs). Unfortunately, other root causes need to be eliminated. Achieve good results can only be through medication.

Low hemoglobin - symptoms of impairment

Reduced number of erythrocytes in the plasma is not always clearly manifested. When the iron level begins to decrease, the woman feels unpleasant symptoms. However, they are not specific only for anemia. The main signs of low hemoglobin are difficult to recognize, as the condition worsens and is accompanied by the following common symptoms:

• pallor of the skin, up to cyanosis (cyanosis);
• dizziness;
• weakness and drowsiness;
• dyspnea;
• fainting;
• nails become brittle and begin to separate;
• hair loss;
• Cracks appear in the corners of the mouth;
• heart rate increases;
• there is a noise in the ears;
• insomnia;
• dry skin;
• perversion of taste and smell - there is a desire to eat unaccustomed products;
• regular constipation.

Not necessarily a woman will feel all of the above symptoms. It can be disturbed by only a few unpleasant conditions. However, it is important to inform the doctor about this, since these may not necessarily be signs of anemia.

Complications for the mother and the consequences for the child

Unfortunately, many women are not serious about lowering hemoglobin. However, an insufficient number of red blood cells in the body can lead to serious consequences for the future mother and development of the baby. Physicians identify the main complications that are usually observed:

• delay in fetal development;
• premature delivery;
• the possibility of detachment of the placenta, which can provoke the death of the child and mother;
• intrauterine death of a child;
• bleeding;
• infectious diseases after childbirth;
• problems during lactation.

Preparations for increasing hemoglobin

To restore the rate of red bodies in the plasma, doctors recommend taking medications, which contain iron. Thanks to taking medications, the hemoglobin level is restored. Typically, doctors recommend such drugs:

• Totem;
• Maltofer;
• Ferrum Lek;
• Tardioferon;
• Sorbifer Durules.

Do not self-medicate and choose the medication yourself. All medicines should be prescribed only by a doctor. The specialist takes into account the individual characteristics of the patient, the course and duration of pregnancy, as well as the nature of the pathological process.

What to eat with reduced hemoglobin

Important! How to increase hemoglobin by proper nutrition? Drug treatment is always important to supplement with proper nutrition. Together, these actions give the best result and normalize the number of red blood cells.

Unfortunately, only with the help of products it is impossible to fill the necessary level of iron. However, this does not mean that such products do not generally benefit. The daily diet should include products that increase hemoglobin during pregnancy:

• meat;
• liver;
• various types of fish;
• eggs;
• grenades and apricots;
• spinach;
• peaches;
• beet.

In the body of a woman from products of animal origin, about 5-6% of iron is retained and well absorbed. Of vegetables and fruits that contain iron, only 0.2% of this necessary component is digested.

Preventive measures

Prevention is the best remedy, since it helps maintain hemoglobin levels in the norm. All the rules are simple enough, but effective, so every woman who expects a child should know them. It should follow such recommendations:

• regularly spend time in the fresh air;
• it is important to take vitamins for pregnant women throughout pregnancy;
• try to minimize stress and conflict situations;
• give preference to proper and balanced nutrition;
• enough rest;
• take folic acid.

Simple advice will help maintain the level of hemoglobin in the norm. If the number of red bodies has decreased, then it is necessary to follow the doctor's recommendations and take effective medications. If you follow the appointments of specialists, pregnancy will go smoothly, and a healthy baby will appear.