Pregnant women should know how to do anemia treatment during pregnancy. It is important because being anemic while pregnant will lead to the risk of fetal development disorders, premature birth, low birth weight and also became risk in death due to postpartum hemorrhage.
Anemia or low iron often occurs in pregnant women because of physiological changes that could affect the level of red blood cells or hemoglobin. The blood volume in the body during pregnancy increases so it takes more iron and folic acid.
Moreover, unbalanced nutrition and vitamin intake of pregnant women also triggers low iron during pregnancy. Generally, in pregnant mother who experience morning sickness, nutritional intake becomes very less.
Unfortunately, because the symptoms of anemia in pregnancy is common like fatigue and dizziness, this condition often ignored by pregnant mother and it can cause severe anemia in pregnancy.
Prevent the anemic while pregnant can be execute by fulfill the need for iron and folic acid to encourage the production of red blood cells. Check out the following tips about anemia treatment in pregnancy:
1. Take Vitamins or Iron Supplements and Folic Acid
Taking additional supplements during pregnancy is strongly recommended. Especially to pregnant mother who experience morning sickness are difficult to eat and fulfill nutritional needs become less. It became the triggers of low iron in pregnancy.
Pregnant mother can get additional iron and folic acid supplements at pharmacies. But it is better to consult first with the doctor. Generally, the recommendation is 60 mg of iron and 400 mcg of folic acid as iron deficiency anemia treatment.
2. Increase Intake of Iron-rich Foods
Protein foods such as meat, fish, eggs, nuts and seeds have high iron. Besides foods sourced from green vegetables such as spinach, cereals and wheat are also recommended as healthy food for pregnant women.
Consumption of foods with iron content is the easiest way to overcome low iron and as anemia treatment in pregnancy.
3. Increase Consumption of Food with Vitamin C
Vitamin C has the benefit of helping the absorption of iron in the body. Therefore, it is also effective to prevent anemic while pregnant.
Vitamin C is mostly obtained from fresh fruits such as oranges, kiwi, strawberries, tomatoes and so forth. You can eat them directly, or make a juice and smoothies!
4. Avoid Drinking Coffee and Alcohol
If vitamin C helps iron absorption, then coffee and alcohol are just the opposite. Both of these drinks can inhibit the ability of iron absorption in the body. It is precisely to trigger anemia.
Pregnant women should limit the consumption of these two types of drinks for the sake of baby in womb.
Notes from DeveHealth:
Anemia treatment in pregnancy can be carry out easily with a balanced nutritional intake and avoid drinking coffee and alcohol.
Nowadays, it highly advised to do anemia prevention before pregnant. For teenagers, it is better to do the prevention as well!
