How to Get Pregnant With Anemia
Anemia occurs when someone has an iron deficiency and a low red blood cell count. It most commonly affects women, as they tend to lose a lot of iron and red blood cells during menstruation. Having enough red blood cells is significant during pregnancy, as it will carry oxygen to both you and the fetus. Anemia should not make becoming pregnant more difficult, but it is always important to be at your healthiest while trying to conceive a baby.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Iron supplement
- Iron-rich foods
- Vitamin C-rich foods
- Ovulation calculator
Instructions
-
-
1
Ensure that you are getting enough iron by taking a daily supplement. Women who are not pregnant should be getting about 18 to 20 mg of iron daily. This amount will increase to 27 to 30 mg during pregnancy. Have your primary care physician or gynecologist prescribe an iron supplement if you are anemic.
-
2
Eat foods that are rich in iron. Green leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli and kale are very good sources of iron. Red meat, dark poultry meat and liver are also very high in iron. Iron-fortified cereals, pastas and whole grains are also excellent sources of this essential nutrient. Beans, peas, nuts and seeds are other iron-rich foods that can be added to your diet.
-
-
3
Eat foods that are rich in Vitamin C. Vitamin C-rich foods can help the body absorb the iron that it consumes from other foods. Oranges, strawberries and tomatoes are all good examples of foods that you should add to your diet in order to increase iron absorption.
-
4
Avoid foods that block iron absorption. Tea, coffee, milk, egg yolks, fiber and soy protein are all foods that prevent your body from absorbing the iron that it consumes. Keep in mind that you do not need to avoid these foods entirely, but it is best not to consume them at the same time as iron-rich foods.
-
5
Get checked for other causes of infertility. Not being able to conceive is often caused by another health condition, such as endometriosis or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Also keep in mind that there is a possibility that the man could also be the one who is infertile in the relationship.
-
6
Use an ovulation calculator. Like any other woman who is trying to conceive, it is important to know when your most fertile days of the month are. It is likely that the reason you may be experiencing a difficult time getting pregnant could be because you are having sex at the wrong time of the month. Asking your gynecologist for more information on ovulation calculators can increase the chances of pregnancy.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Know that your risk of developing anemia during pregnancy increases due to increased blood amount, so it's best to follow these tips regardless of whether you already have it.
Anemia during pregnancy can increase the chances of the baby being born early or underweight.
Be aware of anemia symptoms, which generally include fatigue and a lack of energy.
