How to Prevent Anemia in Pregnant Women

Healthy Living - One disease that often occurs among pregnant women is anemia. The severity of anemia also varies so that it can affect the condition of the fetus and the mother. Therefore, prevention of anemia in pregnant women is needed so that the mother and fetus remain healthy.

Why anemia often occurs in pregnant women?

According to a journal titled Anemia in Pregnancy, anemia is a condition when your red blood cells lack hemoglobin. Hemoglobin itself is known as an oxygen-carrying protein in the blood.

Lack of hemoglobin in red blood cells results in a lack of oxygen in the body. You also become weak, headaches, to shortness of breath.

Anemia often occurs in pregnant women due to physiological changes that can affect hemoglobin levels.

In addition, the intake of nutrients and vitamins that pregnant women tend to be unbalanced can result in the body's iron deficiency so anemia finally occurs.

In addition to iron deficiency, several other causes of anemia in pregnant women include:

• Folate deficiency due to unbalanced diet
• Vitamin B12 deficiency due to not consuming enough dairy products, meat and eggs that cause unhealthy red blood cells.

Anemia in pregnant women certainly carries several risks that could potentially harm the mother and baby. Some that may be experienced if you have anemia during pregnancy, namely:

• Post-partum hemorrhage or excessive bleeding after childbirth
• Placenta previa or placental cords are located at the bottom of the uterus
• Premature birth
• Low birth weight
• Fetal death

Because of the various complications due to anemia during pregnancy that you certainly have to be vigilant and really pay attention to food intake.

Taking anemia prevention measures in pregnant women by adopting a balanced diet can help you avoid these complications.

Prevention of anemia in pregnant women

As reported by the Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program, one effective way to prevent anemia in pregnant women is taking iron supplements.

In addition, prevention of anemia in pregnant women can begin to be done by regulating eating patterns for the better, such as:

• Take folic acid and iron supplements. The dosage is based on instructions from the doctor, but it is generally recommended 60 mg of iron and 400 mcg of folic acid.
• Eating foods that contain high iron, such as meat, chicken, fish, eggs, and wheat.
• Eat foods that are rich in folic acid, such as dried beans, wheat, orange juice, and green vegetables.
• Take supplements and foods that contain vitamin C, such as fresh fruits and vegetables.
• It is not uncommon for pregnant women to struggle to get adequate iron intake, so they need iron supplements.

If iron supplements make your stomach uncomfortable, try to take them together with a few mouthfuls of food.

Efforts to prevent anemia in pregnant women is one step in having a healthy pregnancy. However, if you are still worried even though you have adopted a healthy diet and are taking supplements, it is better to consult with your doctor.

Your doctor will provide the right solution to help answer your concerns.

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