Eat fruits and meat - raise hemoglobin during pregnancy. © Shutterstock

Often during pregnancy, the hemoglobin level in women drops sharply. Among the causes of low hemoglobin are diseases internal organs, stress, low blood pressure. Find out on site what foods increase hemoglobin during pregnancy.

The normal hemoglobin level is 120 g / l or even 100-110 g / l. During pregnancy, hemoglobin often decreases by the second trimester.

Decreased hemoglobin is anemia. Anemia is evidenced by drowsiness, a constant feeling of fatigue and a decline in emotional tone, tachycardia, lack of appetite, indigestion, shortness of breath, as well as brittle hair and nails, and frequent colds.

What is hemoglobin

Hemoglobin is a complex iron-containing protein that is responsible for transporting oxygen from the respiratory system to different fabrics and actively participates in the transfer of carbon dioxide to the respiratory organs.

If hemoglobin drops before the 24th week of pregnancy, the woman may be anemic.

How to increase hemoglobin levels during pregnancy

If your hemoglobin level is severely low, your doctor will prescribe iron supplements for you. Also during pregnancy must be taken.

And you also need to walk more and perform in the fresh air.

What foods increase hemoglobin during pregnancy

© Shutterstock 1. Animal products: pork and beef, quail, white chicken, fish.

2. Porridge and legumes: buckwheat, beans, peas, rye.

3. Fresh vegetables: potatoes, pumpkin, beets, onions, green vegetables, mustard, watercress.

4. Fruits: apples, plums, pomegranates, pears, peaches, persimmons, quince, bananas.

5. Berries: black currants, strawberries, blueberries, strawberries, viburnum, cranberries.

6. Juices: pomegranate, beetroot, carrot.

7. Walnuts, red caviar, seafood, eggs, dried fruits, hematogen, dark chocolate.

A mixture of dried fruits with honey and lemon increases hemoglobin well, walnuts on an empty stomach, buckwheat porridge, but not boiled, but steamed, as well as carrot juice with a small amount of olive oil.

Why is it difficult to increase hemoglobin during pregnancy

Black tea interferes with iron absorption, so replace it with green tea.

© Shutterstock Iron from animal products is much better absorbed than plant-based iron.

Therefore, pregnant women simply need meat, poultry, fish and liver.

For the body to normally absorb iron, vitamin C is needed, which also helps to absorb folic acid.

Therefore, a pregnant woman needs 75 mg of vitamin C daily for proper absorption of iron.

So much vitamin C is found in a teacup of broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cranberry, orange, grapefruit or pineapple juice, papaya, and fresh strawberries.

A decrease in hemoglobin is one of the most common pregnancy problems. This phenomenon is called anemia and is characterized by a decrease in the concentration of red blood cells in the blood. In everyday language, the body lacks iron.

At the same time, most women begin to fear for the health of the baby and want to quickly correct the situation.

Is this fear justified? Is anemia dangerous for an expectant mother and child? How can you raise low hemoglobin during pregnancy?

How does blood change during pregnancy?

With the onset of pregnancy, the body of the expectant mother begins to work with double strength, because it is necessary to provide the baby with nutrition and the full development of all systems.

A woman's blood changes: it becomes more viscous, the volume of plasma increases, and the concentration of hemoglobin decreases due to the fact that the mother gives the child a lot of iron.

The norm of hemoglobin in expectant mothers is 110-130 g / liter. In cases where this indicator is lower during pregnancy, iron deficiency anemia is diagnosed.

There is a mild degree of anemia during pregnancy (from 100 to 110 g / l), medium - from 70 to 100 g / l and severe - below 70 g / l.

  • Anemia of the 1st degree for a pregnant woman and a child is not dangerous, but you must definitely pay attention to your diet and correct the situation in natural ways;

The easiest way to increase hemoglobin is by adjusting the diet and including iron-containing foods in the diet.

Note! From the 28th week of pregnancy, there is a natural decrease in hemoglobin due to an increase in blood volume. The hemoglobin index can be 105 mg / l. If it falls below, then you need to adjust according to the principles described in the book on nutrition for pregnant women.

Reasons for a decrease in hemoglobin during pregnancy

  1. Anemia during pregnancy often occurs in women who have a predisposition to it, that is, they always (before pregnancy) had a low hemoglobin level;
  2. Multiple pregnancy: the woman's body is depleted faster, the "reserve" of iron must also be greater;
  3. Malnutrition. If the diet of the expectant mother does not have enough iron-rich foods, then anemia may occur;
  4. Severe toxicosis. Due to vomiting and loss of appetite, the woman's body does not absorb important nutrients, including iron (read the article on the topic: Vomiting during pregnancy >>>;
  5. Bleeding. Any blood loss leads to the fact that the hemoglobin level becomes lower;
  6. Acute, chronic, infectious diseases of internal organs;
  7. Multiparous women develop anemia more often than those who are expecting their first child;
  8. Small interval between pregnancies. If after the previous birth it has not passed three years, then the woman's body has not yet had time to properly recover;
  9. Taking certain medications;
  10. Stress, lack of rest.

How does a decrease in hemoglobin feel?

Symptoms of anemia during pregnancy can include:

  • increased fatigue, drowsiness;
  • dizziness, headaches (current article: Headache during pregnancy >>>);
  • the appearance of tinnitus;
  • dyspnea;
  • increased heart rate;
  • cold limbs;
  • pallor and dryness of the skin;
  • hair and nails become brittle.

With a slight decrease in hemoglobin, no signs may be felt.

Why is low hemoglobin dangerous during pregnancy?

To assess the danger of the current situation, you need to take into account the degree of anemia. With a slight drop in hemoglobin (up to 100 g / liter), there is no threat to the baby and mother. But with more serious deviations, the degree of danger increases and there is a need for urgent action.

Consequences of low hemoglobin during pregnancy for the child and mother:

  1. severe iron deficiency can lead to oxygen starvation the fetus and the lack of nutrients;
  2. there may be a threat of miscarriage;
  3. late toxicosis (see article Gestosis during pregnancy >>>);
  4. placental abruption;
  5. premature birth;
  6. weak labor activity;
  7. bleeding during childbirth;
  8. increased susceptibility of the baby to various infections after childbirth.

The possibility of such consequences occurring is a serious reason for carefully monitoring hemoglobin levels and treating anemia.

How to raise hemoglobin levels?

There are several options for how to increase low hemoglobin levels during pregnancy.

  • Eat more foods high in iron (for example, Pomegranate during pregnancy >>>);
  • Take iron supplements as directed by your doctor;
  • Adjust your lifestyle: be outdoors more often, avoid stress, allocate more time for sleep and rest, reduce physical activity.

Low hemoglobin nutrition

First, you should try to do without medications by making your food better. When planning your diet, it is important to know a few facts about iron and adhere to a number of rules:

  1. Remember that you need to eat not only foods high in iron, but also foods and substances that help it to be absorbed in the body;

These are vitamin C, B9 and B12. Among the foods that accelerate the absorption of iron, one can distinguish sauerkraut, citrus fruits, bananas, plums, pears, vegetables (except for leafy green vegetables).

  1. Products that interfere with the absorption of iron by the body must either be limited in use, or not be combined in one meal with iron-containing food;

Among them - calcium, cereals, corn, green leafy vegetables, dairy products (in particular, cheese, milk). Drinks such as tea, coffee, cocoa also inhibit the absorption of iron.

  1. There are two types of iron: heme and non-heme. Heme iron is found in animal foods such as meat and fish. It is absorbed best of all. Non-heme iron is found in plant foods: buckwheat, beans, peas, lentils.

What should you eat with low hemoglobin during pregnancy?

  • Meat (beef, chicken, rabbit);
  • By-products (tongue, kidneys). The liver is rich in iron;
  • Fatty fish;
  • Seafood, black and red caviar (current article: Fish and seafood during pregnancy >>>);
  • Buckwheat. It is most useful not to cook it, but to steam it;
  • Beans;
  • Rye;
  • Peas;
  • Lentils;
  • Baked potatoes with peel;
  • Pumpkin seeds;
  • Mushrooms (dried ones contain much more iron than fresh ones);
  • Dried fruits (prunes, dried apricots, raisins);
  • Pomegranate juice;
  • Blueberry;
  • Apples (the iron content is higher in dried fruits).

Treating anemia with iron supplements

Quite often, with anemia, doctors prescribe iron preparations in the form of tablets, solutions, syrups, injections.

Among them: vitamin B (cobalamin), Sorbifer Durules, Aktiferin, Maltofer, Ferrum-Lek, Ferroplex, Conferon, Tardiferon.

Important! In no case do not prescribe any medication for yourself, the selection of the remedy should be carried out by the doctor, taking into account your characteristics and situation.

Always read the instructions carefully. Taking these drugs is not combined with many other drugs, in particular with some antibiotics, calcium preparations, etc.

Constipation leads to hemorrhoids, which can be excruciating. Therefore, first of all, try to raise iron with the help of changes in your diet + add herbal syrups to your diet, which you will read about in the book "Secrets of proper nutrition for the expectant mother."

The problem of low hemoglobin during pregnancy is quite common. If you pay close attention to yourself and your baby, eat right and maintain an optimistic attitude, then it can be effectively solved.

Reading time: 7 minutes

The period of bearing a baby is associated with numerous changes in the body of the expectant mother. Low hemoglobin during pregnancy is a common pathology in women, because the level of iron in the blood can fall relative to the norm for a variety of reasons. Many expectant mothers hear such a diagnosis, but not everyone is aware of its danger. It is useful for every woman to get acquainted with the causes of the condition and the health consequences.

What is hemoglobin

Almost everyone has heard this term, but few know what it means. Hemoglobin is a special iron-containing protein found in red blood cells (red blood cells). Its main function is to deliver oxygen from the human lungs to internal organs and tissues and transport carbon dioxide in the opposite direction. Apart from red blood cells, hemoglobin is highly toxic and can cause kidney failure in humans.

What hemoglobin should a pregnant woman have?

In order to start fighting the pathology in time, it is important to know what concentration of red blood cells in the blood is considered normal. Hemoglobin is slightly lowered during pregnancy in all women. His normal level is 120-140 g / l. The process of waiting for a child provides for other indicators of hemoglobin, depending on the duration of pregnancy:

  • first trimester: from 112 to 160 g / l;
  • second trimester: from 106 to 144 g / l;
  • third trimester: drops to 100 g / l are allowed.

Decreased hemoglobin during pregnancy

This disorder is diagnosed by certain symptoms of anemia. In addition, doctors prescribe the expectant mother regular tests to monitor the patient's condition. Too low hemoglobin during pregnancy is a reason for undergoing the following types of laboratory tests:

  1. Serum iron is tested to confirm iron deficiency anemia. The iron-binding capacity of the blood is revealed.
  2. If B-12 deficiency anemia is suspected, the patient is checked for a lack of vitamin and folic acid in the body.
  3. To confirm hemolytic anemias, studies are carried out to determine the osmotic resistance of erythrocytes and the content of free, bound bilirubin in the blood and urine of a woman.
  4. Additional studies are carried out to identify the presence of chronic or acquired pathologies, the result of which may be low hemoglobin in pregnant women.

Signs

If the concentration of hemoglobin decreases in the body of a pregnant woman, a violation can be suspected by certain signs. The patient's skin and mucous membranes change color to yellowish or paler. In addition, with a reduced hemoglobin, the following are observed symptoms of anemia:

  • shortness of breath;
  • dizziness;
  • noise in ears;
  • drowsiness;
  • increased fatigue;
  • fainting;
  • poor appetite;
  • taste pathologies;
  • desire to consume foods such as ash, sand, chalk, sulfur;
  • violation of the smell of a pregnant woman, in which the smells of naphthalene, exhaust gases, paint, acetone become pleasant;
  • inattention;
  • an unreasonable increase in body temperature;
  • memory problems.

Why does hemoglobin drop in pregnant women?

A drop in the level of red blood cells during pregnancy is very common. As a rule, they start talking about anemia before 20 weeks or at later dates. Iron deficiency disorder is caused by eating habits and ways of assimilating food in the body of the expectant mother:

  • malnutrition;
  • lack of iron in the diet of a pregnant woman;
  • lack of animal protein from food;
  • high calcium content in the diet, due to which iron is poorly absorbed by the body;
  • hidden bleeding;
  • pathology of the gastrointestinal tract.

Low hemoglobin during pregnancy can also result from the following specific reasons:

  • severe toxicosis;
  • multiple pregnancy;
  • exacerbation of chronic diseases during gestation;
  • short term between pregnancies;
  • hormonal disruptions, in which the volumes of estrogen increase;
  • constant stress and nervous strain.

Degree of anemia

Currently emit 3 degrees of low hemoglobin during pregnancy:

  1. Mild anemia. With this diagnosis, the level of red blood cells can fall to 90-110 g / l. The violation often has no clinical manifestations.
  2. Anemia medium severity. There is a drop in hemoglobin to 70-90 g / l. With such a low level of red blood cells in the blood, the first signs of pathology appear, which women often do not pay attention to.
  3. Severe anemia. With such a violation, the decrease in hemoglobin reaches values ​​less than 70 g / l. Pathology is accompanied by almost all clinical manifestations, the risk of termination of pregnancy increases. The condition threatens the expectant mother with serious complications.

Why low hemoglobin is dangerous

Many women are frivolous about the level of hemoglobin in the blood. However, this diagnosis negatively affects the health of the baby and the expectant mother. The consequences of anemia include the following situations:

  1. Gestosis is a complication in the third trimester of pregnancy. Low iron stores lead to disruption of the liver, water metabolism, and protein synthesis. A severe form of preeclampsia leads to a deficiency of oxygen in the brain, preeclampsia, headaches, eclampsia, and therefore the pregnancy is terminated, regardless of the term, for medical reasons.
  2. Delayed intrauterine development of the baby due to fetal hypoxia.
  3. Increased risk premature birth... A low level of red blood cells provokes placental abruption, which leads to fetal death in the absence of timely assistance.
  4. Severe anemia causes stillbirth in 12% of cases.
  5. Complications during childbirth (bleeding, weak labor).
  6. Increased risk of infectious complications in the postpartum period.
  7. Absence breast milk or its disadvantage.

Consequences for the child

It is important to raise hemoglobin during pregnancy to avoid negative consequences for the health of the baby. Children in women with this pathology are born mainly with low weight and weak immunity. As a rule, a deficiency of erythrocytes in a mother causes an inhibition of the growth of blood cells in a child and a violation of the process of hematopoiesis. Severe anemia of pregnant women leads to serious delays in the development of the baby, he may be born with diseases of the central nervous system.

How to increase hemoglobin

Immediately after the appearance of signs of a violation, therapy should be started in the early stages. Correct treatment should combine a balanced diet with medications. To normalize hemoglobin, it is important to eliminate the cause of anemia. Treatment with iron alone is ineffective. The accumulation of this component in the body can sometimes seriously harm. Often, to eliminate the pathology, treatment of intestinal diseases is required, which interfere with the absorption of the gland.

For achievement normal performance hemoglobin, you need to follow the following recommendations of specialists:

  1. At the initial stage, it is better to increase the level of red blood cells in natural ways through proper nutrition with iron-containing foods.
  2. If the patient's hemoglobin level is below 90 mg / l, doctors prescribe drugs and vitamin complexes: Ferrum Lek, Sorbifer, Totem, Tardiferon.
  3. With a decrease in the level of iron in the blood below 70 mg / l, injections of special preparations can be prescribed, which help to quickly increase its indicators.

Products

It will not be possible to achieve a high hemoglobin value with the help of only the use of tablets. As a rule, the synthesis of special proteins in the blood is achieved proper nutrition. It is recommended to focus on the following products:

  • greens;
  • liver;
  • lean meat;
  • cereals;
  • legumes;
  • walnuts;
  • dried fruits;
  • vegetables - beets, pumpkin, tomatoes, cabbage;
  • fruits - apples, peaches, pomegranates, bananas;
  • currants;
  • cranberries.

Iron preparations

Hemoglobin during pregnancy can fall for various reasons. Treatment is prescribed depending on specific case. Totem- one of the popular solutions in the form of a solution. A drug helps to increase the rate of hemoglobin in the blood, contains elemental iron, manganese, copper. Take a solution for anemia and for prophylaxis from 1 to 4 ampoules daily. The advantage of the product is its convenient form and composition. Among the shortcomings, it is worth highlighting side effects in the form of nausea, vomiting and bowel dysfunction.

Sorbifer durules is a combined drug for anemia in the form of tablets. The composition contains iron sulfate and vitamin C, due to which the agent is better absorbed. The advantage of the drug is high bioavailability and gradual release in the intestinal lumen, due to which the tablets do not injure the mucous membrane. The disadvantages of this remedy are side effects such as nausea, constipation, diarrhea.

Folk remedies

When thinking about how to raise hemoglobin during pregnancy, it is worth considering and homemade recipes that have been proven effective for generations. However, before applying folk remedies you need to consult a doctor. Popular recipes are presented below:

  1. Combine chopped walnuts with buckwheat, pour honey. Take 1 spoonful every day.
  2. Mix equal shares of raisins, dried apricots, nuts, add honey. Consume no more than 3 spoons daily.
  3. Grind prunes, dried apricots, dates, raisins, lemon zest with a blender. Pour over with liquid honey, use 3 tablespoons every day.

Prophylaxis

Even before getting pregnant, women should take care of their health, make up for the deficiency of vitamins and iron in the body. For this, it is important to take special vitamin and mineral complexes, iodine, folic acid. At the stage of planning pregnancy, you need to follow a special diet. At all times, the expectant mother should avoid stress, often walk in the fresh air.

Video

As practice shows, in recent years, more and more often come to the doctor for consultation, whose level of hemoglobin in the blood is not high enough. In fact, such a trace element as iron is extremely important for expectant mothers, it is simply necessary for normal life. You can get it by consuming different foods, as a rule, the most of this trace element in proteins.

Most often, a woman finds out that she has low hemoglobin during pregnancy. It is during this period that the expectant mother undergoes a number of necessary and extremely important procedures. Along with other examinations, she has to take a clinical blood test. Iron deficiency, which with a normal diet should be within the normal range, decreases during pregnancy, which is a natural factor, since at the time of carrying a baby, the need for iron increases several times.

The norm of hemoglobin in pregnant women is no different from the level of this indicator for healthy person... In the blood of the expectant mother, hemoglobin should be present in the range of 120 - 140 g / l. Most pregnant women face such an unpleasant phenomenon as iron deficiency anemia, which is why the doctor prescribes medications containing a large number of gland. More often, residents of megalopolises face a similar problem; blood counts are often influenced not only by poor ecology, but also by malnutrition, which does not have a sufficient amount of essential vitamins and microelements. In the event that low hemoglobin during pregnancy manifests itself on early date(up to the 16th week), it is important to undergo a thorough examination to exclude anemia and a lack of oxygen for the baby.

Medication to help quickly raise hemoglobin levels

There are medicines as soon as possible. If it is necessary to increase the indicated indicator with lightning speed and there is no time for long-term consumption of tablets, they are used medicines which are administered intravenously or intramuscularly. The medicines introduced into the body of the expectant mother in this way give an excellent result, the iron level rises quickly, however, this is one of the extreme methods that is advisable to use only with a high rate of anemia. Of course, the most common and universal method is considered when pills that increase hemoglobin are used. To date, ionic and non-ionic drugs have been invented. Most often, the choice of a doctor stops at such means as:


Some girls who are concerned about how to increase hemoglobin during pregnancy believe that the more iron-containing drugs and foods enter the body, the better. However, this is not quite true. As practice shows, the percentage of absorbed iron is individual for everyone, so that even with a large intake of substances with iron per day, the body can only absorb 2 - 2.5 mg. The rest of the beneficial component will simply leave the body. For this, doctors prescribe medications that increase hemoglobin, thanks to the correct combination of drugs, the amount of absorbed iron can be increased tenfold.

There are drugs that can increase the reduced micronutrient, and there are drugs that simply help keep it at a certain level. If we talk about "Fenuls", then it is he who helps maintain normal hemoglobin, despite the fact that the pregnant woman has an excess of iron consumption. This medication can be used both in tablets and in drops or capsules.

The required norm of hemoglobin in pregnant women is maintained by Fenuls due to its composition, which includes such components as ferrous sulfate, ascorbic acid and useful additional vitamins. It is necessary to use this drug only after eating, which will not irritate the gastric mucosa and not influence toxicosis as a stimulant.

From undesirable manifestations of "Fenuls" it is worth noting weakness, constipation, vomiting. In addition, an overdose of the medication can lead to exacerbation of stomach ulcers or hemosiderosis.


During pregnancy, "Sorbifer Durules" will help to increase. This drug can be used not only to prevent anemia, but also to treat it. True, anemia must be iron deficient. The basis of the medication is ferrous sulfate and ascorbic acid. It is necessary to consume "Sorbifer Durules" not only for pregnant women, but also for nursing mothers whose hemoglobin is below normal. Among other negative manifestations, pregnant women often complain of nausea, diarrhea.

Often, to increase hemoglobin use "Maltofer" or "Maltofer Fall". In fact, the two products are based on the same component (iron polymaltose). The only difference is that the second product is supplemented with folic acid. "Maltofer Fall" is more useful, it is prescribed to pregnant and lactating women. In pharmacies, this drug is sold exclusively in chewable tablets. As practice shows, this drug helps to normalize the level of hemoglobin during pregnancy, without causing any complications in the form of nausea, diarrhea or constipation.

Of course, all of these drugs help to normalize low hemoglobin during pregnancy, however, when choosing a specific medication, one should be guided by one rule - along with these drugs, you cannot simultaneously use vitamins, which also include iron. In order not to aggravate the situation, it is necessary to choose only one remedy.

Effective ways to increase hemoglobin at home

In women, during pregnancy, the level of hemoglobin in the blood often drops, which is why many are immediately prescribed iron-containing drugs. However, clinical trials have never been carried out on pregnant women, since it is impossible to risk neither future mothers, nor their offspring. With a slight decrease in hemoglobin, it is possible to reduce the indicator with foods, herbs and other means that every home has.

As practice shows, with the regular addition of healthy juices, fruit drinks and infusions to food, it is possible to normalize blood counts without medication. If a woman thinks about which foods increase hemoglobin during pregnancy, she should first of all pay attention to the blackberry leaves. They must be brewed and consumed instead of the usual tea about 4 times a day. Dried rose hips, which are used in the same way as blackberries, are no less useful and nutritious.


If the third trimester of pregnancy has come, you can use a mixture of dried fruits. Dried apricots, dates, raisins are especially useful for pregnant women. If you are not allergic, you can add lemon, honey and walnuts to your dishes. Dried fruits can be chopped with a blender and eaten in a tablespoon shortly before the main meal.

Women who want to understand how to raise hemoglobin during pregnancy without medication should start consuming cranberry fruit drinks. You can add apple and beet juice to it, which will increase the amount of nutrients. As for honey, it is extremely useful to eat it in the morning on an empty stomach.

Increasing hemoglobin through foods

The norm of hemoglobin during pregnancy can be kept within the required limits by eating foods rich in iron and other trace elements. If you think about which product contains iron in the largest amount, you should pay attention to pistachios (100 grams of nuts contain 60 mg of iron). Slightly less nutritious are dried mushrooms, halva, pork. In the diet of the expectant mother, products such as quail eggs and black caviar should periodically appear. Do not avoid consuming beef, seafood, legumes and cereals. In addition to meat, the diet should contain vegetables, the richest in iron are green onions and asparagus, a large amount of iron is found in radish, pumpkin, broccoli and garlic.


A pregnant woman should have room for fresh berries and fruits in her diet. It is extremely useful to use fresh juices, they will help not only to saturate the body with important trace elements, but also will not allow you to gain excess weight. A pregnant woman should give preference to seasonal berries, there is a little less benefit in frozen products. From iron-containing foods, you should choose pomegranate, plums, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and black currants are also useful.

If a woman tries to increase the level of hemoglobin during pregnancy, she needs not only to choose foods with a high iron content, but also to try to exclude what does not allow microelements to be absorbed in full. During pregnancy, you should limit the consumption of coffee, hard cheese, milk.

Conclusion

Of course, in case of anemia, the consumption of only iron-containing products will not be enough; the correctly selected medicine will help to increase the level of the necessary trace element. However, do not forget that the iron accumulated in the body should be kept, walks in the fresh air, as well as proper breathing, can help in this. With an integrated approach, the hemoglobin level will increase after just two weeks.

During the period of carrying a child, a woman regularly takes a blood test. One of its indicators is the level. Its decline is a sign of alarm. What is hemoglobin in general, and how can it be increased? Let's find out in detail.

Briefly about hemoglobin

It is a complex protein containing iron. Hemoglobin is responsible for the supply of oxygen to tissues and organs, takes part in the transfer of carbon dioxide to the respiratory system.

The normal indicator of this substance is 120 g / l. During the period of gestation, hemoglobin often decreases. And, as practice shows, this happens in most cases by the second trimester. Among the causes of pathology may be stress, low blood pressure, diseases of internal organs. A low hemoglobin level is iron deficiency anemia. Its symptoms are decreased appetite, drowsiness, tiredness, tachycardia, shortness of breath. With low hemoglobin, the expectant mother is recommended to spend more time outdoors, and iron-containing preparations are prescribed.

Foods and hemoglobin

During pregnancy, it is not necessary to wait until the doctor prescribes pharmaceutical drugs to increase hemoglobin. Iron-rich foods can be added to the diet to improve the situation. So, here they are:

  1. Beet. It is necessary to regularly drink 30 grams of fresh vegetable juice or 100-150 grams of boiled one. Salads can be made with beets, saturating the body with fiber and preventing the set excess weight.
  2. Watermelon and... They must be seasonal. It is important for pregnant women to eat foods without nitrates.
  3. Apples. It is recommended to eat them daily 0.5 kilograms, dividing into portions throughout the day.
  4. Rowan... The berry cures anemia due to its high content of vitamin C, which helps the absorption of iron. There is especially a lot of it in the black-fruited berry.
  5. Rose hip... And it is saturated with ascorbic acid, helps the body absorb iron. Pregnant women are advised to drink the infusion of the fruit. It should be consumed at 0.5 liters per day.
  6. Carrot. It is rich in iron, but inferior to beets. And so that vitamin A from the vegetable is assimilated by the body of the expectant mother, it is recommended to use it with sour cream. You can also drink ½ glass of carrot juice a day. This option is more suitable for those pregnant who have already gained excess weight.
  7. Nettle. The medicinal plant is also rich in iron. If you take into account that this is a weed, then with its help hemoglobin in the blood can be increased absolutely free. A tablespoon of nettle must be doused with 300 grams of boiling water and infused for 20-30 minutes. You need to drink such a remedy in a glass a day.
  8. Walnuts. If a woman is not in danger of gaining excess weight, then it is necessary to eat 100 grams of them daily.
  9. Pomegranates. This is one of best options replenishment of iron deficiency in the blood. Alternatively - pomegranate juice.
  10. Buckwheat... She is the leader among all cereals in iron content. It is followed by millet.
  11. Chocolate. This product for increasing hemoglobin can be used only by those pregnant women who are not overweight, are not prone to high blood sugar levels.
  12. Berries... Anemia can be fought with red berries. These are strawberries, cranberries, viburnum, blueberries.
  13. Dried fruits. They can be used in winter when fresh berries are not available. It should be borne in mind that such sources of hemoglobin are too high in calories. Therefore, it is better to use them in the morning and no more than 150 grams. Dried apricots, raisins, figs, prunes will do.
  14. Hematogen. This is a special pharmaceutical product that can simultaneously serve as a dessert and perfectly increase the hemoglobin level in the body of a pregnant woman.
  15. Liver, beef, red caviar- the best sources of iron of animal origin. For pregnant women, they are also sources of protein necessary for the growth and development of the fetus.

In order for iron from all of the above products to be well absorbed by the body, it is necessary to consume 75 mg of vitamin C daily. It is also recommended to replace black tea with green tea, walk more in the fresh air, and compose the menu, including the above products.