After becoming pregnant, pregnant women undergo significant changes in diet and weight. This is because the body needs to support the blood supply for both the baby and the mother. In order to meet the needs of the baby's development and growth, the blood volume of pregnant women gradually increases. However, while the mother's blood volume increases, the increase in plasma is more than three times that of red blood cells. During this process, the blood can easily become diluted, leading to various degrees of anemia in pregnant women, which is a common condition during pregnancy. Do you know how many types of anemia in pregnant women exist? How to prevent anemia in pregnant women? What are some good foods for anemia? Today, let's see how pregnancy experts interpret the types of anemia in pregnant women, how to prevent anemia in pregnant women, and what foods are good for anemia.
Types of Anemia in Pregnant Women
Pregnant women may suffer from different types of anemia depending on the cause. Common types of anemia in pregnant women include the following (some complex conditions are not included):
1. Iron-deficiency anemia: Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia in pregnant women. During pregnancy, the demand for iron is about twice as high as normal. If a woman has low hemoglobin levels before pregnancy or if she is carrying more than one baby, the demand for iron will be even higher. If the supply of iron cannot keep up, the mother is at risk of developing iron-deficiency anemia. However, in the early stages of pregnancy, the baby is small and does not require much iron. The mother's iron deficiency may not be obvious, but it is strongly recommended that mothers start supplementing iron after four months of pregnancy.
2. Megaloblastic anemia: Most cases of megaloblastic anemia are caused by a lack of folic acid. Although women are advised to take folic acid during the three months before pregnancy and during early pregnancy, a deficiency in folic acid can still occur if there is a lack of dark green vegetables in the diet. This can lead to DNA synthesis disorders and the development of megaloblastic anemia.
3. Aplastic anemia: This type of anemia is mainly characterized by bone marrow failure in hematopoiesis. The cause of the disease is generally unclear and may be caused by certain biochemical factors. It is rare for this type of anemia to resolve on its own. Pregnant women with this type of anemia should seek medical treatment and follow the doctor's advice.
Effects of Anemia in Pregnant Women on the Fetus
1. Intellectual impairment: Human brain development occurs rapidly from the third month of pregnancy to the age of six. By the age of six months, the weight of the brain tissue reaches 80% of that of an adult. By the age of three, the number of nerve cells in the brain reaches 14 billion. Iron deficiency can affect the energy metabolism and function of brain cells, as well as the metabolism of neurotransmitters. The cerebellum and hippocampus are particularly sensitive to iron deficiency.
2. Language ability impairment: Lack of oxygen and iron in the mother's body during pregnancy can lead to poor mental state and fatigue in infants after birth, resulting in a lack of interest in the external world. This delayed cognitive ability can affect the development of language skills in babies.
3. Visual impairment: Anemia in pregnant women can also affect the vision of the child. It can lead to slower grasping of toys and small objects compared to children of the same age.
4. Muscle development impairment: If the fetus lacks iron and nutrients in the mother's body, the congenital insufficient iron in the myoglobin can lead to weak muscles in the baby. Even small movements, such as raising their head, rolling over, and sitting up, may be delayed. If this persists, the child may become less active and spend more time lying in bed, which can affect muscle development.
5. Weakened immune system: Compared to other newborns, babies born to anemic mothers have a weaker constitution, even with postnatal care. These babies may also have eating problems and their immune systems may not be as strong as those of normal babies during their learning process.
How to Prevent Anemia in Pregnant Women
1. Get enough sleep: It is important to maintain a regular sleep schedule. You should go to bed before 11 p.m. Sleeping is more effective than doing anything else and can improve many health conditions. Avoid staying up late, as no amount of makeup can make up for the lack of sleep.
2. Avoid junk food: Stop eating snacks like potato chips and French fries. Junk food that causes weight gain is not good for the body. If you want to eat snacks, it is better to make your own baked potato chips.
3. Eat more red dates: Although the blood-supplying effect of red dates is not the best, it still has a cumulative effect over time. Eating is better than not eating. You can make soup, porridge, or eat them as a dessert. The best way is to cook the red dates until they are soft and drink the soup, which is the most blood-supplying.
4. Use red sugar instead of other sugars: Red sugar and brown sugar are both acceptable. When cooking or making desserts, use more red sugar. It may not be as sweet, but you can add a little white sugar if necessary. It is not recommended to directly dissolve red sugar in water, as it contains impurities and is relatively dirty. It is better to cook it and eat it when it is fully cooked. Red sugar and jujube water is a good blood-supplying drink. It is recommended that women who do not have diabetes drink it regularly.
5. Limit caffeine intake: Avoid consuming too much caffeine from products such as coffee and tea. You can still drink them, but in smaller quantities and weaker concentrations. Drinking strong caffeine while trying to improve anemia will be ineffective.
6. Eat red meat: Eating more red meat can supply iron, which is the key to treating anemia. In addition, women tend to feel cold, and eating more red meat can help keep warm and increase immunity.
7. Eat red-skinned peanuts: Eating them raw is the most effective, especially if you can tolerate eating just the red skins. For severe anemia, you can boil the red skins and drink the water. It may taste a bit bitter, but the effect is very good. Traditional Chinese medicine often includes peanuts with red skins in blood-supplying formulas, which shows how effective they are. However, it is important to persist in eating them.
What Foods are Good for Anemia
1. Red sugar, longan, and purple rice porridge
Soak the purple rice overnight, peel and wash the longan, then cook the purple rice and glutinous rice to make a sticky porridge. Finally, add red sugar to taste.
2. Cold black fungus salad
After soaking the black fungus, wash it and blanch it in boiling water for one or two minutes. Then, add sesame oil, soy sauce, vinegar, and a little sugar to season.
3. Stir-fried pork liver
Cut the pork liver into 1cm thick slices, put it in a bowl, add a little cooking wine, dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, and mix well. Finally, add a spoonful of cornstarch, mix well, and marinate for ten minutes. Heat the wok with oil, stir-fry the pork liver until it is cooked but still tender, and then remove from the heat.
4. Lean meat balls
Chop the lean meat into small pieces, add a little flour to make a paste, add a teaspoon of salt, and drop the paste into boiling water. Cook until the balls float to the surface, then season.
5. Steamed milk custard
Beat two eggs, add a box of milk, a tablespoon of sugar, and mix well. Steam for 10 minutes and it's ready to serve.
Many expectant fathers and mothers are not familiar with the types of anemia in pregnant women, how to prevent anemia in pregnant women, and what foods are good for anemia. Hopefully, through the information provided today, you have gained a better understanding of these topics. We hope that every expectant mother can give birth to a cute and healthy baby.
