How to Treat Anemia During Pregnancy

Anemia is usually easy to treat, although pregnancy does affect the type of medication and treatment that can be used. Iron is extremely important to the growing baby, as it contributes to the development of the fetus and the health and energy of the mother. Anemia during pregnancy is fairly common and is rarely considered a serious problem.

Things You'll Need

• Dietary changes
• Doctor's care
• CBC test
• Multivitamin
• Supplements

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Instructions

Treat Anemia During Pregnancy

• 1

  Request a CBC (complete blood count) test to determine if you have anemia and, if the test is positive, to determine the best way to treat it. A seriously low red blood count will indicate the need for supplements to ensure the healthy development of the baby.

• 2

  Talk to your doctor. Most of the oral treatments prescribed for anemia are appropriate to take during pregnancy as long as the treatment is being supervised by a doctor. Aside from the pregnancy itself, a doctor can evaluate your general health and decide if treatment is urgent or if it can wait until after delivery.

• 3

  Focus on diet. A few dietary changes can have a big impact on your blood count. Foods high in iron (such as red meat, tofu and whole grains) are especially useful, but vitamin C and folic acid also help, as they interact with iron to help it become active in your bloodstream.

• 4

  Ask for supplements if you feel your diet is poor or if you are a strict vegetarian. A doctor will recommend iron pills if he thinks you need to treat your anemia aggressively or are in need of quick results. Iron supplements must be monitored by your doctor, as they can cause nausea, constipation and other secondary effects.

• 5

  Take a multivitamin, as most cases of anemia are caused by a lack of a variety of minerals and vitamins, not just iron. By balancing your intake of supplements, you have a better chance of curing your anemia quickly and completely.