women s health issues
Anemia During Pregnancy
Anemia Due to Iron or Folate Deficiency
 Iron Deficiency None Not consuming enough iron in the diet (especially in adolescent girls) Menstruating Having had a previous pregnancy Women normally and regularly lose iron every month during menstruation. The amount of iron lost during menstruation is about the same as the amount women normally consume each month. Thus, women cannot store much iron. To make red blood cells in the fetus, pregnant women need twice as much iron as usual. As a result, iron deficiency commonly develops, and Iron Deficiency Anemia often results. Folate Deficiency None Blood tests can confirm the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia or folate deficiency anemia. Anemia can usually be prevented or treated by taking iron and folate supplements during pregnancy. If a pregnant woman has iron deficiency, the newborn is usually given iron supplements. Taking folate supplements before becoming pregnant and during pregnancy reduces the risk of the baby having a neural tube defect. 