Anemia in pregnancy can cause fatigue, weakness, headaches, cold hands and feet, pale skin, chest pain, and irritability. Low iron levels are the leading cause, and tests are usually done during pregnancy to check for anemia. Precautions include taking prenatal vitamins and eating iron-rich foods.
Symptoms of anemia in pregnancy can range from none to severe. As the condition progresses, those affected by the condition may start to notice fatigue, weakness, and headaches. Other symptoms of anemia in pregnancy include cold hands and feet, pale skin, chest pain, and irritability.
Anemia is diagnosed when a woman has a low level of red blood cells. During pregnancy, this is of particular concern because red blood cells help carry oxygen to both the mother and the developing fetus. The test is usually completed during pregnancy to check for anemia.
There are various causes of developing anemia in pregnancy. For pregnant women, low iron levels are the leading cause of anemia. Other causes include illnesses and diseases, such as sickle cell anemia.
During the early stages of pregnancy, a woman may not know she has anemia. Symptoms may not be present, and tests may not confirm anemia. As your baby begins to develop and requires more blood and oxygen, symptoms may begin to emerge.
Symptoms begin to become apparent as the body tries to compensate for the increased need for blood and oxygen. This includes symptoms such as fatigue and weakness. Those in the early stages of pregnancy anemia or those with severe anemia may also start to experience headaches.
Other symptoms may become more apparent as the condition progresses. This includes the possibility of cold hands and feet due to lack of circulation and shortness of breath due to lack of oxygenated blood being delivered to the lungs. Additional symptoms include pale skin, rapid heart rate, and chest pain.
The diagnosis of anemia is usually made during routine tests during pregnancy. Those planning to get pregnant can be tested during a prenatal exam to check for anemia. Women who are already pregnant should be tested for anemia between weeks 24 and 28 of her pregnancy. The tests can help identify those with anemia and allow them to make corrections to help prevent the risks associated with anemia in pregnancy. These risks include low birth weight and preterm birth.
Various precautions can be taken to help limit the chances of developing anemia and the associated symptoms and risks. Taking a prenatal vitamin can help limit the chance of experiencing low iron levels during pregnancy. Additionally, a diet rich in iron will also help prevent anemia from developing. Iron-rich foods include oatmeal, spinach and nuts.
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