I am Dr. Vaishali Chavan, a senior gynaecologist and laparoscopic surgeon with 25 years of experience. we will discuss an essential topic in our high-risk pregnancy series – Anaemia during pregnancy. We will explore its diagnosis, necessary tests, dietary recommendations, and medical treatments.

What is Anaemia?

Anaemia during pregnancy is a condition where the expectant mother has a reduced amount of haemoglobin in her blood. Haemoglobin is crucial for carrying oxygen to the body’s tissues, and a decrease in its level can lead to several complications for both the mother and the baby. Therefore, treating anaemia is extremely important.

Diagnosing Anaemia in Pregnancy

The diagnosis of anaemia during pregnancy is primarily done through blood tests. These tests measure the haemoglobin levels and other parameters such as Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) and Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC). A comprehensive blood report also includes a peripheral smear and indices that help in diagnosing the type of anaemia, such as iron deficiency anaemia.

In severe cases, additional tests like Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC), serum ferritin, and serum iron levels are performed to assess the body’s iron stores. Sometimes, tests for thalassemia or bone marrow aspiration may be needed in rare and severe cases.

Preventing and Treating Anaemia

The Role of Diet

Prevention is the Best Treatment: Maintaining good haemoglobin levels before pregnancy can help prevent anaemia during pregnancy.

A well-balanced diet is essential. Iron-rich foods are crucial, and incorporating green leafy vegetables like spinach, beetroot, and broccoli can significantly help. These vegetables are excellent sources of iron. Additionally, Vitamin C enhances iron absorption, so adding citrus fruits like oranges, mosambi (sweet lime), and amla (Indian gooseberry) to your diet is beneficial. For instance, squeezing a bit of lemon juice into your tomato or spinach soup can improve iron absorption.

Iron-rich foods should be paired with other dietary components like jaggery and groundnut chikki (a type of sweet made from groundnuts and jaggery). Dates, dry fruits, especially figs, are also excellent sources of iron. For those who consume non-vegetarian food, organ meats like liver are high in iron content.

Importance of Proteins: Haemoglobin has two parts – heme and globin. While heme is iron, globin is a protein. Hence, consuming an iron-rich diet along with protein is vital. Vegetarian sources of protein include sprouts, dal (lentils), and milk. Non-vegetarian sources include eggs, chicken, and fish.

Cooking Tips: Cooking food in iron utensils can increase the iron content of the food, thereby helping improve haemoglobin levels.

Medications and Supplements

The treatment of anaemia depends on its severity and the stage of pregnancy.

Mild Anaemia: If diagnosed early in pregnancy (around 12-13 weeks), there is ample time to correct it before delivery. In such cases, iron tablets are usually prescribed. The recommended dose is 60 mg of elemental iron, along with Vitamin C tablets to enhance absorption. Folic acid is also essential. Sometimes, anti-helminthic tablets are given to treat worm infestations, which can cause or exacerbate anaemia.

When taking iron supplements, certain combinations should be avoided. For instance, iron should not be taken with tea, coffee, or milk as they contain phytates and phosphates that hinder iron absorption. Similarly, iron and calcium supplements should not be taken together. It is best to take iron tablets with plain water, orange juice, or lemon sherbet for better absorption.

Moderate to Severe Anaemia: In cases where iron tablets are not well tolerated due to side effects like nausea, a metallic taste, or constipation, alternative tablets or intravenous iron may be prescribed. In severe cases, blood transfusions might be necessary.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed the importance of diagnosing and treating anaemia during pregnancy, focusing on dietary recommendations and necessary medical treatments. If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us. Stay tuned for more insights in our high-risk pregnancy series.

Contact Us

For more information or any queries, feel free to write to us or give us a call. It is vital to keep track of your health during pregnancy and ensure both mother and child remain healthy.

Stay informed and take care!