Iron deficiency for pregnant women: symptoms, causes and treatment
During pregnancy, pregnant women are more vulnerable to health problems, and among these problems is the problem of iron deficiency for pregnant women, which may occur due to iron deficiency anemia. Follow us in this article to learn about the most important symptoms of the condition, and how it can be treated in this article.
Symptoms of iron deficiency for pregnant women
The symptoms of iron deficiency may not be clear in some pregnant women, especially since some of the symptoms of iron deficiency may be similar to some of the normal symptoms of pregnancy, but the symptoms of iron deficiency can be:
- Decreased energy levels, and thus the inability to perform activities normally.
- Feeling exhausted, tired and weak.
- The emergence of a state of shortness of breath, and the situation appears clearly when making some effort.
- Pale coloration, especially in the nails and eyelids.
- Craving to eat some exotic things.
And the symptoms of iron deficiency anemia can worsen to affect the heartbeat and increase the pulse rate, in addition to the incidence of low blood pressure.
Causes of iron deficiency during pregnancy
The reason for the appearance of iron deficiency for a pregnant woman may be an increase in the volume of blood inside the body, and as a result of this increase, the body needs more iron so that the blood can transport oxygen to the mother and fetus.
Although iron deficiency may be a common occurrence during pregnancy, an increase in iron deficiency can cause iron deficiency anemia, neglecting which may lead to serious complications for both the mother and the fetus.
Iron deficiency when pregnant in the eighth month
As we mentioned, iron deficiency increases due to an increase in blood volume, and the deficiency increases during the last months of pregnancy in particular due to an increase in blood volume by approximately 45%, so not consuming the required amounts of iron that the body needs means that you will suffer from iron deficiency anemia and its complications.
Effects of iron deficiency on pregnant women
Definitely, iron deficiency can affect your ability to live your life during pregnancy, as you cannot live your life due to exhaustion and fatigue, and its effect may extend to postpartum as well, as the mother may develop postpartum depression, in addition to the fact that the mother may have difficulty in Taking care of her newborn.
Does iron deficiency cause fetal abnormalities?
some wonder Does iron deficiency affect the fetus?? The answer is yes, as severe iron deficiency affects your fetus, as this deficiency leads to the possibility of your baby being born prematurely, in addition to:
- The possibility of the baby being born with a weight less than the normal weight.
- Anemia in the newborn.
- The emergence of breathing problems in the child.
- Problems in the child’s development may appear in the future, as the child grows slowly.
Some studies have shown that iron deficiency anemia may be a threat to the life of the child, because it increases infant mortality rates, whether immediately before or immediately after birth.
Treatment of iron deficiency for pregnant women
Usually, iron deficiency is treated for a pregnant woman according to the doctor’s instructions and according to the case. However, in severe cases, intravenous iron injections may be the solution. In normal cases, treatment is through changes in the diet and through medications.
Iron medication for pregnant women
Iron supplements are usually the first solution that the doctor resorts to in order to treat the problem, and the method and duration of treatment may vary according to the condition of the pregnant woman.
Food that raises iron quickly for pregnant women
One of the ways your doctor can help you raise your iron levels can be changing your diet, and this diet may include:
- Eat leafy green vegetables, especially spinach.
- eat meat
- Eat chicken liver.
- Eat legumes.
- Eat dried fruits.
Fruits that contain iron for pregnant women
Some fruits can help increase the iron content, because they are rich in it, and the most famous of these fruits are:
- plum.
- berries.
Eating some fruits rich in vitamin C can also help treat deficiency by increasing iron absorption. The most famous of these fruits are strawberries, kiwi and oranges.
And now, at the end of our article on the symptoms of iron deficiency for pregnant women and the most important reasons that lead to its occurrence, we remind you, dear, of the need to take care of the matter, consult your doctor, and listen to his instructions to avoid complications of the condition, while wishing you and your child all health and wellness.