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Anemia During Pregnancy and Natural Remedies for Anemia
Anemia during pregnancy can make you more vulnerable to illness. It is therefore important to address and treat this disorder promptly.
Anemia in pregnancy is very common - it affects almost 8o% of pregnant women.
During pregnancy, your body needs more iron than usual. A deficiency of iron brings about anemia - a health problem in which the body's cells do not receive enough oxygen.
A pregnant woman may develop anemia because of insufficient intake of iron and folic acid. Even if iron and folic acid intake are sufficient, a pregnant woman may still
become anemic because pregnancy alters the digestive process. Furthermore, the fetus in the mother's body consumes some of the iron and folic acid, making the mother
more prone to anemia.
In addition, pregnant women quite often suffer from hemorroids, and the loss of blood from bleeding hemorrhoids can also lead to anemia.
Symptoms of Anemia During Pregnancy
Some common symptoms of anemia in pregnancy include the following:
- Fatigue, tiredness
- Weakness
- Pale skin, lips, and nail beds
- Shortness of breath even after mild exercise
Occasionally, you may also have these symptoms if you have anemia during pregnancy:
- Headaches
- Dizziness or fainting
- Difficulty concentrating or forgetfulness
- Nausea
- Palpitations or abnormal heartbeats
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Prevention of Anemia During Pregnancy
To prevent anemia during pregnancy, the best way is to consume foods rich in iron and folic acid.
Foods high in iron include calf's liver, green leafy vegetables, leeks, cherries, strawberries, figs,dried fruits, and eggs.
Foods high in folic acid include wheat germ, beans, oatmeal, mushrooms, broccoli, calf's liver and asparagus.
In addition, DO NOT consume foods that are high in oxalic acid, such as tomatoes, chocolate, and spinach. Oxalic acid blocks iron absorption in the body.
Caffeine is another substance that inhibits iron absorption, so stay away from coffee and other foods high in caffeine.
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Natural Remedies for Anemia During Pregnancy
- Iron Supplements
If your anemia is caused by iron deficiency, take iron supplements daily. (Dosage dependent on the severity of the disorder - you may want to consult with your doctor.)
Iron chelate is more easily absorbed and is preferred over iron sulfate which is not only poorly absorbed but can also cause digestive upset.
For better absorption, take iron supplements 1 hour before eating, or between meals.
A word of caution: Iron often causes constipation, so be sure to drink a lot of water!
- Vitamin C
Vitamin C enhances iron absorption, so be sure to take 250 mg to 500 mg of the vitamin with each dose of iron supplement.
- Herbs
The herb nettle (Urtica diocia) is rich in iron and other blood-building minerals. One easy way to take this herb is to drink the herbal tea twice a day.
Yellow dock (Rumex crispus) is also rich in iron and helps iron absorption.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) has a high iron content and can cleanse the blood and detoxify the liver.
Related Topics
Natural Anemia Cures
Common Womens Health Problems
Reference
Balch and Stengler, Prescription for Natural Cures, (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2004)
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