Anemia during pregnancy is more common than most women realize. Your body needs significantly more iron during pregnancy to support your growing baby and increased blood volume. When your iron stores run low, both you and your baby can face serious health risks.
Understanding the signs and taking prompt action can make all the difference in having a healthy pregnancy and delivery.
Why Pregnancy Increases Anemia Risk
During pregnancy, your blood volume increases by up to 50% to nourish your baby. This means you need almost double the iron to produce enough hemoglobin for both you and your growing child.
By the second and third trimesters, your iron requirements jump from 18mg to 27mg per day, making deficiency much more likely if you’re not intentional about your iron intake.
Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
Extreme Fatigue and Weakness
While pregnancy naturally makes you tired, anemia takes it to another level. You feel completely drained, struggle to complete simple tasks, and may need to rest frequently throughout the day. This exhaustion doesn’t improve with sleep.
Pale Skin, Lips, and Nail Beds
Look at the inside of your lower eyelids, your lips, and under your fingernails. If these areas appear noticeably pale or almost white instead of pink, your hemoglobin levels may be low.
Dizziness and Lightheadedness
Frequent dizzy spells, especially when standing up quickly, or feeling faint during normal activities signal that your brain isn’t getting enough oxygen-rich blood.
Rapid or Irregular Heartbeat
Your heart works harder to pump oxygen throughout your body when you’re anemic. You might notice your heart racing even during rest or mild activity or feel unusual fluttering in your chest.
Shortness of Breath
Climbing stairs or walking short distances leaves you breathless. Activities that were easy before now make you feel like you’ve run a marathon.
Cold Hands and Feet
Despite warm weather, your extremities feel constantly cold because of poor circulation and reduced oxygen delivery to your tissues.
Frequent Headaches
Persistent headaches, especially in the front of your head, can indicate that your brain isn’t receiving adequate oxygen.
What to Do If You Suspect Anemia
Get Tested Immediately
Don’t wait or self-diagnose. Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider for a complete blood count test. This simple blood test measures your hemoglobin and hematocrit levels to confirm anemia and determine its severity.
Follow Your Doctor’s Treatment Plan
If diagnosed with anemia, your doctor will likely prescribe iron supplements. Take them exactly as directed, preferably on an empty stomach with vitamin C (like orange juice) to enhance absorption. Avoid taking iron with calcium, tea, or coffee as these interfere with absorption.
Increase Iron-Rich Foods
Add more iron-rich foods to your diet: red meat, poultry, fish, beans, lentils, spinach, and iron-fortified cereals. Pair plant-based iron sources with vitamin C-rich foods for better absorption.
Attend All Prenatal Appointments
Regular checkups allow your doctor to monitor your hemoglobin levels throughout pregnancy and adjust treatment as needed.
Watch for Severe Symptoms
If you experience severe shortness of breath, chest pain, severe weakness, or extremely pale skin, seek immediate medical attention.
Untreated anemia during pregnancy can lead to premature birth, low birth weight, postpartum depression, and developmental delays in your baby. The good news is that with proper diagnosis and treatment, most cases resolve completely, giving you and your baby the best chance at a healthy outcome.
Don’t dismiss pregnancy fatigue as normal. Trust your instincts and get checked if something feels wrong.