In general, anemia is considered normal when you have only mild symptoms. It is feared that some women will experience serious anemia due to insufficient intake of certain types of iron or vitamins. Symptoms of anemia that may be experienced by pregnant women are characterized by the characteristics of having a reduced appetite so that it affects your stamina, you are more susceptible to several infections, suddenly flashy eyes, several parts of the body such as nails, face, eyelids and lips looks pale. In conditions of anemia that is severe enough to cause shortness of breath and weak heart. Anemia results in reduced body power due to the presence of iron which continues to decrease its effect on white blood cells so that the power to fight microorganisms is reduced. For those of you office workers, the possible symptoms that arise are difficulty focusing. Anemia is very dangerous if left to pregnant women. The risk of premature babies, miscarriage, babies born with defects and so on. So that not only the health of the fetus is threatened, but your health is at stake. For those of you who actively work every day, it is advisable to pay attention to nutritional intake during pregnancy.
Here are ways you can take during pregnancy to avoid anemia:
- Increase consumption of foods that help treat iron-containing anemia, such as those from red meat, poultry and fish. Vegetables that have dark green leaves, nuts and eggs.
- Consumption of vitamin C helps the absorption of iron such as fruits, oranges, strawberries, kiwi and tomatoes.
- Choose foods with high folic acid content such as green leafy vegetables, bread, cereals, dried beans, salmon.
- Milk will help relieve symptoms of anemia. Drink milk regularly during the day and night.
- Consult a doctor if you have anemia that is severe enough so that you are advised to consume iron / folate or vitamin supplements.
- Blood tests are one way for you to find out the extent to which the hemoglobin content is reduced in the body, there is also a hematocrit check to find out the percentage of red blood cells from the sample taken. So that the doctor will find out the cause of the anemia you are experiencing.
About The Author
Midwife Pevi Revina, STr.Keb
Education at the Tasikmalaya Health Polytechnic Midwifery Academy and the Bhakti Pertiwi Husada Cirebon Poltekes. Currently working as a civil servant midwife, managing the RHodes24 pregnancy and childbirth clinic, as well as the Founder of the Revina clinic: Baby, Kids n Mom Spa. A resource person on Kompas TV in the Women’s Talkshow and the Internet, has been a contributor to Tempo and has also been a partner in the Srikandi Award, an award event for Indonesian Inspirational Midwives
