Blood tests are performed multiple times during pregnancy. They are necessary to identify pathologies at the earliest stages of both the expectant mother and her baby. One of the important indicators in the blood is the level of hemoglobin.
What it is?
A general blood test is a very important study that is carried out while carrying a baby. Its performance in the first trimester can differ significantly from those in the third trimester of pregnancy. These differences are due to the physiological characteristics of the intrauterine development of the fetus. As your baby grows, he needs much more oxygen.
Hemoglobin is a special protein in the blood. It is located inside special blood cells - erythrocytes. The composition of hemoglobin contains iron and an organic part. This structure allows these protein particles to carry oxygen to all the cells of the internal organs of both the mother and her baby.
For the implementation of all vital processes in a child's body, nutrients are needed. Oxygen is a natural catalyst for almost all reactions that occur every second in the cells of all internal organs. The active growth and development of the fetal body systems leads to the fact that the need for these substances increases many times over.
Lack or insufficient supply of oxygen and nutrients to the cells of a developing baby can lead to the development of a very dangerous condition - hypoxia. This pathology does not allow the child to fully grow and develop in the mother's womb. If this condition is not corrected in time, then it can lead to the formation of various intrauterine pathologies in the fetus.
Doctors note that there may be several jumps in hemoglobin during the entire pregnancy. The degree of their severity largely depends on the initial state of health of the expectant mother. If a woman had any blood diseases or anemia before pregnancy, then such manifestations may be most striking. In this case, the intervention of specialists may already be required.
Iron is an important element found in hemoglobin. This substance is necessary for many redox reactions in the body. To maintain good functioning it is required that the concentration of iron in the blood was within the normal range. An increase or decrease in the level of this substance in the blood leads to the development of various pathologies.
Iron rates depend on age. So, its normal values in children and pregnant women are slightly higher than in middle-aged men. The need for iron increases significantly during periods of active growth and development. Also, the utilization of this substance at this time increases significantly.
Iron is not synthesized in the human body. To maintain its constant normal concentration requires a regular supply of it from the outside. For this, future mothers are prescribed by doctors a special diet that includes foods rich in this substance. Any errors in such nutritional therapy will only increase the negative manifestations.
The level of hemoglobin in different periods of intrauterine development of the fetus is different. In order to timely identify emerging pathologies, doctors have created special laboratory criteria. They allow you to separate the norm from the pathology.
It is important to note that hemoglobin is determined only in blood. In urine and other biological fluids, this indicator is not studied.
Such laboratory criteria are drawn up for each period and week of pregnancy. These tables are used by physicians of various specialties who observe pregnant women. Hemoglobin shows them the severity of various functional disorders that form in different periods of pregnancy.
Norms in pregnant women
Obstetricians-gynecologists and therapists note that during the entire period of pregnancy it is very important to assess the hemoglobin levels in the blood. Any deviations from the norm should be an important reason for a more advanced complex of diagnostics. A pronounced deficiency or increase in the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood is an indication for referral to a consultation with a hematologist.
The normal values of these protein molecules in the blood largely depend on the obstetric gestational age. It is measured in weeks. Taking into account the obstetric term, the entire period of pregnancy is divided into 3 trimesters. Each of them has 12 weeks. This division is used by doctors of all specialties when working with pregnant women.
In the first trimester
This period includes the first twelve weeks. This period is very important for the unborn baby. It is in the first trimester that all vital organs and systems are formed in the baby. Doctors call this process organogenesis.
The significance of this period cannot be overstated. In the future, he, as a rule, determines how well all the systems of internal organs have developed in the baby. Many genetic diseases or chromosomal defects can occur at this time.
A change in the concentration of hemoglobin in the mother's blood during this period can lead to the formation of various defects in intrauterine development in the child. That is why in the first trimester of pregnancy, the expectant mother can take a general blood test quite often.
For optimal growth and development, the embryo during this period requires the entire complex of nutrients, oxygen and trace elements. The expectant mother must certainly remember this. Compliance with the doctor's recommendations and proper nutrition are the key to the normal course of the first trimester of pregnancy.
At this time, the normal values of hemoglobin in the blood are indicators from 112 to 159 g / l. Any deviations from the norm must necessarily be the reason for an extended set of diagnostics. In this case, the expectant mother may need to pass additional biochemical tests and undergo an ultrasound scan. All these studies will be prescribed to a pregnant woman by her obstetrician-gynecologist and therapist.
In the second
This time of pregnancy is also very important. It lasts until the 28th obstetric week. At this time, the baby continues to actively grow and develop in the mother's tummy. His heart has been beating for a long time. By the middle of the second trimester, the expectant mother may feel her baby start to push.
The circumference of the "pregnant" tummy continues to grow. This is a very important and good sign that the baby is growing and developing. To monitor the intrauterine development of the fetus at this stage, doctors also prescribe future mothers to take general blood tests, assessing hemoglobin indicators.
An actively developing baby requires more oxygen. This leads to normal hemoglobin values begin to decline during this period of pregnancy. This is the functional norm. Concentrations of 108-144 g / liter are considered normal values.
Experienced laboratory technicians determine the level of hemoglobin in the blood "by eye". This is possible when donating blood for a general analysis. If the hemoglobin concentration becomes too low, then the blood looks very thin. An increase in the blood plasma of this substance leads to its significant thickening, and in some cases even contributes to thrombus formation.
In third
This period of pregnancy begins at obstetric week 29. This is the final stage of bearing a baby and a kind of preparation for childbirth. In the normal course of pregnancy, only control over the level of hemoglobin in the blood is required. If doctors have identified some pathologies in earlier trimesters, then it may be necessary to take tests more often.
At the final stage of bearing a baby, the concentration of hemoglobin in the female body is 110-139 g / l. Subsequently, these norms will be approximately the same after childbirth. In a newborn baby, hemoglobin levels in the blood will change monthly in the first year of life.
In the pathological course of pregnancy during this period of pregnancy, as a rule, the indicators of this protein component are often low. High hemoglobin levels in the third trimester are much less common. If the expectant mother has diabetes mellitus, then often, in addition to the altered concentration of iron, she will have increased glycated hemoglobin.
Below is a summary table of the normal values of hemoglobin in the blood by weeks of pregnancy:
Reasons for the increase
An increase in hemoglobin in the blood does not always happen with pathologies. It is interesting that expectant mothers who live in high mountains have a physiologically high concentration of hemoglobin in their blood. This feature is due to the presence of a huge amount of oxygen dissolved in the air.
Expectant mothers who live in ecologically clean places may also have a slightly increased level of hemoglobin in their blood. If no other changes in the blood are detected, then they should not worry about this. After the baby is born, these indicators are normalized.
A significant increase in hemoglobin in the blood of a pregnant woman is, as a rule, a manifestation of pathology. In most cases, this situation is caused by deficiency conditions for vitamins B9 and B12. These substances are necessary for many hematopoietic reactions that develop both in the body of the expectant mother and her baby.
An increase in hemoglobin can be a manifestation of chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in a pregnant woman. Quite often it happens that before the onset of pregnancy, the expectant mother does not even know that she has such pathologies. Many of the diseases are not manifested clearly enough and have "erased" symptoms.
Diseases of the urinary tract and kidneys can cause an increase in hemoglobin in the blood of the expectant mother. In this case, an additional complex of diagnostics is required. A general urine test, and in some situations a bacterial culture, will help doctors establish the correct diagnosis. To clarify the pathology, it may also be necessary to conduct an ultrasound examination.
In some situations, an increase in hemoglobin is a family feature. In this case it is necessary to clarify whether such manifestations were in close family members. Some genetic diseases are also accompanied by high levels of hemoglobin in the blood. However, it should be noted that an increased level of hemoglobin in this case is recorded in a woman even before pregnancy.
An increase in hemoglobin during pregnancy is a very unfavorable symptom that requires mandatory consultation with a doctor. Usually, treatment is prescribed when the concentration in the blood of this substance exceeds 160 g / liter.
High hemoglobin levels are very dangerous, especially over a long period of time. They can lead to an increase in blood clots.
Why is it going down?
Doctors identify several reasons that contribute to the development of an anemic condition. Anemia is a pathology in which the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood is significantly reduced. These pathological conditions can be very different. In pregnant women, iron deficiency anemia is most common.
Below is a table of anemic conditions by severity:
Doctors note that most cases of anemia develop after 26-27 weeks of pregnancy. The presence of anemia is said when the values obtained are below the lower limit of the established norm.
To establish a specific clinical variant of an anemic condition in a future mother, doctors may prescribe auxiliary tests. They usually include the determination of serum iron, ferritin and other laboratory parameters.
To assess the degree of anemia, doctors use several classifications. When the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood is from 90 to 110 g / liter, the anemic condition is mild. The average degree of violations is characterized by a decrease in this indicator below 89, but it still exceeds 70 g / liter. A lower concentration indicates the development of a severe anemic condition.
A variety of reasons can lead to the development of such pathologies. The most common of these is a decrease in alimentary iron intake. In this case, the macronutrient is not ingested in sufficient quantities with food. Quite often, this condition manifests itself in expectant mothers who are on a vegetarian diet.
In the first half of pregnancy, toxicosis leads to the development of an anemic state. The most dangerous clinical variants are accompanied by severe repeated vomiting. This condition leads to a decrease in the volume of circulating fluid, which contributes to the development of an anemic condition.
Taking certain types of medicinal substances is also a triggering cause leading to a decrease in the level of hemoglobin in the blood. Especially often, such situations occur with prolonged use of drugs during pregnancy.
Immunosuppressive and antineoplastic agents can lower hemoglobin levels. They are used for strict medical reasons.
Diseases of the stomach and intestines can also lead to the development of an anemic state in the expectant mother. Ulcerative defects and erosive colitis, occurring with the development of clinical symptoms, can lead to a pronounced decrease in blood iron. These conditions are extremely unfavorable, especially during pregnancy. They should still be treated. before pregnancy.
Optimal bowel function is essential. It ensures the absorption of all nutrients, and also helps maintain the constancy of microflora and vitamins in the body. Dysbacteriosis or irritable bowel syndrome are common pathologies in which anemic conditions appear. As a rule, the severity of functional disorders is mild.
Constant exhausting stress can also lead to a decrease in hemoglobin in the blood. The most dangerous are prolonged stressful effects. This contributes to a strong spasm of the blood vessels, which only has an aggravating effect on the development of the anemic state.
Multiple pregnancies are a common situation in which an anemic condition develops. Babies growing in the womb consume a lot of nutrients. This inevitably leads to the development of anemia in a pregnant woman. To compensate for this condition, doctors strongly recommend that future mothers who are carrying twins or triplets regularly take multivitamin preparations.
Another very interesting reason leading to the development of an anemic state in the expectant mother is the previous recent birth. Obstetricians-gynecologists note that if a woman has a second pregnancy a year after the birth of her first baby, then the risk of developing an anemic state in her increases several times.Usually, this pathology completely normalizes immediately after childbirth.
Symptoms
With a pronounced decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood, the expectant mother develops specific symptoms. At first, the degree of their severity is insignificant. As the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood decreases, negative symptoms begin to progress.
At first, the expectant mother feels only a slight general weakness. She tends to sleep more often. At the same time, pathological drowsiness worries more in the first half of the day. With the progression of anemia, a pregnant woman experiences a feeling of shortness of breath. In some cases, sleep is disturbed. This symptom usually presents with severe insomnia.
Exercise tolerance is also significantly reduced. For moms suffering from anemia in the third trimester of pregnancy, it is much more difficult to perform even the usual household loads. Climbing stairs multiple flights can also lead to shortness of breath. This symptom progresses markedly with each subsequent week of pregnancy.
Women with anemia are quite common complain of headache... It is usually of moderate intensity. With a significant decrease in hemoglobin, the intensity of the headache increases significantly. Also, pregnant women may complain of severe dizziness.
Stool disorder is another characteristic symptom encountered in anemic conditions. A pregnant woman becomes constipated. Abdominal soreness is also a common symptom that occurs with this condition.
With a pronounced decrease in hemoglobin, the appearance changes greatly. The skin becomes very pale. The mucous membranes of the lips and the area of the nasolabial triangle turn blue and become bluish in color. In some cases, the skin becomes gray and "earthy" in appearance.
Hair begins to fall out a lot. At the same time, the nails become very brittle and exfoliate strongly. The mom-to-be has "strange" eating habits. Pregnant women want to eat chalk or are drawn to incompatible food combinations.
How to normalize?
In order to normalize this indicator in the blood, doctors make up a set of recommendations. It includes not only the appointment of medicinal or multivitamin preparations, but also general advice on how to comply with the daily regimen and optimize nutrition.
These recommendations should be followed every day for a future mother suffering from anemia. Any omissions can worsen the situation. It should be remembered that a decrease in hemoglobin is extremely unfavorable for the fetus.
Strong drop in concentration can even lead to the development of dangerous life-threatening conditions for the unborn baby, which will eventually cause spontaneous miscarriage.
Therapists treat anemia during pregnancy. It is these specialists who must identify the cause of the development of this pathological condition and prescribe a set of necessary treatment. If this situation has arisen due to hematological pathologies, then these specialists involve hematologists in the work. Collaborative observation helps to achieve better results.
The hemoglobin level should be monitored throughout the entire period of pregnancy. Even after the prescribed treatment, control over the development of this condition is required.
If no positive results are observed against the background of the therapy, then in this case it is required compulsory medical consultation. On it, specialists will make a collective decision on how to adjust therapy for a particular patient.
Non-drug methods
A change in the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood is a significant reason to seriously revise the daily regimen. Optimal body function is impossible without quality sleep. During such a rest, the pregnant woman's body is charged with energy, and the nervous system is fully resting.
The expectant mother should sleep at least 8-9 hours. It is better to ventilate the room before going to bed for better sleep. If you have difficulty falling asleep, then you can use a special technique - use an aromatic lamp with the addition of a few drops of lavender oil. This substance has a good calming effect on the nervous system and improves sleep.
Limiting any physical activity is a very important principle that should be applied throughout the entire period of pregnancy. It should be noted right away that you should not lie in a horizontal position for all three trimesters. It is worth choosing only those loads that do not cause severe shortness of breath or heart palpitations.
In late pregnancy, you need to take a short break between taking active actions. For this, 10-20 minutes is enough. Alternating loads is the best way to exercise your body and increasing exercise tolerance.
The best physical activity for pregnant women in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy is walking in the fresh air. At the same time, the pace of walking should be moderate. Running is not the best choice of exercise while carrying a baby. Doctors exclude jogging for expectant mothers who carry twins or become pregnant as a result of IVF.
During pregnancy, expectant mothers it is forbidden to be nervous. This simple but very effective rule is often forgotten, but in vain! The optimal work of the nervous system of the expectant mother allows the nerve cells of her baby to fully develop and form.
Constant stress leads to disruption of blood supply and innervation of the fetus, which negatively affects its intrauterine development.
Diet
Adequate nutrition during pregnancy is of key importance, especially in anemic iron deficiency conditions. To compensate for hemoglobin in the blood, iron-rich foods must be included in the diet of the expectant mother. They should be consumed daily. If the expectant mother had an anemic condition before pregnancy or arose in the early stages of bearing a baby, then in this case, iron-containing foods should be eaten throughout pregnancy.
If anemia is detected, doctors make special nutritional recommendations for a pregnant woman. They include all the main products, which "raise" hemoglobin in the blood. Some of these recommendations even include a sample menu for the day. This is very convenient, since the expectant mother can create her own diet for herself, using them as an illustrative example.
To normalize hemoglobin, pregnant women should eat any type of red meat. This product contains the highest concentration of iron. Meals made from lean beef, pork, or game will be a great option for an anemic patient.
Small concentrations of iron are also found in nuts, beets, berries, and some fruits and vegetables. In sea fish, the iron content is much lower than in red meat. For better assimilation of it, doctors recommend that you consume enough fruit. They contain a large amount of ascorbic acid, which is necessary for the absorption of this macronutrient.
Cereals are a great side dish to complement red meat. They also contain iron, but in a lower concentration. As a cereal side dish, barley groats, legumes (especially lentils), buckwheat are perfect.
Expectant mothers who want to normalize the level of hemoglobin in their body should not abuse black tea.
Experts have found that this product contains a lot of different biologically active substances that inhibit the absorption of iron. It is better to replace this product with fruit drinks or herbal infusions prepared at home. Various compotes made from fruits and berries are also perfect.
Scientists have found that the best dessert for expectant mothers suffering from iron deficiency is several slices of dark chocolate. This product contains iron as well as natural endorphins. Such a delicacy will not only improve mood and hemoglobin, but also have a positive effect on the skin. Please remember that this product should not be consumed by women with various types of food allergies.
Drug therapy
A change in the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood due to insufficient intake of vitamins requires the mandatory appointment of multivitamin complexes. They are selected individually for each patient. Before prescribing such drugs, her age, concomitant diseases, and the nature of pregnancy must be taken into account.
Multivitamins are usually given at regular intervals. Such funds are taken 1-2 times a day. The first monitoring of the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment is usually performed after a few weeks. This time is necessary to compensate for hemoglobin in the blood and normalize its indicators.
If any chronic diseases in the mother have led to the development of an anemic state, then in this case, the prescription of drugs is already required. They are discharged for strict medical reasons so as not to harm the fetus.
Funds are selected that do not have a teratogenic (not leading to the development of intrauterine pathologies) action.
For mild to moderate anemic conditions, oral medications are recommended. More severe forms of anemic conditions are treated with the appointment of injectable forms. Such treatment is carried out in a hospital.
Usually, the indication for hospitalization is the need to compensate for severe functional disorders. Refusal of such treatment with severe anemia can lead to very negative consequences for both the expectant mother and her baby.
For information on how to increase hemoglobin during pregnancy, see the next video.
