Postpartum Anemia Symptoms after Child Birth and Treatment

Postpartum Anemia Symptoms after Child Birth and Treatment

Women who gave childbirth may get postpartum anemia (PPA). Postpartum anemia occurs because of iron deficiency or excessive bleeding or pre-existing conditions during pregnancy. Severe PPA may be a severe problem that may lead to maternal death of about 40% worldwide. A lesser count of hemoglobin than normal count is called anemia. These can worsen when the women are pregnant. After a week of postpartum if the hemoglobin level is less than 110g/L to 120g/L till the 8th week, then the women have postpartum anemia.

Common Symptoms of Anemia

There are three stages of anemia in which LID (Later iron Deficiency) occurs in step 1 & 2, where the anemia happens in phase 3.

The First Stage

In the first stage, the depletion of the iron level in bone marrow causes severe loss, whereas hemoglobin and serum iron level remains the same. It is difficult to identify an anemic person at this stage.

The Second Stage

In the second stage, symptoms include frequent headache, laziness, more tiredness during the day time are the symptoms of anemia. The hemoglobin production effects in this stage of anemia. Deficiency can be identified through a blood test.

The Third Stage

In the third stage, the anemia gets entirely developed in the body because of the low level of hemoglobin count. Women feel extremely tired and feel sick with unusual personality confirms the third stage of anemia.

Symptoms of anemia after pregnancy

After the childbirth, the mother loses energy with a massive drop of iron in the body. Women have the following symptoms of postpartum anemia

1. 1. 1. Extreme tiredness even in the day time
      2. General physical weakness
      3. Too much of depression with a sense of confusion
      4. Skin color turned to pale
      5. Baby feels sick that leads to low weight gain
      6. Feeling dizziness & shortness of breath
      7. Reduction in sex drive
      8. Reduction in the milk quantity for baby feeding
      9. An uncountable number of heartbeats rapidly
      10. The decrease in immunity power and frequent headache are the symptoms of postpartum anemia.

Causes of Anemia after Pregnancy

The postpartum anemia is developed because of the following reasons.

Poor Diet

The intake of iron nutrition was insufficient during or before pregnancy will cause postpartum anemia. It is essential to diet 4.4mg of iron per day.

During the menstruation period, if the women lose heavy blood may lose iron in the body. It is essential to take iron supplements, as the food does not contain enough iron nutrients.

Peripartum Blood Loss

At the time of childbirth, the iron in the body depletes to maximum blood loss can lead to postpartum anemia. Few women have severe blood loss during this period may cause the risk of high anemia problem.

Intestinal Diseases

The diseases like Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and celiac disease may affect the absorption of iron in the body may cause severe anemia.

Anemia must be treated as early as possible to avoid the risk of anemia before or after delivery. Some of the severe dangers of anemia are

1. 1. • It is tough to complete the daily routine task. Women may struggle severely to finish the regular job as per the schedule.
      • There is a higher chance of premature delivery. If premature birth occurs, there may be too much complication to grow up the child.
      • Death due to fatigue

Treatment for Postpartum Anemia

More than taking medicines, the anemia problem can be easily resolved by changing the regular diet and lifestyle.

Iron Supplements

Improve the level of iron in the body using iron supplements every day. A supplement may be of any forms like capsule, tablet or tonic as per the Doctor’s advice.

Eating rich iron content food

The iron contents are more in green leaves and vegetables. Green spinaches are highly recommended to increase the iron content in the body.

1. 1. • Make sure to add beans, peas, and cereals in your daily food routine.
      • Eat healthy fresh fruits like apricots, strawberries, squash, and pumpkins that are highly rich in iron.
      • Non-vegetarian foods like beef, oyster, and chicken much help to increase the iron level in the body.

Avoid drinking beverages

Caffeine contains tannin that slows down the iron in the body. Postpartum women are advised to avoid beverages like tea, coffee, black tea, etc.

Vitamin C

The food that is rich in Vitamin C helps to increase the amount of iron in the body. A lot of fruits have sources of Vitamin C. The high intake of calcium also reduces the iron absorption in the body.

High Fluid Consumption

After pregnancy, stay hydrated that helps to improve the blood flow after childbirth. Regular intake of fluid helps in the protection of urinary tract infection. It is recommended to drink 2 liters of fluid every day. The excessive consumption of fluid may dilute the blood.

Stool Softeners

Constipation is the anemia side effect. To get rid of the impact, stool softens consumed, which can prevent hemorrhoids after pregnancy.

Risk of infection

If you are anemic, then the immunity power of the body dramatically reduces the energy level of the body. This, in turn, increases the risk of infection.

Take rest

The anemic person may feel lazy, dizziness, giddiness, insomnia, leg cramp, pale skin, and severe headache. During this time, it is essential to take continuous and sufficient rest. Maintain your iron level by following the above-said diet plan. If you manage anemia, postpartum anemia treatment may be avoided.