Anemia during pregnancy is one of the nutritional problems among mothers which can have deleterious effects to both mother and child. Severe anemia during pregnancy can cause premature birth and low birth weight in babies. Anemia can also be a contributing factor to maternal deaths. When hemorrhage or excessive bleeding happens during delivery, it may be difficult for an anemic mother to endure this blood loss and can lead to death. The prevention and control of anemia during pregnancy is vital to safe motherhood.
Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia in pregnancy. Deficiencies in folate and vitamin B-12 can also cause anemia. According to the World Health Organization, anemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells or the hemoglobin concentration is lower than normal. The hemoglobin is needed to carry oxygen and if there is not enough hemoglobin, there will be a decreased capacity of the blood to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues. The growing fetus requires more nutrients, particularly iron and folic acid for growth and development. The increase in demand of iron can also increase the potential risk of iron deficiency anemia.
The pregnant woman gets her iron as well as folate not only from her diet alone but from her iron stores in the body. Poor diet and low iron stores in the body due to malnutrition and frequent pregnancies can result in anemia. An anemic pregnant woman often feels fatigue, weakness, dizziness and shortness of breath, headache, among others.
The Department of Health’s Administrative Order No. 2010-0010 entitled “Revised Policy on Micronutrient Supplementation to Support Achievement of 2015 MDG Targets to Reduce Under-Five and Maternal Deaths and Address Micronutrient Needs of Other Population Groups” issued in 2010 has identified iron and folic acid supplementation for women of reproductive age, including adolescents, as one of the interventions to address iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) and folate deficiency among women.
The provision of iron folic acid (IFA) to non-pregnant, adolescents and women can prevent anemia and improve iron stores. The IFA is distributed to these groups in schools and in health centers. In schools, the IFA is given for 3 months twice a year. To prevent anemia during pregnancy, daily supplementation of IFA once a day upon confirmation of pregnancy for 180 days is recommended. This is provided to pregnant women during pre-natal visits in health centers.
The celebration of ‘Safe Motherhood Week’ every second week of May by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 200 s.2020 is a good opportunity to raise awareness on the importance of maternal health and nutrition.
Pregnant mothers should avail of the IFA supplementation included in the integrated package of women’s health and safe motherhood services of the government. Maternal anemia is preventable through IFA supplementation, consumption of iron-fortified foods, and eating foods rich in iron and folate such as meat, chicken, fish, eggs, dried beans and fortified grains, and dark green leafy vegetables. Eat also fresh fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamin C.
Prevent anemia during pregnancy. Healthy moms give birth to healthy babies.
Written by NOIII Emerenciana L. Francia and NPC Milagros Elisa V. Federizo
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