Iron deficiency anemia of pregnant women
Iron deficiency anemia is a condition in which the iron content in the body decreases. Iron deficiency anemia of pregnant women is a major problem in bearing a child, which affects the course of pregnancy and the normal development of the unborn child.
During pregnancy, the need for this micronutrient increases. So the future mother needs to take care of the iron stores in her body in advance. Otherwise, there is a decrease in hemoglobin in the blood, which leads to hypoxia - oxygen starvation of the brain and the body as a whole. Hypoxia is manifested by dizziness, constant weakness, headache, palpitations, shortness of breath, fainting, decreased performance. Reducing the concentration of iron in the blood in a pregnant woman is manifested by pallor and dry skin, mucous membranes, a distinct "blue" sclera, cracks in the corners of the mouth, brittle and hair loss, changes in the shape of the nails, increased fatigue, changes in taste and smell (addiction to the smell of acetone, gasoline , varnish, etc.). It is possible the appearance on the hands and on the face (in the nasolabial triangle) of light yellowness. In anemia, pregnant women become more susceptible to a variety of infections.
With anemia of pregnant women, many complications develop, both in the mother and in the fetus. Deficiency of iron causes hypoxia of the fetus, the threat of miscarriage increases. During labor - there may be weakness of labor, bleeding in the second and third stages of labor, premature birth, etc. For a child, iron deficiency creates a danger much greater, such as a lag in growth, a slowdown in its development, and a newborn's immunity decreases, he becomes more susceptible to infectious diseases.
To eliminate iron deficiency in the body of women, doctors recommend that pregnant women fully eat and take iron-containing medications. On the recommendation of WHO, all pregnant women during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy and in the first months of lactation should take iron preparations.
Puffiness
From the second trimester of pregnancy, women often experience heaviness in the legs, swelling and pasty. This trouble happens due to the fact that during the carrying out of the child the volume of circulating blood increases, the enlarged uterus squeezes the veins in the small pelvis, there is a load on the heart, as a result of which it no longer copes well with the pile.
The problem of puffiness for a pregnant woman becomes more palpable in the last months of pregnancy. Most often swollen hands and feet, sometimes the face, they swell usually in the afternoon, if you have spent a long time on your feet, or in hot weather. Often, swelling is a symptom of very serious complications of pregnancy - nephropathy, pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. Therefore, if you have a severe headache, there are flies before your eyes, dizziness, you should immediately call an ambulance. Since eclampsia is fraught with severe consequences for the mother and fetus.
To reduce puffiness, you must follow certain recommendations:
- limit the consumption of salt in the food, because, everyone knows that salt detains fluid in the body;
- Try to lie less on your back and right side. The best option for later terms is the left side.
- rest more. If you lie, then put your feet on the pillow, if you sit, then on a special bench to improve the outflow of blood from the lower limbs;
- Choose yourself a free and suitable shoes;
- Do not sit for a long time, zapriknuv leg on the leg. In this position, the blood vessels become compressed and the blood stagnates;
- do not limit the intake of liquid, since dehydration can lead to the opposite result.
If swellings all the same have appeared, use special medicinal ointments which are resolved at pregnancy. In no case should you take diuretics. In any case, before you do anything, consult your doctor. He will determine the causes of edema and tell you how to cope with it.
Phlebeurysm
Very often, women suffer from varicose veins during pregnancy. During this period, the enlarged uterus compresses the veins, the small pelvis. This leads to venous stasis. Another factor contributing to varicose veins is hormonal changes during pregnancy. They lead to a decrease in the elasticity of the venous wall, as a result of which the veins can no longer cope with their work perfectly. All this is facilitated by an increase in the volume of circulating blood from the second trimester of pregnancy. If your mom or grandmother had similar problems, then you are more likely to develop varicose veins. And this means that you must take care of your legs before pregnancy, or at least remember them early, when the problem is not aggravated yet.
There is a huge amount of funds designed to reduce the unpleasant manifestations of varicose veins. They help improve blood circulation, restore the elasticity of the venous walls, have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, and prevent thrombosis.
However, in order to prevent the need for treatment, it is necessary to lead a more active lifestyle during pregnancy. Walk more in the fresh air. Rest with the raised legs it promotes improvement of a venous outflow, and legs or foots have a rest. Pay close attention to your clothes and shoes. Do not wear clothes with tight elastic band: pantyhose, socks, narrow boots. To improve the tone of the venous walls twice a day, when taking a shower, do contrastive douches of the legs. Finish this procedure with cool water. Sign in to the pool.
And remember that, like any other disease, varicose veins are easier to prevent than treat. Before using any medicine, be sure to consult your doctor.
Stretching
The appearance of stretch marks - brilliant, or in severe cases, bluish-red lines on the skin in the abdomen of the chest, thighs and buttocks can very upset the future mother. But do not worry, usually after the birth, all these shortcomings are minimal and almost invisible. The thing is that our skin is very sensitive to the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. These hormonal storms help to reduce the elasticity of the skin, and as during pregnancy a woman intensively gaining weight and the skin stretches, this causes this unpleasant phenomenon. I would like to add that the appearance of stretch marks, as well as their number, depends on the prenatal state of the skin. If you care for your skin, nourish it, moisturize, exercise, then, naturally, you will not have stretch marks. To improve the skin during pregnancy, watch your diet, try not to gain extra pounds, take a contrast shower. Every evening, rub baby oil in the skin or use special creams from stretch marks. Very well moisturizes the skin with olive oil. Get a bra, and panties that support the chest, and a growing tummy. Also it is not necessary to worry, usually, after sorts or labors, all these disadvantages become minimal and are not appreciable almost.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids - this is one of the most common disabilities that occurs in women, during the carrying of a child. The first signs of this disease are, unpleasant sensations in the anal region, itching, a painful act of defecation, possible bloody discharge. And the nature of this disease, the same as that of varicose veins of the legs. It's all about the stagnation of blood in the small pelvis, which arises from the intensive growth of the uterus. Also, hemorrhoids are promoted by constipation and prolonged stay in a sitting position. Hemorrhoids are inherently the same expansion of veins, only in the anus. And how to deal with the expansion of veins, we already know. This motor activity, prevention of constipation (eat more vegetables, fruits, they have a lot of fiber, porridge and less acute, salty, sweet), drink more liquid. It helps in the early stages of hemorrhoids a cool ascending shower on the perineal region. Take care that before delivery you take the situation under control. Since after birth, hemorrhoids are usually aggravated.
Toxicosis (gestosis)
Very often during pregnancy, women suffer from toxicosis. The early toxicosis is manifested by nausea, vomiting and panticism (increased salivation). Almost every woman during pregnancy carries a nausea from time to time. Sometimes they have vomiting, but this is not a toxicosis, and even less requires special treatment. Usually these phenomena pass by the third month on their own. Women who carry twins can suffer from this trouble all pregnancy. But here repeated vomiting, which leads to loss of appetite, weight loss is a complication of pregnancy and can become a threat of termination of pregnancy. In mild forms of early toxicosis, vomiting is observed several times a day, usually after a meal. With this form, part of the food, still lingers in the stomach and the pregnant woman does not lose weight. In severe forms, vomiting can be uncontrollable, more than 20 times a day and not be associated with eating. This condition dramatically depletes the body of a pregnant woman and requires urgent medical intervention. But fortunately, severe forms of early gestosis are very rare. To facilitate nausea and vomiting, you must follow certain rules.
- In the morning, before getting out of bed, squeeze something light, such as a cookie, a sandwich, drink juice;
- eat often and in small portions;
- Avoid food and odors that provoke nausea and vomiting;
- avoid stuffy rooms, walk more in the fresh air;
- Take vitamins. Vitamins of group B, which are included in complex preparations for pregnant women, reduce morning sickness;
- Drink small sips of water with lemon, if you feel nauseous;
- Sleep well and do not overdo it.
Heartburn
Burning pain in the lower retrosternal or epigastric region occurs as a result of throwing the contents of the stomach into the lower parts of the esophagus. Most pregnant women feel heartburn in the last months of pregnancy after eating, but this state lasts from several minutes to several hours. People say that women feel heartburn when the baby's hair grows. It is difficult to judge whether this is true or not, but hairy and absolutely bald babies are born as in mothers who have experienced heartburn all through pregnancy, and those who have no idea about it. Most likely, the casting of the contents of the stomach into the esophagus is due to the support of the pregnant woman's uterus and the increase in intra-abdominal pressure. Very good help to get rid of heartburn folk methods.
- eat a little grated carrots, when you feel an attack of heartburn;
- a very beneficial effect of wax honey. Chew a piece of honeycomb, instead of chewing gum after eating;
- Drink mineral water, but only without gas;
- eat small portions and often, without overloading the stomach;
- watch your food. Eliminate spicy, spicy dishes, eliminate fatty meats and fish, fresh bread, coffee, carbonated drinks, and sour berries and fruits.