Researchers believe that about 20% of pregnant women worldwide suffer from anaemia or low haemoglobin levels. Anaemia during pregnancy increases the chances of issues such as maternal and perinatal mortality, premature delivery and a low birth rate.
Haemoglobin is a complex protein in the blood that helps transport oxygen and carbon dioxide to various parts of the body. Iron is the main component of red blood cells, hence the name haemoglobin – ‘haemo’ stands for iron and ‘globulin’ is the name of the protein. The haemoglobin level in women should range between 12 to 16g/dl.
When a woman is pregnant, she needs more oxygen than normal as the foetus also needs oxygen. Hence, as soon as a woman is pregnant, her haemoglobin level is estimated – the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood directly depends on the concentration of the circulating haemoglobin.
Haemoglobin is measured in g/dl (gram per decilitre). Here is the normal range of haemoglobin in adults.
Haemoglobin is expected to drop during pregnancy. In fact, it is considered normal for haemoglobin to drop to 10.5g/dl during pregnancy. The reason behind it is quite simple – when a woman is pregnant, her blood volume increases by 50% to provide essential nutrients to the developing baby. By the 8th week of pregnancy, the level in blood plasma is higher than red blood cells in an expecting mother. Due to a decrease in the concentration of red blood cells in the blood, the haemoglobin level drops down to as low as 10.5g/dl. Anything lower than this needs attention.
Haemoglobin levels below 10.5g/dl can have an impact on the health of the pregnant woman. Hence, it is important to take iron supplements during pregnancy as advised by the doctor. Here are a few side-effects of low haemoglobin level during pregnancy:
This condition can worsen with a further drop in haemoglobin. If the haemoglobin drops to 6g/dl, then the expecting mother may experience angina. In this condition, a pregnant woman will experience severe pain in the chest which slowly moves to arms, shoulders and neck due to the insufficient flow of blood to the heart.
As mentioned earlier, a slight fall in haemoglobin during pregnancy is normal. But if you enter pregnancy at a stage where your haemoglobin is already below normal, then you may be at a higher risk of decreased haemoglobin during pregnancy. Some of the factors before pregnancy that may contribute to this state of low haemoglobin in a woman are:
There are 3 kinds of haemoglobin issues you might face during pregnancy:
Since we know that haemoglobin levels are most likely to go down during pregnancy, you must consult your doctor and take iron supplements. Also, a change in your diet may help you to replenish iron, folic acid, vitamin B12, and vitamin C, without which you could end up with a haemoglobin deficiency.
Here is a list of food items that can help you to fill the gap.
Haemoglobin levels during pregnancy may arise due to conditions related to the heart, lungs, and kidneys. Haemoglobin in a pregnant woman may also rise due to:
If there is a decrease in fluid or water intake during pregnancy, you may experience a sudden rise in haemoglobin. The same comes under control the moment your fluid intake increases.
In this condition, a sudden rise is seen in red blood cells. During pregnancy, if, for some reason, the body fails to meet the oxygen demand of various tissues, there is an increase in the production of red blood cells. This obviously increases the haemoglobin levels in the body.
A rise in the iron level in the body results in a sudden increase in haemoglobin levels. Hence, do not take iron supplements without consulting your doctor.
You may be surprised, but high haemoglobin levels during pregnancy can be quite dangerous. Here are some unwanted outcomes of high haemoglobin during pregnancy:
There is no prescribed home remedy for high levels of haemoglobin during pregnancy. This must be treated by an expert as and when they deem fit. You will be monitored closely by a specialist who will decide the treatment pattern based on your symptoms.
To enjoy your pregnancy to the fullest, keep a watch on what you eat, listen to your body and especially to your doctor. In case of the slightest doubt, consult your doctor immediately.
Resources and References: WebMD