Post partum anemia is a relatively common problem. According to research by the Guttmacher Institute, approximately 27 percent of women experience post partum anemia. The condition may be diagnosed shortly after your baby’s birth or later at the post partum visit.
Fatigue is the most common symptom of post partum anemia. All new mothers are tired, but most are feeling better by the post partum checkup. Women with post partum anemia are still exhausted at the six week mark. If you are still experiencing extreme tiredness and it is affecting your ability to go about your daily routine, mention it to your midwife or doctor at your post partum visit.
Two factors that may increase the likelihood of post partum anemia are anemia in late pregnancy and excessive blood loss during the birth. Like many complications of pregnancy, the best treatment for post partum anemia is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. If you are pregnant and have been diagnosed with anemia, your health care provider may have you increase your intake of iron rich foods and possibly take a supplement.
Iron rich foods include beef, turkey, clams, oysters, asparagus, beans and baked potato with the skin. Certain foods enhance the absorption of iron, including strawberries, grapefruit and oranges. Your doctor may recommend taking your iron supplements with orange juice to enhance the absorption. Don’t take it with milk, since this will reduce the absorption. I had been taking my pill at breakfast with a big glass of milk, until a nurse gave me that tip.
All pregnant women should work to build up their iron during pregnancy, even if you are not diagnosed with anemia during pregnancy. This can help prevent problems in late pregnancy, after the birth and can reduce your risk of post partum anemia after your baby is born.
If you have anemia during pregnancy or experience blood loss during the birth of your baby, your doctor will check your hemoglobin and iron level to determine the best course of treatment. In extreme cases, a blood transfusion may be necessary. In most cases, supplements, injections or intravenous iron treatment may be given. I had IV iron with my last baby was born via c section. It brings up the iron level much faster than supplements, although you may be told to continue to take these as well.
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