Pregnancy in women with sickle cell disease is complicated and comparatively more difficult to manage than a normal pregnancy. But it’s possible. Consult a gynecologist in Navi Mumbai to learn more about sick cell anemia and how it affects your fertility.

1. Complications in Pregnant Women with
Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell disease or sickle cell anemia is a
genetic disorder that is inherited from
parents. It can’t be transmitted or caused by

2. any external factors. However, it puts you at a
higher risk of infections and a complicated
pregnancy.
Pregnancy in women with sickle cell disease is
complicated and comparatively more difficult
to manage than a normal pregnancy. But it’s
possible. Consult a gynecologist in Navi
Mumbai to learn more about sick cell anemia
and how it affects your fertility.
What Happens in Sick Cell Anemia?
A normal blood cell is round-shaped, with the
entire cell composed of hemoglobin A, which
carries oxygen to your tissues. People with
sickle cell mutation have a combination of
hemoglobin A and S in their blood cells, which
makes them slightly curved. As a result, they
develop c-shaped red blood cells, hence the
name.

3. If you have inherited the gene from one
parent, your blood will be composed of
hemoglobin A and S. However, if you got the
mutation from each parent, your blood will be
mostly composed of hemoglobin S, which
increases your risk of complications during
pregnancy.
The curved red blood cells group together and
block the blood flow to the tissues. As a result,
your tissues and the vital organs do not get
sufficient oxygen, and ischemia—a condition
where your baby doesn’t get enough oxygen
to grow. This can cause a sickle cell crisis,
which causes extreme joint pain. There is an
increased risk of kidney diseases and heart
strokes in people with sickle cell disease.
Pregnancy Complications in Women with
Sickle Cell Disease

4. Pregnant women are likely to experience
anemia and painful pregnancy. A sickle cell
crisis can cause a lot of pain in your joints. The
pain can range from dull to throbbing, causing
extreme inconvenience. The pain can last
from a few hours to days, and the degree
might vary from person to person. You should
head to a maternity hospital in Navi
Mumbai and get prescription drugs to deal
with the symptoms.
Moreover, pregnant women are at a higher
risk of developing other health problems, such
as infection and vision issues, at later stages.
There’s also a risk of pre-term birth, a
miscarriage, and a baby weighing less than the
average newborn. These complications are
caused by the lack of oxygen and blood supply
to the fetus.
Is There Any Treatment?

5. You might need a blood transfusion at some
point in your pregnancy (more than once,
sometimes). Pregnant women with sickle cell
disease may have to schedule regular
appointments with their gynecologists.
Routine blood tests will help your doctor
identify potential issues ahead of time.
It’s important to meet the doctor twice a week
in your third trimester. If you have been
taking medication for sickle cell disease, ask
your doctor if they are safe during pregnancy.
Your doctor might prescribe aspirin (low-
dose) to help you cope with the painful
episodes and reduce the risk of blood clots,
which are common in people with sickle cell
anemia.