What is anemia in pregnancy?
One speaks of anemia when the proportion of red blood cells (erythrocytes) in the blood is reduced. The haemoglobin, i.e. the red blood pigment, can also be reduced, which also indicates anaemia. Women often suffer from anaemia, especially during pregnancy. The main reason for this is that the body has an increased need for iron and blood during pregnancy. If blood production is not yet adapted to the new requirements, anemia can quickly develop during pregnancy.
The causes
The causes of anaemia during pregnancy are manifold. The most common reason is the increased need for red blood cells (erythrocytes) and red blood pigment (haemoglobin). Consequently, the body’s iron requirement is also increased.
If the diet is not adjusted quickly enough to the corresponding requirement, a deficiency of erythrocytes and haemoglobin quickly occurs, resulting in anaemia. A reduction in iron storage can also be a reason for anaemia during pregnancy. If the body does not succeed in storing enough iron, it cannot be used to build up the red blood pigment.
This in turn cannot be used to form the red blood cells, which leads to anaemia. In rare cases, blood loss also plays a role in the development of anaemia. However, this type of anaemia is more common in non-pregnant women, as the monthly menstrual period can lead to increased blood losses, which can lead to anaemia. If an increased number of red blood cells are broken down in the spleen during pregnancy, this leads to a reduced survival time of these erythrocytes. As a result, the total amount of red blood cells is reduced, which can also lead to anaemia.
The symptoms of anemia
Anemia in pregnancy initially manifests itself through very unspecific symptoms. These are usually explained by the low amount of red blood cells and red blood pigment. The red blood pigment (haemoglobin) is responsible for oxygen transport in the blood.
It absorbs oxygen from the lungs and transports it to the organs of the body. If there is an anaemia during pregnancy, the oxygen supply to the organs is reduced. This leads to increased fatigue (low supply to the brain) and a performance weakness (reduced supply to the muscles).
Shortness of breath and heart complaints during exercise can also indicate anaemia. They point to an overload of both organs – the heart and the lungs. They are particularly important for supplying the body with blood and oxygen.
Due to the reduced amount of red blood pigment, affected persons also often appear pale. During pregnancy, anaemia can also cause discomfort for the child. This can become noticeable, for example, by a restlessness of the child. Symptoms of anaemia?
