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During pregnancy, the body produces more blood to support the baby. And later in pregnancy, the baby steals iron from the mother in order to be healthy. Whether the mom has a lot of iron, the building block of red cells, or has very little iron, the baby will be born with a completely normal iron count. However, if mom doesn’t have replacement iron, her blood count can diminish more dramatically, leading to anemia. The most common sign of anemia is fatigue.

The treatment of anemia in pregnancy is very easy. If we identify a low blood count at the time of the sugar test in the third trimester, we’ll often put the patient on both iron-rich foods such as dark leafy greens and red meats, and an iron supplement. This treatment option works in the vast majority of patients to keep the blood count in a normal level. However, if the blood count falls dangerously low, we send the patient for evaluation to a hematologist.

For those patients who do not tolerate iron well, we offer intravenous iron supplementation to avoid dangerous anemia.

If you believe you have anemia during pregnancy, contact our office today to schedule an appointment!

Maternal Fetal Medicine blogs are intended for educational purposes only and do not replace certified professional care. Medical conditions vary and change frequently. Please ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding your condition to receive a proper diagnosis or risk analysis. Thank you!