How Iron Deficiency Affects Pregnancy: Expert Insights

How Does Low Iron Affect Pregnancy?

Often, women face iron deficiency during pregnancy, which can cause many health problems. When there is a lack of iron in the body, the number of red blood cells starts decreasing, which is called anemia.

Due to this, there is a problem of not getting oxygen properly to the body parts, due to which women can have serious problems. In such a situation, let us know from Dr. Vandana Bharadia, Senior Consultant Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maheshwari Hospital, Jaipur, what problems can be caused by iron deficiency during pregnancy? And how can iron deficiency be avoided?

Problems caused to mother due to iron deficiency -

Fatigue:

Due to iron deficiency in the body during pregnancy, women are not able to get a proper flow of oxygen, which may cause problems like excessive fatigue, weakness, difficulty breathing, and dizziness. These are some of the symptoms of anemia.

Stress:

Women often face health problems during pregnancy. Due to a lack of iron in the body, women are at increased risk of mental problems like stress and anxiety. Due to this, stress also increases on the heart of women.

Problems during delivery:

If there is a problem of anemia in the body during pregnancy, then the risk of infection increases during delivery, due to which women may have to face serious problems, which may take more time to recover.

Risk of miscarriage:

Due to lack of iron in the body, women may have to face health problems. Due to the problem of anemia in women during pregnancy, the risk of serious problems like miscarriage can increase. In such a situation, take a healthy and nutrient-rich diet.

Heart problems:

Due to lack of iron, women start having lack of blood in the body, due to which there is pressure on the heart and the heart starts beating fast. During this time, women are at increased risk of serious problems like heart failure.

Problems caused to the child due to iron deficiency -

Problems in mental development:

Due to iron deficiency in women during pregnancy, problems related to the body development of the child, including the brain, may arise, due to which the child may have to face the problem of low weight at birth, which has a bad effect on the health of the child.

Lack of oxygen:

Due to iron deficiency in the body, an adequate amount of oxygen is not able to reach the mother's body parts as well as the child. This has a bad effect on the child's health. Apart from this, due to iron deficiency, the child may be born prematurely.

What to do to overcome iron deficiency?

To overcome iron deficiency in the body, consume nutritious foods like iron-rich spinach, beans, pomegranates, and beetroot. Apart from this, get regular checkups done to avoid any kind of problem during pregnancy.