Pregnancy Fatigue? It Could Be Anemia: Know the Signs and Solutions

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Many women experience weakness, dizziness, fatigue, and shortness of breath during pregnancy. If these symptoms persist, anemia may be the cause. Anemia (a lack of hemoglobin in the body) can pose a serious health problem for both mother and child during pregnancy. It not only makes women feel tired and weak during everyday tasks, but can also affect the baby's growth and weight.

Anemia can have many causes, but during pregnancy, it's most commonly caused by iron deficiency. Pregnancy requires more red blood cells for the development of the body and placenta, increasing the demand for iron. If a woman's diet doesn't contain enough iron or she already has an iron deficiency, she's more likely to develop anemia. Furthermore, factors like frequent pregnancies, short pregnancies, and lack of adequate antenatal care can also contribute to anemia.

Some common symptoms of anemia include persistent fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, a fast or irregular heartbeat, pale skin, lips, and nails, cold hands and feet, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. If the hemoglobin level is less than 10.9 g/dL, it is considered severe.

To combat anemia during pregnancy, proper diet is crucial. Include iron-rich foods in your diet, such as green leafy vegetables, dried fruits, radish leaves, or drumstick leaves. Guava, dates, amla, and sprouted grains are also beneficial. Include folic acid-rich foods like wheat, beans, and oranges in your diet. Vegetables like carrots, beets, and raw bananas, and fruits like apples, grapes, sapota, bananas, and pomegranates, are also beneficial. Ayurveda also offers effective anemia remedies, such as Punarnavadi Mandur.

However, if the hemoglobin level is less than 7 g/dL or does not increase after a month of proper treatment, or if the woman has a bleeding disorder, a doctor should be contacted immediately. Anemia not only causes weakness, but can also pose risks to both mother and baby.