Anaemia means your blood has fewer healthy red blood cells or less haemoglobin than normal, so it carries less oxygen around your body. It is very common in pregnancy: the World Health Organization estimates that about 37% of pregnant women worldwide are anaemic. The most common cause is not having enough iron.
Why is it more common in pregnancy?
During pregnancy your body makes much more blood to support your baby, so you need more iron than usual. If your diet does not provide enough, your iron stores can run low.
Symptoms
- Tiredness and lack of energy
- Feeling short of breath
- Noticeable heartbeats (palpitations)
- Paler skin than usual
Many of these can also be normal in pregnancy, and mild anaemia may cause no symptoms, so a blood test is the only way to know. Your haemoglobin is usually checked at your first antenatal appointment and again later in pregnancy.
Foods that contain iron
- Meat
- Pulses such as beans, peas and lentils
- Dark-green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale
- Breakfast cereals and bread with added iron
- Dried fruit such as apricots and dates
Foods rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, tomatoes and peppers, help your body absorb iron. Tea and coffee can reduce how much iron you absorb, so try to drink them between meals rather than with food.
Iron tablets
If your levels are low, your doctor or midwife may recommend iron tablets and will tell you how much to take and for how long. They can cause constipation, tummy upset or dark poo. Keep iron tablets out of reach of children, because swallowing them can be very dangerous for a child.
Why treatment matters
Untreated anaemia can leave you exhausted and increases the risk of complications before and after birth, including coping with blood loss during delivery. Treating it is usually simple.
When to see your doctor
Talk to your doctor or midwife if you feel very tired, short of breath or dizzy, or if you notice your heart racing. Get urgent help if you have chest pain or severe breathlessness.
See what is happening each week with our pregnancy week by week guide.