What should pregnant women eat to raise hemoglobin. What to do to increase hemoglobin during pregnancy: products, pills, general recommendations. Video: anemia in pregnant women - causes, symptoms, treatment

While carrying a baby, it is extremely important for pregnant women to get enough vitamins and other substances necessary for the health and proper development of the fetus and mother. If there is a lack of iron in the mother's body, then iron deficiency anemia, which is characterized by a low content of hemoglobin, and it is this substance that transports oxygen. Therefore, it is important to understand which foods increase hemoglobin during pregnancy.

Hemoglobin is a complex protein that is an essential component of the blood and is responsible for transporting oxygen supply to all body structures. Carriers of hemoglobin are red blood cells. In accordance with their number, they judge how much hemoglobin is contained in the body. This protein is extremely important, because it is necessary for the normal activity of all organic structures, as well as for the growth and full development of the fetus, so it can be argued that the health and even life of the baby depends on the hemoglobin level.

Therefore, it is important to monitor the indicators of this protein in order to eliminate the problem in a timely manner in case of deviations and take all necessary measures to increase hemoglobin.

Norms

Experts have established certain hemoglobin norms that are necessary for women carrying babies. It is considered normal if a pregnant woman has a hemoglobin level of about 120-160 g / l. At lower rates, anemia is diagnosed, popularly called anemia. I distinguish three degrees of complexity of anemia:

• Light form - 90-110 g / l;
• The average degree is 70-90 g / l;
• A severe anemic form is diagnosed when the hemoglobin level does not exceed 70 g/l.

In order for the level of this protein to always remain in a relative norm, a pregnant woman needs to consume about 15-18 mg of iron during the day. The best way to do this is to base your diet on iron-rich foods.

Symptoms of hemoglobin deficiency

From about the 20-week period, hemoglobin in pregnant women gradually falls, which forces them to solve problems with its deficiency in various ways. About half of all pregnant women face a lack of hemoglobin. In order to detect the problem in time, it is necessary to periodically take laboratory tests prescribed by the gynecologist. Although with hemoglobin deficiency, such vivid symptoms are observed that a woman herself may notice health problems. A characteristic sign of low hemoglobin is chronic fatigue and fatigue, midges flash before the eyes and dizziness disturbs, especially when standing up abruptly. Outwardly, in a pregnant woman with a low hemoglobin level, pallor of the skin and mucous tissues is noted, the lips are somewhat blue, and the skin becomes too dry.

The woman complains of insomnia and headaches, she is often troubled by constipation and shortness of breath, and extraneous tinnitus is unnerving. Such patients often experience fainting and palpitations, hair splits, and nails become brittle, inexplicable and strange taste deviations appear, for example, you want to gnaw lime or chalk, and someone can eat white clay.

Why does hemoglobin drop in pregnant women

The drop in hemoglobin levels is caused by various factors. The volume of circulating blood affects this indicator - the more it is, the lower the hemoglobin content. The child grows every day, absorbing more and more trace elements from the mother's body, including a huge amount of iron. Hemoglobin deficiency is especially characteristic for patients with multiple gestation or those who become pregnant shortly after the previous birth, when the body has not yet had time to fully recover. Also, iron deficiency anemia can be provoked by a deficiency of certain trace elements such as vitamins from the B group, in particular B12, as well as copper, zinc, folic acid and other components that are actively involved in the process of iron absorption. If their level is insufficient, then the amount of absorbed iron drops sharply. Therefore, the leading factor in the prevention of anemia is the correct and balanced diet of a pregnant woman.

The main reasons that provoke a lack of hemoglobin in pregnant women are:

1. Toxicosis in the early stages of gestation;
2. Constant stay in a stressful state;
3. Serious intraorganic pathologies such as hepatitis, heart disease or pyelonephritis;
4. The presence of dysbacteriosis;
5. Therapy with certain medications;
6. Short period of time between pregnancies. Gynecologists advise getting pregnant no earlier than 3 years after the previous birth, so that all the structures of the mother's body have time to fully recover.

Usually, iron deficiency symptoms begin to appear after the 20-week period, when the baby begins to consume more trace elements. And the lowest hemoglobin levels are observed at 32-34 weeks of gestation. In the last weeks of pregnancy, low hemoglobin contained in the mother's blood usually does not need treatment. His scores are self-aligning. Pathologically low rates, which were detected in the first two trimesters, can lead to fetal hypoxia, severe preeclampsia, and even outflow of amniotic fluid.

Reduced hemoglobin content provokes complications during delivery, such as insufficient labor, severe bleeding, premature birth, and even infant death. A baby may be born with a lack of weight, may not have resistance to infectious pathogens, etc.

Ways to improve

There are many ways to increase hemoglobin levels. The choice of recovery method is determined by the specific situation and the severity of the iron deficiency condition. With an initial, mild degree of insufficiency, gynecologists recommend raising the hemoglobin level by changing the diet, as well as observing the sleep and rest regimen, spending more time on walks. In severe iron deficiency, it is recommended to take medications.

Nutrition

One of the simple, but quite effective ways to restore hemoglobin levels is a healthy diet. The diet of a pregnant woman must necessarily differ in variety and the presence of a large number of vitamins. If laboratory tests have shown the presence of iron deficiency, then you need to include dishes in the menu that will contain a large amount of iron. Meat can boast of iron reserves, especially the liver, which contains up to 20 mg of iron per 100 g. There is also a high iron content in eggs - 7 mg. Moreover, iron is absorbed much better from animal products.

Rich in iron and some plant foods like buckwheat, lentils and peas. Nuts like almonds and pistachios also contain a lot of iron. Rich in iron and various greens - parsley and spinach, dill and dandelion leaves, tomatoes, etc. It is also recommended to eat more green apples, bananas, peaches and pomegranates, black currants or persimmons. But the absorption of iron components from food of plant origin is more difficult and longer.

Juices from red vegetables are useful, but in order for them to be fully digested and assimilated, it is recommended to cook them with pulp. Incredibly rich in iron walnuts, dark chocolate and mushrooms, seafood and caviar. Pharmacies sell hematogen, which also does an excellent job of increasing hemoglobin. Incredibly useful honey mixture with dried fruits and lemon, which is recommended to eat on an empty stomach.

So, we learned about products that increase hemoglobin during pregnancy. But there are other ways to increase the content of iron and hemoglobin. A variety of vitamins contribute to the absorption of trace elements. For example, B12. A similar vitamin substance is present in the composition of meat, eggs and dairy products. Perfectly helps the absorption of iron and the daily use of citrus fruits, fruits, berries.

There are many folk remedies that also help to replenish the content of a substance so important for the mother's body. These include a decoction of strawberry leaves, wine-nettle decoction, the use of dried fruits and vegetable juice from carrots, beets and apples. Before each meal, it is recommended to take a spoonful of honey, eating it with garlic.

Preparations

With a complex degree of hemoglobin deficiency, pregnant women are prescribed medications, the most popular of which are:

• Ferrum Lek;
• Sorbifer Durules;
• totem;
• Maltofer.

With moderate iron deficiency anemia, patients are prescribed syrups and capsules containing iron. If the degree of insufficiency is severe, then injectable preparations intended for intravenous administration are used. There are some rules for taking such medications. For example, they should not be eaten with dairy products or taken with tea, as they reduce the therapeutic effect of drugs. In addition, to increase efficiency, it is recommended to supplement the intake of iron-containing preparations with ascorbic and folic acid.

Folic acid helps iron from drugs and food to be fully absorbed by the body. If you like tea, then replace it with green varieties, and it is better to drink pomegranate juice, which also contributes to the rapid and complete absorption of iron.

What if hemoglobin is elevated?

Sometimes it happens that pregnant women have an increased level of hemoglobin. It is not at all necessary that this sign indicates alarming deviations. This is normal for the first trimester of pregnancy, and when the baby begins to actively grow and absorb incredible amounts of trace elements from the mother's body, the hemoglobin level will decrease. A sharp and short-term increase in hemoglobin is possible with physical activity.

Sometimes elevated hemoglobin levels can indicate which elements are missing in the pregnant body. Usually these substances are represented by folic acid, and vitamin B12. By the way, poor absorption of vitamin B12 is observed in the presence of gastrointestinal pathologies. In addition, an elevated hemoglobin level may indicate the development of cardiac and renal, intestinal and gastric pathologies. Sometimes the causes of increased hemoglobin lie in the mother's heredity. Such a condition is dangerous with possible thrombus formation, which is highly undesirable for a woman in position.

Due to high hemoglobin, blood thickens, which cannot circulate normally through the vascular passages. As a result, the fetus does not receive enough oxygen and the necessary nutrition, and persistent hypoxia is formed, which is dangerous for the baby. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically undergo tests for hemoglobin and other trace elements in order to correct their intake into the body in time. Then many problems can be avoided.

It would be useful for pregnant women to get acquainted with some features of the consumption of familiar products. For example, the liver, which is rich in iron, can be taken in limited quantities by pregnant women, and drinking pomegranate juice in exorbitant amounts contributes to constipation. It is categorically impossible to combine iron-containing foods with the use of foods rich in calcium, since the absorption of iron will be minimal.

Mommy should fully rest, walk more, provide moderate physical activity, then the pregnancy will proceed perfectly, and the baby will not lack oxygen and nutrition.

As practice shows, it is typical for half of all pregnant women. That is why it is so important to know how to increase it during the period of bearing a baby, because not all means are suitable for ordinary people in this situation. So, we will learn about the importance of supporting this substance in the blood of the expectant mother and ways to increase it.

In order to control all indicators of the state of health, it is recommended that pregnant women be observed by gynecologists. Regular testing helps prevent many problems, including maternal iron deficiency anemia. Today it is divided during pregnancy into three degrees:

1. Light. The hemoglobin index is at the level of 110-90 g/l.
2. Average. It is 90-70 g/l.
3. Severe degree with an indicator below 70 g / l.

During all three trimesters of gestation, a woman should eat a balanced diet. This also means the presence of rich products in her menu. It is this chemical element that allows you to maintain the desired level of hemoglobin in the blood of the expectant mother. Its main function is to deliver oxygen cells in the body to all organs and tissues for their healthy functioning. Considering that a woman consumes much more oxygen during the period of bearing a baby, the need for hemoglobin also increases. This means that the deficiency of this substance, which is diagnosed using a general blood test of a pregnant woman, is an indicator of a threat to the health of the fetus. And this is especially dangerous in the first trimester, when the organs and systems of the unborn child are laid.

What should a woman do, in what ways to prevent the problem?

First of all, we note that in this situation, chemical preparations that ordinary people can use will not work in any way.

They will raise hemoglobin a little, but still remain chemistry, unable to replace good nutrition. It is it that should be the source of iron in the mother's body.

So what foods are rich in iron? From the category of animal origin, these are veal, liver, beef and offal. In order for them to enter the body with a maximum of iron, they must be cooked immediately, and not bought for future use and frozen. It is important that different types of meat are components of a woman's daily diet. After all, this is not only the prevention of anemia, but also the saturation of the body with protein, which serves as a building material for the formation of the fetus.

From fruits, which also serve as a rich source of vitamins, it is recommended to use pregnant pomegranates and dried apricots and apples to increase hemoglobin. By the way, it is recommended to dilute the drink with boiled water in order to avoid an increase in acidity. Drink it twice a day.

Walnuts help to cope with iron deficiency in the body of a future mother. 4-5 cores per day will be enough. Perfectly raise hemoglobin buckwheat or oatmeal, boiled in milk with the addition of dried apricots. Buckwheat is the champion among all cereals in terms of iron content. And if the expectant mother does not love her, then you can simply grind it into powder and take it in this form twice a day for a teaspoon. By the way, the product perfectly helps pregnant women to fight heartburn.

Rich in iron and quail eggs, and sea kale, and legumes (soybeans, beans, peas).

Recommended with a lack of hemoglobin in the blood is also the use of oranges, citrus juice. They do not have as much iron as in the above products, but they are rich in vitamin C, which promotes the absorption of this substance by the body of the expectant mother.

As you can see, the abundance of iron-rich foods allows a woman to make up her diet in such a way that she does not constantly “sit” on one buckwheat or meat. Excessive consumption of one product will not bring benefits.

Another option to eliminate the problem of anemia in a future mother is the so-called vitamin bomb with a high iron content. This is a mixture of the same amount of walnuts, dried apricots, dates, raisins, figs. All components are passed through a meat grinder. To 0.5 kg of this composition is added the juice of one lemon and two tablespoons of honey. Store the "bomb" in a closed glass container and consume twice a day for a tablespoon. After a week of such reinforcement, you can go and take a blood test again. The result will not disappoint.

Specially for- Elena TOLOCHIK

During pregnancy, a woman's body changes dramatically in terms of metabolism.

The need for many micronutrients is growing dramatically, since a significant part of them goes to the development of the unborn child, and at the same time to the normalization of the hormonal background.

Research confirms that it is precisely against the background of inadequate nutrition of the mother that the newborn may develop anemia - a deficiency of hemoglobin in the blood.

How to prevent it? What foods should be included in the diet to normalize and raise the low hemoglobin of the expectant mother? What diet should be followed?

Why do pregnant women need to monitor hemoglobin?

Why does the human body need hemoglobin? It transports oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. That is, hemoglobin is an essential trace element for the proper functioning of the respiratory function.

The child, while in the womb, also has a need for oxygen, but he cannot breathe on his own - gas exchange takes place through the placenta along with the blood. What happens with a hemoglobin deficiency? In simple terms - the unborn child will have an oxygen deficiency.

In critical cases, oxygen deficiency in a child in the womb can lead to asphyxia and subsequent freezing of the fetus. That is why it is so important to monitor the level of hemoglobin - the normal course of pregnancy directly depends on this.

It is also worth mentioning that hemoglobin deficiency may also indicate a lack of B-group vitamins and. And this is fraught with an imbalance of sex hormones in the body of the expectant mother, which can cause self-abortion of the fetus (premature birth, when the body provokes them on its own, although the child has not yet fully formed).

The rate of content in the blood

The average hemoglobin in an adult non-pregnant woman is 139 grams per liter of blood. During pregnancy, this figure decreases slightly.

The following indications are not a deviation:

1. first trimester - 132 grams per liter;
2. second trimester - 120 grams per liter;
3. third trimester - 112 grams per liter.

Already after childbirth, the hemoglobin level returns to normal, but this will take from 1 to 6 months (the recovery period for each woman may vary, but after the birth of the first child it is longer than after the second and all subsequent children).

In the first trimester, in particular, for 2-3 months, hemoglobin may increase slightly, due to the cessation of menstruation. This is also a normal phenomenon and is not a deviation from the norm - such is the physiology of the female body.

Low Level Signs

A hemoglobin deficiency in a pregnant or nursing mother can manifest itself with a very wide list of symptoms, and for each woman their combination can be radically different.

The most common signs are as follows:

1. general weakness and;
2. the appearance of problems with the skin, nails, hair;
3. pale skin;
4. accelerated heartbeat (occurs with a significant deficiency of hemoglobin, when the body experiences oxygen starvation);
5. the emergence of an addiction to certain smells (most often - the smell of paint, gasoline, acetone, various types of solvents, synthetic adhesives, motor oil, exhaust gases, and so on);
6. a tendency to toxicosis (especially noticeable in the early stages of pregnancy);
7. signs of immunodeficiency (susceptibility to infectious diseases, manifestation of thrush, skin diseases, and so on);
8. decreased taste sensitivity (also often develops against the background of toxicosis).

But it should be borne in mind that often a hemoglobin deficiency is not accompanied by any symptoms at all. However, doctors still prescribe a blood test (almost every month) to monitor the level of hemoglobin in the blood of a pregnant woman.

General nutrition rules

For the fastest possible normalization of hemoglobin levels in the blood during pregnancy, it is necessary observe the following recommendations:

1. Provide enough iron for the body in the food you eat. In an adult, the daily norm is only 8-15 mg per day, in pregnant women it rises to 22-25 mg.
2. Ensure that the body receives a sufficient amount of B-group vitamins, omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids, ascorbic acid, sodium, potassium, silicon, zinc - all these trace elements increase the bioavailability of iron, that is, they help the body to absorb it normally (with a deficiency of the same folic acids, the body practically does not absorb iron).
3. Include foods and dishes with complex proteins in the diet - when digested, they break down into amino acids, which just enter into a biochemical reaction with iron, vitamins, after which a hemoglobin molecule is created.

Not all foods and drinks rich in iron and other essential trace elements are allowed to be consumed during pregnancy. For example, turmeric and parsley help to increase hemoglobin. But they also may act as antispasmodics on smooth muscle which also causes uterine contractions. Therefore, they should not be used during pregnancy.

8 iron foods

Below we will look at 8 iron-rich foods to include in the diet of people with low hemoglobin levels in the blood.

1. Beef

Beef is best for quickly restoring the balance of hemoglobin in the blood. It contains a whole chain of complex proteins, as well as iron, folic acid, minerals.

Look here.

2. Mushrooms

Dried porcini mushrooms are one of the most famous iron-containing foods that can be consumed in any quantity during pregnancy. Plus, they are easy to digest.

But there are not as many vitamins in them as in the same beef, so if mushrooms are eaten, then only ensuring sufficient intake of B-group vitamins, ascorbic acid(in almost 95% of cases, pregnant women are prescribed multivitamin complexes, which just include all these trace elements).

3. Seafood

Almost all seafood is rich in iron and omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids. The most effective in this regard are:

1. red fish;
2. oysters;
3. (salmon, salmon, sea bass, tuna and so on).

Pretty good at helping to raise hemoglobin also seaweed, brown algae- they are now also actively used in cooking. And artificial red and black caviar are also made from algae - you can try to include them in the diet (the taste of such caviar is significantly inferior to natural caviar).

4. Nuts

This, in particular, should include walnuts and pistachios - they contain omega-3 acids no less than red and black caviar.

Moreover, nutritionists advise not to use dried nuts, but those that have recently fallen from a tree - in such kernels. folate content is very high(it is contained in the film covering the walnut kernels). Peanuts, pine nuts, hazelnuts, hazelnuts are considered less useful in this regard.

See separate article.

5. Pomegranate, beetroot, carrot juices

Many . They contain both iron, and B-group vitamins, and iodine. The only caveat is You should not consume such juices in concentrated form.(especially for those women who often have an upset gastrointestinal tract during pregnancy).

Carrot juice contains a high dose of vitamin A. An excess of it can harm the unborn baby in the womb. Regarding the possibility of drinking such juice, you should definitely consult with the gynecologist with whom the woman was registered.

6. Legumes

Help in general normalize the biochemical composition of the blood and also get a small amount of iron, folic acid.

You should not abuse it, as legumes can cause intestinal dysfunction, as well as flatulence, and in rare cases, constipation.

7. Wheat bran

The bran itself is poorly digested, contains about 20 mg of iron per 100 grams(of which about 20 - 40% are digested). But bran helps to normalize the work of the gastrointestinal tract, prevent constipation.

8. Quail eggs

thanks to its composition. In particular, their yolks contain up to 8 mg of iron (per 100 grams of eggs on average). Chicken also has iron, but it also has bad cholesterol. And chicken eggs can cause salmonellosis infection.

It is also important to note that eggs should be consumed either fresh or soft-boiled (with minimal heat treatment). In this case, all nutritional properties are preserved.

What should be limited?

1. Pasta. In fact, this includes everything that is prepared on the basis of wheat flour (without bran).
2. Milk products. Almost all of them contain calcium in a sufficiently large amount, which impairs the absorption of iron. It's straight. This includes almost all varieties of cheeses, butter, sour cream, kefir, yogurt and other dairy desserts, condensed milk, fermented baked milk.
3. Proteins of chicken eggs. They also worsen the absorption of iron, preventing biochemical reactions with it with the participation of amino acids. Interestingly, the use of chicken proteins has practically no effect on the concentration of iron and folic acid (unlike dairy products and any others that contain calcium).

You should also give up greens during pregnancy. More precisely, you can include it in the diet, but in limited quantities. , dill, basil - all these foods are rich in vitamins and even iron, but they cause smooth muscle spasms, which is extremely dangerous in the early stages of pregnancy.

During this period, it is better to receive vitamins in the form of multivitamin complexes - this will be much safer for the expectant mother and child.

You can also raise hemoglobin with the following tips and tricks:

1. Include the following dessert in the diet: a mixture of dried apricots, raisins, walnuts. For cooking, you will need to take 50 - 60 grams of the above components, grind them with a meat grinder, coffee grinder or blender and add honey (the same amount as the grated mixture). Store in the refrigerator, take 1 teaspoon 3 times a day. The course is at least 2 weeks, then - if necessary.
2. Take a course of the following vitamin complexes(optional): Complivit iron, Perfectil, Sorbifer, Fenyuls. You must first consult with your doctor.
3. It is also important to observe the daily routine (activity / rest). The process of hematopoiesis mainly occurs at night during sleep. Accordingly, chronic insomnia can provoke a hemoglobin deficiency, even if the pregnant woman follows a healthy diet.

Hemoglobin deficiency does not always indicate a lack of iron, certain vitamins. This condition can be caused by certain diseases. Among them, even blood cancer. Therefore, if you suspect a hemoglobin deficiency, you should not postpone going to the doctor. It must be remembered that for the unborn child this is many times more dangerous than for the expectant mother.

Related videos

Conclusion

In total, during pregnancy, the level of hemoglobin decreases slightly - this is normal, since a significant part of the iron and vitamins go to the development of the fetus in the womb. That is why the need for the above elements is increasing, and it can be fully provided by a simple adjustment of the diet.

If this does not bring the desired effect, multivitamin complexes are prescribed, in critical cases, preservation therapy. Normalizing the balance of hemoglobin is quite simple, the main thing is to establish the exact cause of its decrease, and only qualified doctors can handle this task.

While waiting for the baby, expectant mothers regularly donate blood for research. One of the most important parameters monitored by doctors is hemoglobin.

Hemoglobin is a special iron-containing protein that makes up the cytoplasm of the erythrocyte. A normal level of hemoglobin is essential for the proper functioning of the body. The iron contained in this protein is able to form compounds with oxygen and carbon dioxide. It is thanks to hemoglobin that the cells of the body are saturated with oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide.

A gram per liter is a unit of measure for hemoglobin, the norm in women during pregnancy is 110-155 g / liter.

A condition in which the indicator is less than the lower limit of normal hemoglobin during pregnancy is called iron deficiency anemia or anemia.

Decreased hemoglobin during pregnancy, causes

Poor or improper nutrition

Hemoglobin needs iron. If the expectant mother does not receive the proper amount of this mineral with food, then the risk of developing anemia is very high.

Severe toxicosis

Decreased appetite, aversion to a certain type of food, nausea, repeated vomiting reduce the level of hemoglobin.

Acute or chronic bleeding

Loss of blood means a decrease in the level of red blood cells, respectively, and a drop in hemoglobin. It can be nasal, gastrointestinal, hemorrhoidal and other bleeding.

Diseases

In some diseases, conditions, such as dysbacteriosis, the absorption of iron is impaired. With problems with the bone marrow, the production of hemoglobin is disrupted.

short interval between pregnancies

It will take at least three years for a woman in labor to fully recover. For a shorter period, the body simply does not have time to recover after bearing the fetus.

Pregnancy of a mother of many children

Pregnancy and childbirth are a lot of stress for the body. There is an opinion that the fourth and subsequent pregnancies and childbirth have a stronger effect on the decrease in hemoglobin levels.

Multiple pregnancy

During gestation, the fetus stores useful substances, including increasing the level of hemoglobin. Stocks are enough until they reach six months. Naturally, during multiple pregnancy, iron from the maternal body is consumed faster.

Hydremia or pseudoanemia of pregnancy

Even in an absolutely healthy woman, hemoglobin drops during pregnancy. 3rd trimester - the period when pseudoanemia of pregnant women is most often diagnosed. In simple terms, this is a condition when a woman's blood volume increases, while the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin levels during pregnancy remain the same. This phenomenon does not need to be corrected with drugs.

It is possible to distinguish iron deficiency anemia from hydremia by considering the number, average volume and width of distribution of erythrocytes.

A blood test for the iron protein ferritin is also indicative. The procedure is performed in the morning, after eating, at least 8 hours must pass, only water is allowed to drink.

Low hemoglobin during pregnancy, symptoms

The lack of hemoglobin during pregnancy leads to oxygen starvation of cells. In this mode, the body cannot function properly.

• Increased fatigue even after a full-time sleep, frequent dizziness, chilliness of the hands and feet - all this hints at developing anemia.
• With anemia, the skin turns pale, the mucous membranes turn blue, because it is hemoglobin that gives the blood a rich red color.
• After physical exertion, when the body consumes more oxygen, low hemoglobin is manifested by shortness of breath.
• Symptoms of anemia can also be tinnitus, "flies" before the eyes, tachycardia, brittle hair, insomnia. Sometimes this condition causes a strange desire to eat chalk, toothpaste, earth, clay.
• Mild forms of anemia may not have clinical manifestations.

Low hemoglobin during pregnancy, consequences

Anemia promises the expectant mother a greater susceptibility of the body to colds and infectious diseases, late toxicosis, premature discharge of amniotic fluid, placental abruption, bleeding during childbirth and weak labor activity. Women in childbirth with anemia often have problems with breastfeeding: milk appears late and is produced in insufficient quantities.

For the fetus, anemia is fraught with oxygen starvation, which in the future can adversely affect its entire body as a whole and the nervous system in particular. It is also possible stillbirth or death of the baby in the first day after birth.

How to increase hemoglobin during pregnancy

Treatment of anemia is reduced to the elimination of the cause that caused it, ensuring proper sleep, regular walks in the fresh air and the use of iron-containing foods, vitamin-mineral complexes or medications.

If the hemoglobin level is slightly lowered and there are iron stores in the body, then you can try to do without drugs by using multivitamins and foods that increase hemoglobin during pregnancy. Otherwise, drug therapy is mandatory.

How to increase hemoglobin during pregnancy. Treatment of iron deficiency anemia with medications

• ionic - ferrous salts, relatively easily absorbed by the body. But because of the speed of absorption, side effects are more likely to occur;
• non-ionic are salts of ferric iron. Assimilated worse than iron sulfate (II).

Also, iron-containing preparations can be monocomponent and polycomponent. The active substance of monocomponent drugs for anemia is only one iron compound. Multicomponent products are additionally enriched with useful substances that help iron absorption and reduce the risk of negative reactions from the body.

The standard prescribed form of release is tablets, but there are also syrups, solutions and injections. The latter are used only for serious problems with the gastrointestinal tract. The medicine should be taken orally before or after two hours relative to the intake of food or other medicines, washed down only with water.
Some iron preparations have a specific taste and smell and can stain tooth enamel or the skin at the injection site in a dark color.

The most common iron preparations prescribed for pregnant women for anemia are: Sorbifer Durules, Ferlatum Fall, Maltofer For, Totema, Ferrum-Lek, Ferroglobin-B12.

If side effects are detected, you should immediately stop taking the medication and consult a doctor for advice.

Do not worry, with diagnosed anemia, hemoglobin preparations do not harm pregnancy. But for prevention without a doctor's prescription, you should not take "heavy artillery", an increase in hemoglobin during pregnancy above the upper limit of the norm is also dangerous.

Products that increase hemoglobin during pregnancy

In order to raise hemoglobin with the help of nutrition, you need not only to consume iron-containing foods, but also to know what they can be combined with and what blocks the absorption of iron.

• Substances such as ascorbic acid, folic acid and vitamin B12 help iron to be absorbed. But calcium, on the contrary, reduces the absorption of iron. This does not mean that women in a position with anemia cannot eat dairy products, but their amount should be limited and consumed separately from iron-containing products.
  Negatively affects the absorption of iron and caffeine, so it is better to refuse black tea and coffee.
• Heme iron from animal foods is four times better absorbed than iron from plant foods. The largest amount of it is found in red meat, more specifically, in beef. Also, white chicken meat, quail, some offal (kidneys, beef tongue) are good for raising hemoglobin. But the liver, contrary to popular belief, is better not to get carried away. Yes, she breaks records for iron content, but in addition to it, she has a lot of vitamins A and D, an excess of which can harm the unborn baby.
• Rich in iron and seafood. The absolute champion in its content is black caviar. Red caviar and oily fish also help to increase hemoglobin.
• Among plant foods, there is a lot of iron in beans. It is worth adding peas, rye and lentils to the diet.
• Of the cereals, buckwheat is most preferable. In addition to iron, it contains a lot of protein and folic acid, necessary for the formation of hemoglobin. It is most effective to use it not boiled, but steamed. Or grind into flour and, together with water, take orally a tablespoon three times a day.

• With anemia, it will not be superfluous to introduce mushrooms into the diet. It is better to give preference to dried mushrooms, but there is a lot of iron in fresh ones.
• Dried fruits work better than fresh fruits due to their higher iron content. Regular use of a mixture of ground dried apricots, raisins, prunes, walnuts with honey and lemon will have a beneficial effect on hemoglobin levels. But fresh fruits should not be neglected. Apples, peaches, pomegranates, persimmons, pears, apricots, plums, bananas, quince are very useful.
• It is important to drink juices, especially freshly squeezed ones. Pomegranate juice is a legendary anemia fighter. But it has a fixing effect on the digestive system, so you should not lean on it, just a couple of spoons a day.
• Be sure to eat vegetables. Carrots are best eaten fresh or juiced. Beetroot is effective both in boiled form and as part of a fruit and vegetable fresh juice (in combination with apples and carrots).
• A tasty and healthy dish that increases hemoglobin is a baked potato with a peel.
  Do not give up tomatoes, onions, broccoli, spinach. Radish can be consumed, but little by little and with caution - this vegetable can increase the tone of the uterus.
• A good source of nutrients for anemia is pumpkin and pumpkin seeds.
• Rosehip is a natural storehouse of vitamins and minerals. To heighten the effect, it is better not to boil the rose hips, but pour boiling water over it and leave to infuse for 5-6 hours. A thermos is ideal for brewing. Before preparing the infusion, the berries should be crushed - all the most useful is in the seeds and pulp. With all the benefits, pregnant women should not lean heavily on rosehip infusion because of the pronounced diuretic effect of the drug.
• Dark chocolate contains iron, normalizes blood pressure and promotes the production of endorphins. But because of the caffeine in its composition and the risk of further allergic reactions in the baby, it should be consumed quite a bit.

Conclusion

A severe form of anemia during pregnancy is dangerous for both the mother and the unborn child, so it is important to take regular tests so that in case of a decrease, hemoglobin can be increased in time.

In the course of carrying a baby, mommy has to repeatedly donate blood to determine the level of various components. One of these elements is iron or hemoglobin. It is present in protein, enzyme compounds and is a complex protein substance present in the composition of erythrocyte blood cells. Hemoglobin is very important because it is involved in transporting oxygen to all parts of the body. If the level of this substance does not correspond to the norm, then the woman is prescribed medication to increase hemoglobin during pregnancy. After all, iron is extremely important for the body of a pregnant woman.

The diet of the expectant mother should be varied and nutritious.

Pregnancy for the female body creates a lot of excessive stress, so the mother's condition requires constant monitoring. Anemia in pregnant women can alarm the doctor, in which the hemoglobin level drops below normal. The main function of this protein is to bind oxygen to red blood cells. Therefore, with iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia, all tissues of the body suffer from a lack of oxygen.

During pregnancy, this condition is extremely dangerous and can lead to problems with intrauterine development of the fetus. But before proceeding with the restoration of hemoglobin levels, it is necessary to undergo a diagnosis in order to know exactly why hemoglobin during pregnancy is not normal.

The norm of hemoglobin in pregnant women

With the onset of pregnancy, the needs of the female body for iron double, reaching 25-30 mg. If a pregnant woman often receives less of this microelement, then she will soon develop iron deficiency anemia. The following indicators are considered normal for pregnant women:

1. I trimester 111-160 g/l;
2. In the II trimester 108-143 g / l
3. III trimester of the order of 100-140 g / l.

Normally, hemoglobin levels in healthy people are about 120-140 g / l, but during pregnancy, this substance begins to decline. Usually, slight fluctuations in iron in the blood of a pregnant woman are considered normal and are caused by blood thinning and other factors.

The main factors of low hemoglobin

A timely visit to the attending physician will keep you in good health

It is very important when there are deviations in the level of iron to find out the true causes of such changes. Without identifying etiological factors, it is quite difficult to influence the course of the disease and eliminate it. A variety of reasons can provoke a low hemoglobin index: from serious pathological conditions to an improper diet. And if in the first case one cannot do without professional medical treatment, then in the latter it is enough just to adjust the diet. Therefore, finding out the reason why hemoglobin falls during pregnancy is the main task of a specialist.

Pathologies

If the hemoglobin levels in a pregnant woman fall below 110 g / l, then they talk about the development of iron deficiency anemia. Usually, this can be observed during exacerbation of chronic pathologies, due to which iron consumption begins to increase. In addition, problems with iron content can occur against the background of helminthic invasions, dysbacteriosis, kidney or gastric pathologies that provoke disturbances in the absorption of iron. And if a woman has bone marrow disorders, they can lead to disturbances in the production of hemoglobin protein.

Wrong diet

One of the common causes of low hemoglobin levels is considered to be an illiterate diet of a pregnant woman. In order for the level of iron to be normal, mommy must definitely eat foods rich in this trace element. If there are not enough of them in the diet, then the patient begins to develop anemia.

The fetus grows in the process of gestation, so its need for iron is constantly increasing, which leads to its decrease in the blood, and, therefore, a decrease in hemoglobin. Therefore, it is so important for pregnant women to eat chicken white meat and fish, buckwheat and peas, fresh vegetables, pomegranates and currants, walnuts, etc. every day.

Bleeding

If a woman has had heavy blood loss in the recent past, then they can easily cause a hemoglobin deficiency. Such anemia is called posthemorrhagic.

Loss of blood suggests the loss of red blood cells, and therefore hemoglobin protein. It doesn’t matter what kind of bleeding the patient is worried about: hemorrhoidal, gastrointestinal, nasal, etc. Uterine bleeding is especially dangerous, because they lead not only to anemia, but can also indicate an incipient miscarriage, placental abruption, retrochorial hematoma, etc.

Toxicosis

Some experts argue that toxicosis of pregnant women can also provoke a pathological decrease in hemoglobin levels. This condition is accompanied by:

With severe toxicosis, vomiting can disturb every hour, therefore, along with the vomit, the mother loses useful trace elements that have entered the body, including iron. Therefore, hemoglobin deficiency develops.

Short interval between pregnancies

Also, a fairly common cause of a decrease in iron in a pregnant body is not enough time between conceptions. Any woman, even with an easy delivery, needs at least a three-year period to fully recover. If the next pregnancy came earlier, then the mother's body does not have time to recover properly. As a result, pregnancy can be complicated by various disorders, including anemia. Therefore, doctors warn patients about the need for a sufficient break between gestations.

Multiple gestation

During the gestational period, the fetus accumulates useful reserves, in particular, it gains a sufficient content of hemoglobin protein. These supplies are usually sufficient for 6 months of pregnancy. If pregnancy consists in bearing several fetuses, then the costs of maternal resources increase in proportion to the number of children.

In addition, during development, the fetus forms its own circulatory system, which communicates directly with the maternal blood supply. Therefore, the volume of circulating blood in a pregnant woman increases. The content of hemoglobin remains the same, therefore, in relation to the volume of blood flow, its level falls. Usually a similar phenomenon is observed at about 20 weeks of gestation.

Woman with many children

In a special category of patients, experts include mothers with many children, who have already had more than four deliveries. Even one gestation and delivery is stressful for the mother, but if there are several of them in the anamnesis, then the stressful effect on the body increases seriously. According to experts, the fourth and subsequent gestations, and then delivery, have a strong effect on the woman's body and cause a drop in hemoglobin levels.

hydremia

Blood tests can detect iron deficiency

In the process of gestation, even in relatively healthy mothers in the third trimester, there is a clear decrease in iron. Usually it is at this stage of pregnancy that pseudoanemia (hydremia) is detected in most patients. In mothers, by this time, the total volume of blood flow is seriously increased for the reasons indicated above. As a result, there is a natural decrease in hemoglobin and erythrocyte cell structures in the blood. Such conditions do not require treatment and after delivery are eliminated naturally.

IDA can be differentiated from pseudoanemia by blood tests for the presence of the iron protein ferritin, as well as by assessing the number and prevalence of red blood cells.

Symptoms of low hemoglobin

Hemoglobin deficiency during gestation can lead to severe hypoxia, which is manifested by a rather extensive list of symptoms.

1. Excessive fatigue, which may be present even after a long sleep. At the same time, patients often note that their limbs are cold, dizzy, etc.
2. When a woman allows any physical activity, her body begins to consume more oxygen, which is manifested by the appearance of shortness of breath.
3. With the development of iron deficiency anemia, the patient's appearance also changes noticeably - her skin acquires pale shades, the mucous membranes turn blue, in fact, it is hemoglobin that provides the blood with such a scarlet-red hue.
4. If hemoglobin deficiency is insignificant, then he may not have symptoms.
5. Many pregnant women note that against the background of iron deficiency, they often experience flickering midges and tinnitus, hair loss and insomnia, tachycardia. Many mothers with anemia experience a terrible craving for chalk or clay, earth or toothpaste.

What causes hemoglobin deficiency

When diagnosing anemia, mom needs to make up for the lack of hemoglobin, otherwise the pathology can lead to very unpleasant consequences, impaired fetal development or complications during delivery. Usually, against the background of iron deficiency, toxic manifestations and fetal hypoxia, severe gestosis, premature delivery or placental abruption, intrauterine death of the child and heavy bleeding during childbirth, weak labor activity or postpartum infectious lesions occur. Therefore, anemia in pregnant women requires mandatory treatment.

Methods for restoring hemoglobin levels

Any drugs should be taken under strict medical supervision.

The primary task of specialists is to eliminate the factors provoking anemia. After identifying the cause, the patient may be prescribed medications that increase hemoglobin levels. If the deviations from the norm are insignificant, then it is enough to take vitamins to correct the content and absorption of iron.

Mom also needs to change her lifestyle, spend more time in the fresh air, get enough sleep, etc. It is also recommended to adhere to a therapeutic diet that increases hemoglobin.

Medical recovery

The fastest way to normalize the hemoglobin of a pregnant patient is the injection of iron-containing agents, but such measures are used only in severe anemia. You can increase hemoglobin in a pregnant woman by taking drugs like Ferrum Lek or Venofer.

Therapeutic diet

If anemia is mild in nature, then hemoglobin can be normalized with the help of therapeutic nutrition. The most iron-rich product is red beef meat, white chicken or quail meat, as well as offal. Also, the leaders in iron content include seafood, beans and buckwheat, dried fruits and pomegranate juice, fresh carrots and pumpkin seeds, rosehip broth and jacket potatoes baked in the oven.

A mixture of freshly squeezed beetroot and carrot juice helps to increase hemoglobin levels. After two days, the results will show a noticeable increase in hemoglobin. From folk remedies that help to effectively achieve high hemoglobin, you can use honey, which is recommended to be taken every morning on an empty stomach in a dessert spoon.

With a lack of hemoglobin, it is imperative to take measures to restore it, otherwise, in case of serious violations, an unborn child may suffer. And it is better for pregnant women to prevent the development of anemia, adhering to the principles of rational nutrition, eat meat daily and follow the doctor's recommendations.