How To Increase Your Hemoglobin Level During Pregnancy

Hemoglobin is a protein found naturally in the red blood cells. These cells are responsible for carrying oxygen around the body. In addition to this the hemoglobin carries out the reverse action being carrying out carbon-di-oxide from the cells to the lungs, where it is disposed off during respiration. Thus, making it all the more important to maintain proper levels of hemoglobin. In this blog we will help you understand How To Increase Your Hemoglobin Level During Pregnancy!

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How To Increase Hemoglobin In A Week? - What to Eat When Hemoglobin is Low

If your hemoglobin levels are below the prescribed limits, then you could bring in a few diet changes, lifestyle changes, try home remedies, and if need be take medications too for the same. Here are a few simple and natural ways to increase your hemoglobin levels by following this Blood Increasing Food List:

Including Iron-rich foods for anemia during Pregnancy namely-

• Meat and fish
• Soy products
• Eggs
• Dried fruits such as dates and figs
• Broccoli
• Green leafy vegetables, such as kale and spinach
• Peanut butter
• Tomatoes and bell peppers
• Carrots, banana and pomegranate

Including Folate rich foods could also help in increasing Hemoglobin levels. They are as listed below:

• Beef
• Spinach
• Rice
• Peanuts
• Black-eyed peas
• Kidney beans
• Avocado
• Lettuce

Including Vitamin A rich foods which include:

• Fish
• Liver
• Squash
• Sweet potatoes
• Kale and collard

Including beta-carotene rich foods which include:

• Carrots
• Sweet potatoes
• Cantaloupes
• Squash
• Mangoes

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Foods That Aid In Iron Absorption - Iron Rich Food For Anemia During Pregnancy

In case you stick on to vegetarian foods for your iron requirements, then it is best advisable to  take Vitamin C rich foods or Vitamin C supplement as they aid in iron absorption. The foods you could include are citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, melon, tomatoes, green leafy vegetables and bell peppers. So it would be in your best interest to have Vitamin C foods and Iron-rich foods at the same time; to facilitate speedy iron absorption.

It is important for us to know how to detect symptoms of Anemia or in other words, low hemoglobin levels? Symptoms of Anemia include the following:

• Easy fatigue and loss of energy
• Increased heart rate especially during workouts.
• Shortness of breath and headache
• Dizziness
• Pale skin
• Insomnia
• Leg cramps
• Light-headedness
• Chest pain
• Muscle weakness

Tablets To Increase Hemoglobin In Blood - How To Increase Blood Level During Pregnancy

In case the hemoglobin levels are not showing any signs of improvement, then your last resort would be intake of oral iron supplements. But care should be taken that the dosage should be strictly followed in consultation with your doctor as an overdose of these medications results in an illness called hemochromatosis.

How To Decrease Hemoglobin

• Hemoglobin levels shoot up when you are dehydrated. That is because of the reduction in the blood volume. Acute dehydration could also lead to raise in the concentration of the hemoglobin by 10 to 15%. During intense cardio workouts, especially, it becomes important to remain hydrated in order to maintain normal hemoglobin levels.
• Smoking increases the chances of increased levels of hemoglobin. Therefore it is best to quit smoking.

Syrups To Increase Hemoglobin Levels - How To Increase Hemoglobin Level During Pregnancy

Under the supervision of your general practitioner, you could use these syrups to boost up your hemoglobin levels:

1. Logen syrup
2. Dexorange syrup
3. Sbl Ferrumsi[ syrup
4. Adven Hemotone Tonic
5. Hepatoglobine syrup
6. Proayurveda Hemac Hemoglobin syrup

These are a few common syrups available in the Indian market.

What Are Normal Hemoglobin Values? - Hemoglobin Level Chart

The normal ranges are:

Newborns: 17 to 22 gm/dl

One week of age: 15 to 20 gm/dl

One month of age: 11 to 15 gm/dl

Children: 11 to 13 gm/dl

Adult males: 14 to 18 gm/dl

Adult females: 12 to 16 gm/dl

What Levels Of Hemoglobin Are Dangerously Low?

In the United States, anemia is diagnosed if a blood test finds less than 13.5 g/dL in a man or less than 12 g/dL in a woman. In children, normal levels vary according to age.  A low level of hemoglobin in the blood directly relates to a low level of oxygen.

How Much Hemoglobin Is Normal During Pregnancy?

A hemoglobin level of Pregnancy can naturally lower to 10.5gm/dl representing a normal anemia of Pregnancy. Any further drop beyond this would need special attention. The normal levels of hemoglobin in non-pregnant women is 12-16 mg/dl; and in pregnant women @ 28 weeks ranges from 10-14 mg/dl. Though a normal condition, it is necessary to take special care about the health condition, as prolonged anemia could result in low birth weight, premature birth and maternal mortality.

• 1^st trimester of Pregnancy – 11.6-13.9 g/dl
• 2^nd trimester of Pregnancy – 9.7-14.8 g/dl
• 3^rd trimester of Pregnancy – 9.5 – 15 g/dl

Why Do Hemoglobin Levels Drop During Pregnancy?

In an expecting mother, the blood volume increases by more than 50% to supply nutrition to the fetus inside her womb. By the 8^th week of Pregnancy, the blood volume increases by 50%; thereby there is a direct increase only in the blood plasma and not the red blood cells. Therefore, a deficiency in the concentration of the red blood cells leads to a drop in the hemoglobin levels.

How To Increase Hemoglobin Level During Pregnancy?

It is a known fact that iron levels normally go down in the case of a pregnant woman; therefore making it all the more important to take precautions right from the very beginning stage of Pregnancy.

All the foods mentioned above are recommended for the pregnant women. Apart from inclusions in the diet there is also a need to complete the requirement with the help of iron supplements. Here is a list of Foods that increase your hemoglobin levels during Pregnancy:

• Green leafy vegetables, dried nuts, barley, maize and millet are a very good source of iron.
• Foods rich in Vitamin C like oranges, kiwi, lime, raspberries. As also bell peppers, broccoli and tomatoes are a rich source of Vitamin C.
• Foods rich in folic acid and vitamin B complex boosts the level of hemoglobin and they include avocado, lady finger, lettuce, turnip and sprouts.
• Avoid gluten, caffeine and alcohol.

Super Foods Which Help To Increase Hemoglobin Levels In Pregnant Women - Vegetarian

Iron is found in two forms in food – heme and non-heme. Heme variety of iron can be obtained only from animal products; whereas non-heme iron can be obtained only be plants. Here is a list of plant foods that are super rich in iron nutrient:

• Soybeans
• Lentils including chick peas, baked beans, kidney beans, butter beans.
• Nuts and seeds
• Green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale
• Tomato paste, preferably dried or concentrated as raw tomatoes contain very little iron.
• Potatoes are a great source of iron and fiber, and the iron content is concentrated on the skin part of the potato.
• Mushrooms are a great source of iron.
• Prunes, mulberries and olives
• Super grains like oats and Quinoa
• Coconut milk is high in iron content, vitamins and minerals; although it is rich in fat content too
• Dark chocolate is any day better than milk chocolate; as it is rich in anti oxidants. Surprisingly it is also rich in iron content.

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