The world health organization (WHO) estimates that an average of 56% of pregnant women in developing countries is anemic. One of the critical problems that pregnant women may face is iron deficiency and its anemia which represents a risk factor for preterm delivery, prematurity and small for gestational age, birth, and weight. In some cases, your doctor may order some other tests to differentiate between different types of anemia.The pregnancy is a sensitive period in women life pregnant women should avoid any risk factor that can affect their health as well as the growth and development of their baby.
#Low hematocrit and hemoglobin in pregnancy professional
A healthcare professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm. A complete blood count is another type of common test that measures the number and type of cells in your blood. You’ll be able to resume normal activities afterward.Ĭomplete blood count test. The process is not harmful, and you might only feel a small sting. A blood sample will be drawn with a needle from a vein. A hematocrit test measures the percentage of blood cells in your blood. It usually takes less than five minutes, and you may only feel a little sting when the needle goes in and out. They will collect a small amount of blood into a test tube or vial. A healthcare professional will draw blood from a vein in your arm using a small needle. If you have low hemoglobin during pregnancy, it is a sign that you have anemia. A hemoglobin test measures the amount of hemoglobin in your blood. The most common blood tests that can detect anemia include: Even if you don’t show signs of anemia during the first trimester, your doctor might recommend that you get re-tested in your second or third trimester. Your doctor will perform a routine blood test to check for anemia at your prenatal appointments. A vitamin B12 deficiency during pregnancy can lead to preterm labor. Foods rich in vitamin B12 include dairy products, eggs, fish, meat, and poultry. In B12- or B9-deficiency anemia, red blood cells are big (that is why it is also called megaloblastic anemia) and have a different shape than healthy ones. Vitamin B12 also plays a very important role in making red blood cells. If left untreated, folate deficiency can lead to birth defects such as neural tube abnormalities, congenital heart defects, low birth weight, and also peripheral neuropathy in mothers-to-be. When pregnant women don’t get enough folate from their diets, their bodies struggle to produce enough red blood cells. The vitamin is found naturally in foods like green leafy vegetables and citrus fruits. Folate is a water-soluble vitamin that the body needs to produce new cells, including red blood cells. Another common type of anemia in pregnancy is folate-deficiency anemia.
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When there’s not enough iron in the body, you may experience fatigue and be less able to fight off infections. Women who don’t have enough red blood cells stored up can develop iron-deficiency anemia. If the mother has excess red blood cells stored in her bone marrow, then the baby can use those. During pregnancy, the fetus uses the mother’s red blood cells to grow and develop. Seventy-five percent of all anemia in pregnant women is iron-deficiency anemia.
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It’s the leading cause of anemia in the United States and the most common type of anemia during pregnancy. It’s been estimated that 15–25 percent of all pregnant women experience iron deficiency. Several types of anemia can appear in pregnancy.