Anemia during pregnancy

An inadequate level of hemoglobin during pregnancy. Hemoglobin is the protein inside red blood cells that carries oxygen to body tissues.

• Breathlessness.
• Tiredness, weakness or fainting.
• Paleness.

• Palpitations or an abnormal awareness of the heartbeat.
• Inflamed, sore tongue.
• Nausea.
• Headache.
• Forgetfulness.
• Jaundice.
• Abdominal pain.

• Poor diet with inadequate iron.
• Folic-acid deficiency anemia.
• Loss of blood from bleeding hemorrhoids or gastrointes- tinal bleeding.
• Excess cooking of food, which destroys available iron and other nutrients.
• Even if iron and folic-acid intake are sufficient, a pregnant woman may become anemic because pregnancy alters the digestive process. The unborn child consumes some of the iron or folic acid normally available to the mother's body.

• Poor nutrition, especially multiple vitamin deficiencies.
• Smoking, which reduces absorption of important nutrients.
• Excess alcohol consumption, leading to poor nutrition.
• Medical history of any disorder that reduces absorption of nutrients.
• Use of anticonvulsant drugs.
• Previous use of oral contraceptives.

• Eat foods rich in iron, such as liver, beef, whole-grain breads and cereals, eggs and dried fruit.
• Eat foods high in folic acid, such as wheat germ, beans, peanut butter, oatmeal, mushrooms, collards, broccoli, beef liver and asparagus.
• Eat foods high in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits and fresh, raw vegetables. Vitamin C makes iron absorption more efficient.
• Take prenatal vitamin and mineral supplements, if they are prescribed.

Usually curable with iron and folic-acid supplements by mouth or by injection.

• Premature labor.
• Dangerous anemia from normal blood loss during labor, requiring blood transfusions.
• Increased susceptibility to infection after childbirth

• If the tongue is red and sore, rinse with warm salt water 3 or 4 times a day. Use 1 teaspoon salt to 8 oz. warm water.
• Brush teeth with a soft toothbrush.

• You have symptoms of anemia during pregnancy.
• The following occur during treatment:
  • Diarrhea.
  • Nausea.
  • Abdominal pain.
  • Constipation.
  • Bleeding, however slight, from any source.