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Pumping Iron
Reduce Your Risk of Iron Deficiency Anemia
By Carma Haley Shoemaker
While the presence of anemia during pregnancy increases the possibility of complications, Dr. Michael says serious complications are rare, as the vast majority of pregnant women only have mild cases.
"Weakness or dizziness that leads to falls and injuries during (pregnancy) tends to be the most common complication," says Dr. Michael. "However, severe anemia adds stress on the maternal heart, which is already working overtime. Very severe anemia can lead to fetal growth restriction and fetal intolerance to labor. Also, a woman is bound to lose a large quantity of blood during vaginal delivery and even more with a Cesarean section. This puts the woman with anemia at risk for requiring a blood transfusion. But keep in mind, these instances are rare."
Unlike many other medical conditions, there is a very easy-to-do, easy-to-understand treatment for anemia – eating. "For prevention and treatment of mild anemia, vitamin C increases the rate and extent of absorption of iron in certain foods," says Dr. Michael. "Basically, a well-balanced diet is all that is required. Everything from breads, cereals, grains, beans, spinach, apricots, beef, fish, poultry and nuts can be a good source of iron."
Susan Younan Attiyah, an author from Glendora, Calif., has been anemic since age 14. "When I was pregnant with my first child, he took the rest of my body's iron," she says. "My only solution was to make up for the iron I lost. I ate everything I could with extra iron: peanut butter, dried beans, green veggies. By changing my diet to include lots of iron-rich foods, my iron level has improved greatly."
