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ANEMIA DURINGANEMIA DURING
PREGNANCYPREGNANCY

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ObjectivesObjectives
At the end of the presentation clientsAt the end of the presentation clients
should be able to:should be able to:
 Identify Iron-rich foodsIdentify Iron-rich foods
 Determine how iron absorption can beDetermine how iron absorption can be
enhanced or inhibited.enhanced or inhibited.
 Make healthier food choices to reduce ironMake healthier food choices to reduce iron
deficiency/anaemia.deficiency/anaemia.

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What is Anemia?What is Anemia?
 Anaemia is a condition of too few redAnaemia is a condition of too few red
blood cells, or a decreased ability of theblood cells, or a decreased ability of the
red blood cells to carry oxygen or ironred blood cells to carry oxygen or iron
 TheThe fetusfetus is dependent on the mother'sis dependent on the mother's
blood andblood and anaemiaanaemia can cause poor fetalcan cause poor fetal
growth, preterm birth, and low birth weightgrowth, preterm birth, and low birth weight

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Types of AnemiaTypes of Anemia
 Anemia of pregnancyAnemia of pregnancy
Blood volume increases by as much as 50% -Blood volume increases by as much as 50% -
blood cells in the body become dilutedblood cells in the body become diluted
 Iron deficiency anemiaIron deficiency anemia
fetus uses the mother's red blood cells for growthfetus uses the mother's red blood cells for growth
and developmentand development
 Vitamin B12 deficiencyVitamin B12 deficiency
important in forming red bloodimportant in forming red blood

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Types of AnemiaTypes of Anemia
 Blood lossBlood loss at delivery & after deliveryat delivery & after delivery
(postpartum)(postpartum)
 Folate deficiencyFolate deficiency - a B-vitamin that- a B-vitamin that
works with iron to help with cell growthworks with iron to help with cell growth

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Why Does Pregnancy Make meWhy Does Pregnancy Make me
More Likely to Become Anemic?More Likely to Become Anemic?
 YourYour iron requirementsiron requirements go up significantly whengo up significantly when
you are pregnant.you are pregnant.
 During pregnancy, the amount of blood in yourDuring pregnancy, the amount of blood in your
body expands.body expands.
 You also need extra iron for your growing babyYou also need extra iron for your growing baby
and placenta.and placenta.
 Starting pregnancy without sufficient stores ofStarting pregnancy without sufficient stores of
ironiron

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Your Risk is Even Higher if You;Your Risk is Even Higher if You;
 Have morning sicknessHave morning sickness
 Had two or more pregnancies closeHad two or more pregnancies close
togethertogether
 Pregnant with more than one babyPregnant with more than one baby
 Have an iron-poor dietHave an iron-poor diet
 Your pre-pregnancy menstrual flow wasYour pre-pregnancy menstrual flow was
heavyheavy

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How Will I Know if I'm Anemic?How Will I Know if I'm Anemic?
Your practitioner tests your blood for anemiaYour practitioner tests your blood for anemia
at your first prenatal appointmentat your first prenatal appointment
 HematocritHematocrit - measurement of the % of- measurement of the % of
red blood cells found in a specific volumered blood cells found in a specific volume
of bloodof blood
 Hemoglobin -Hemoglobin - the part of blood thatthe part of blood that
distributes oxygen from the lungs todistributes oxygen from the lungs to
tissues in the bodytissues in the body..

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How Will I Know if I'm Anaemic?How Will I Know if I'm Anaemic?
 You might feel tired, weak, and dizzyYou might feel tired, weak, and dizzy
 You're paler - especially in yourYou're paler - especially in your
fingernails, the underside of your eyelids,fingernails, the underside of your eyelids,
and your lipsand your lips
 Have a rapid heartbeat, heart palpitations,Have a rapid heartbeat, heart palpitations,
shortness of breath, or troubleshortness of breath, or trouble
concentratingconcentrating
 cravings for non-food substances such ascravings for non-food substances such as
ice, paper, or clay (ice, paper, or clay (picapica))

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How Does Anemia Affect myHow Does Anemia Affect my
Baby's Health & Mine?Baby's Health & Mine?
 Your baby gets his share before you doYour baby gets his share before you do
 If you remain anemic during the first 2If you remain anemic during the first 2
trimesters, you are at a higher risk for having atrimesters, you are at a higher risk for having a
preterm delivery or a low-birth weight babypreterm delivery or a low-birth weight baby
 It could affect your baby's iron stores at birth,It could affect your baby's iron stores at birth,
increasing his risk for anemia later in infancy.increasing his risk for anemia later in infancy.

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How Does Anemia Affect myHow Does Anemia Affect my
Baby's Health & Mine?Baby's Health & Mine?
 It can sap your energy and make it harderIt can sap your energy and make it harder
for your body to fight infectionfor your body to fight infection
 You are more likely to have problems ifYou are more likely to have problems if
you lose a lot of blood when you give birth.you lose a lot of blood when you give birth.
 You may feel dizzy, have a rapid heartYou may feel dizzy, have a rapid heart
rate, or have other symptoms that requirerate, or have other symptoms that require
you to stay in the hospital longer.you to stay in the hospital longer.

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How is Anemia TreatedHow is Anemia Treated??
 Iron supplement of 60 to 120 mg a day orIron supplement of 60 to 120 mg a day or
moremore
 Take your iron pills with water or orangeTake your iron pills with water or orange
juice (the vitamin C helps with absorption)juice (the vitamin C helps with absorption)
 Do not take with milk (calcium hindersDo not take with milk (calcium hinders
absorption)absorption)
 Avoid antacids that contain calciumAvoid antacids that contain calcium
 Avoid tea and coffeeAvoid tea and coffee

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How is Anemia TreatedHow is Anemia Treated??
 Eat a healthy diet thatEat a healthy diet that
includes plenty ofincludes plenty of
iron-rich foodsiron-rich foods
 Red meat is a goodRed meat is a good
sourcesource
Non-animal iron-richNon-animal iron-rich
foods include;foods include;
 BeansBeans
 TofuTofu
 RaisinsRaisins
 PrunesPrunes
 Potatoes (leave thePotatoes (leave the
skins on)skins on)

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 BroccoliBroccoli
 BeetsBeets
 Leafy green vegetablesLeafy green vegetables
 Whole-grain breads, molassesWhole-grain breads, molasses
 Iron-fortified cerealsIron-fortified cereals

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Food Sources of Folate Include;Food Sources of Folate Include;
 Leafy, dark green vegetablesLeafy, dark green vegetables
 Dried beans and peasDried beans and peas
 Citrus fruits and juices and most berriesCitrus fruits and juices and most berries
 Fortified breakfast cerealsFortified breakfast cereals
 Enriched grain productsEnriched grain products

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THANK YOU!THANK YOU!