Explore causes, symptoms, and Ayurvedic remedies for pregnancy anaemia. Discover iron-rich diets, herbal treatments, and lifestyle tips for better health.
Dr. Monisha V M
Pregnancy is a journey that can be different for different women! There is a lot that comes with it in the form of excitement and expectations, but this has its downsides as well.
One difficulty that many pregnant women face is anaemia. It’s useful to know what anaemia is and how it might affect you during this period. Have you ever considered how Ayurveda would deal with this? Let us see it in detail!
Anaemia is a condition in which red blood cells are deficient. This causes insipid oxygen to be delivered to various body parts, leading to tiredness, weakness, and other health issues.
Many alterations take place in the body during pregnancy, such as the expansion of blood volume and the requirement for iron in the growing fetus. Such increased need is easily associated with anaemia, especially the iron deficiency form, which is the most common during this period. Curious to know how this can happen. Read more to find out.
Increased Blood Volume: Since the child is also getting bigger in your pregnancy, it is quite normal that blood volume has to increase as well—up to 50%, to be exact. Because of this dilution, you are expected to have low haemoglobin levels. This is one of the major factors to be addressed regarding anaemia during pregnancy.
Iron Deficiency and Requirements: Iron demand increases during pregnancy. It is normal to require up to 1,000mg of iron in total throughout the pregnancy, of which approximately 300mg would go directly to the developing fetus and placenta.
Dietary Factors: Lack of iron-rich foods in diets or dietary restrictions imposed on women may prevent them from having adequate amounts of nutrients in their bodies.
Socioeconomic Factors: In many parts of the world, such as in developing countries like India, there are widespread cases of anaemia due to malnutrition and the unavailability of health services.
Now that you understand anaemia and how it occurs during pregnancy, let's discuss its symptoms and how Ayurveda can help you manage them.
It is also important to note that anaemia is a treatable disease if the person can recognise the pertinent symptoms, which may include the following:
In case, any of these symptoms are observed, it is advised to get in touch with a physician so that the diagnosis and treatment can be started immediately.
Anaemia in pregnancy is known in Ayurveda as ‘Garbhini Pandu,’ which means a deficiency of blood and life force in the expectant mother. In Ayurveda, anaemia is considered to occur mainly due to the improper assimilation of nutrients. (rasavaha srothodushti). Symptoms include pallor, weakness, and tiredness, all of which are not good for a mother at such an important stage.
However, as the fetus grows, it will utilise the nutrients of the mother, so pregnant women should be careful about their hygiene during food. Nowadays, with the lack of good nutrition, it is common to find mothers being affected, including their children with low birth weights or impairments during developmental stages.
To avoid Garbhini Pandu, expectant mothers must manage a balanced diet that includes green leafy vegetables, legumes, poultry, meat, fortified cereals, etc. Foods rich in vitamin C can be introduced to the patient in such cases where iron absorption is necessary. Water intake, protein and healthy fat ratio, and strict adherence to the prenatal vitamin intake prescribed by the physician can help compensate for the health during pregnancy. When women eat proper diets during pregnancy, there is a dual benefit as they get the needed energy, and good conditions are provided for the development of the fetus.
Garbhini Pandu has several causes, which are described in Ayurveda as follows;
What can be done to regain proper nutrition from these foods? Ayurveda focuses on combining these methodologies to help women alter their diets and other lifestyle factors to address anaemia during pregnancy.
Ayurveda holds an all-around approach to managing anaemia. It gives importance not only to medicines but also to your diet and lifestyle activities. Read on to understand each of these aspects in detail:
Iron: Grass and Vegetables attended at forage on animal nutrition; peas and beans, seeds and nuts, as well as blue sources, are also recommended.
Vitamin C: Vitamin C is helpful for mechanically completing steel and iron sources. Consuming vitamin C foods such as strawberries, bell peppers, and citrus fruits is helpful.
Avoid Heavy Meals: Heavy meals, including the greasy types, slow down digestion; thereby, excesses should be avoided.
Hydration: Drinking plenty of water and herbal teas helps the body detect the presence of consumable substances.
Ayurveda uses certain herbal remedies known as blood builders to help improve blood health. Along with these medicines, Raisins, or Draksha, are also considered beneficial because they provide energy and contain nutrients that help fight fatigue.
It's important to consult with an Ayurveda practitioner before using these remedies to ensure they are suitable for your individual needs. Ayurveda medicinal formulations are devoid of any side effects like constipation, black stools, or gastric issues, which usually occur during the consumption of iron tablets for anaemia.
Pregnancy can cause significant changes in your body's physiology. During this time, your haemoglobin levels may be affected. To adapt to these changes, we should follow the recommendations suggested by Ayurveda.
Regular Physical Activity: Activities that involve the physical body include walking and expecting mothers engaging in yoga to enhance physical and blood flow and circulation of organs.
Stress Control: The masses need to be encouraged to manage stress, for instance, through relaxation methods such as meditative exercises or activities that engage muscles.
Ample Sleep: Feeling tired during the day is going to be a constant issue, but nighttime should help you recover because your body needs that rest.
It's very important to have check-ups when you're pregnant. Our expert Ayurveda doctors at Apollo AyurVAID can monitor the haemoglobin levels you have in your blood regularly. If needed, they might give you Ayurveda medicinal formulations in addition to what you eat.
Getting pregnant is always a time full of excitement and extraordinary changes. But it is mandatory to prevent certain conditions, like anaemia. The first step in taking control of your health is to know the risks involved and the signs that come along with such risks, in this case both you and your baby.
There are many reasons why it is ideal to bless yourself with some of the Ayurveda concepts that can come in very handy during this phase. A proper diet, herbal medicine, and a suitable lifestyle can be adopted to manage pregnancy in the best possible ways. Just imagine enjoying delicious meals that not only satisfy your hunger but also uplift your mood.
It is also very important to look after your well-being as a mother-to-be, just as it is necessary to get ready for the upcoming baby. It is possible to make the most of these periods by joyfully anticipating what is to come while following holistic approaches. Relish this special period filled with enthusiasm and eagerness, and get ready to embark on a great journey.
FAQs
Anaemia is a condition where red blood cells are deficient, leading to tiredness and weakness. During pregnancy, increased blood volume and higher iron requirements for the growing fetus can lead to anemia.
Ayurveda views anaemia as Garbhini Pandu and recommends a balanced diet, iron-rich foods, herbal supplements, and lifestyle modifications to restore blood health and vitality.
Herbal formulations specifically meant for anaemia in pregnancy and iron-rich foods such as raisins, leafy greens, and fortified cereals, are commonly suggested after consulting an Ayurveda practitioner.
Incorporate iron-rich foods, combine them with Vitamin C sources for better absorption, stay hydrated, and avoid heavy, greasy meals that can slow digestion.
Regular physical activity like walking or yoga, stress management through relaxation techniques, and ensuring ample sleep contribute to maintaining overall health and preventing anemia.
