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Anemia and Conception
By Rochelle Caviness
Anemia is a condition that occurs when you have a lower than normal red blood cell count or when your hemoglobin count is low. The reasons why you may become anemic vary. As well, the type of anemia that you may develop can vary.
Consequences of becoming pregnant when you are already anemic:
Many women become anemic after they become pregnant, due to the extra iron needed to supply red blood cells to the fetus, as well as placental blood. If you are already anemic before you become pregnant, you are increasing your risk of suffering from a severe case of anemia.
New research being done on the risks faced by women that are anemic, when they become pregnant, shows that these women are more likely to have abnormally large placentas and to deliver underweight babies. More important, studies conducted at the University of Toronto and University College, London, indicated that these two conditions (large placenta and low birth weight) are causal factors that place these children at a greater risk of developing high blood pressure later in life.
Anemia and Pregnancy
Once you become pregnant, consistent prenatal care is imperative. Long and short-term cases of anemia, during the pregnancy, can adversely affect the baby. Not only may the baby be born with health problems, but it may also predispose them to problems that will not develop until they are adults, such as cardiovascular disease.
Pre-Conception Health Care
Before attempting to become pregnant, it is important that you are as healthy as you can possibly be. This will not only increase your chances of becoming pregnant, but will also help insure that both you and your baby undergo an uneventful pregnancy.
Symptoms of Anemia
When a person is anemic, their blood is unable to transport oxygen efficiently. Consequently, some common symptoms of anemia are:
Tests to Detect Anemia
If your doctor suspects that you are anemic, a blood test will be ordered to test your red blood cell count and hemoglobin count. This can be done either through a finger prick test, or more often, by doing a complete blood count (CBC). A CBC test will involve withdrawing blood from a vein. In addition to measuring your red blood cell and hemoglobin counts, it will also measure your white blood cell count, hematocrit value, platelet count, and differential blood count. For purposes of determining if you are anemic, only the red blood cell count, hemoglobin count, and hematocrit values are of any use.
Always consult your doctor for medical advice.
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