If you are anemic, what complications could you have while delivering a baby and, is the baby in danger?

Answer 1

If you are anemic you need to maximize your iron absorption and possibly take supplements.

Your baby really starts to draw on your iron reserves around week 20. Your baby may also suffer from anemia if your condition is not treated. Labor and delivery will also be more difficult if the mother is suffering from untreated anemia and blood loss after delivery will further aggravate.

As long as you keep your iron levels up there should be no need to worry. Iron-deficiency anemia is easily treated.

Answer 2

Unfortunately, when making the choice between a doctor and a midwife, you are dealing, generally, with two extremes. Most midwives feel no intervention should be used whatsoever when it comes to delivering a baby, meanwhile, a lot of doctors will use every tool available to "perfect" the baby's delivery since they are so at risk of lawsuits these days. Large babies are delivered vaginally every day. The biggest risk of delivering a large baby is the increased chance at tearing or needing an episiotomy. It will also be a little more difficult to push the baby out. A lot depends on whether or not the baby will fit through the birth canal, and you won't know until the baby begins to descend if he/she will fit. Quite honestly, even a 6 lb. baby can get stuck. I'm not trying to scare you, but there is always a risk that something unplanned/unseen will happen during labor and delivery, just try to be mentally prepared for anything. No matter how many classes you attend, how many books you read, or how many techniques your wife has practiced, labor will not be whats expected. Good Luck to you both.

Answer 3

I was anemic when I delivered my little one even though I had been on iron pills. The only complication for me was that I lost some blood and got really light headed and almost passed out. Therefore, I was not allowed out of bed for a couple of days had a catheter put in and was put on a high iron diet in the hospital. So I got the same meals each day. There was no danger to my knowledge for the baby.

Answer 4

Your baby does a good job taking care of his iron needs — he'll get his share before you do. If you remain anemic during the first two trimesters, though, you're at a higher risk for having a preterm delivery or a low-birthweight baby, so it is something to take seriously. And if you're severely deficient, it could affect your baby's iron stores at birth, increasing his risk for anemia later in infancy.

Iron-deficiency anemia affects your health as well. It can sap your energy and make it harder for your body to fight infection. And if you're anemic later in pregnancy, you're more likely to have problems if you lose a lot of blood when you give birth. You may feel dizzy, have a rapid heart rate, or have other symptoms that require you to stay in the hospital an extra day or two. You're also more likely to need a blood transfusion.

Answer 5

I was anemic due to pregnancy when I had my daughter and I don't remember any complications that were because of that. I did get my blood tested a lot and even after I had her I had to get my blood tested at least once a month.

Your doctor should tell you of any complications that could arise and if he/she doesn't just ask. I'm sure the doctor would be happy to put your mind at ease.

Answer 6

If you are anemic, then you will have a low hemoglobin, and during delivery you will be more at risk for having to have a transfusion should your blood loss be more than normal - but this is more of a post-delivery problem than an actual delivery problem, so baby would not likely be affected.

Answer 7

I asked my dr and she me told that if you are anemic it increases your chance of needing a blood transfusion after giving birth you lose about a liter of blood normally if you are anemic you can lose much more, and that most of the time the baby is not born anemic themself but it can happen.

Answer 8

i am severly anemic when pregnant, and in fact anemic even when not pregnant. anyway this never caused any problems during delivery. they did however keep the "piggy tail" part of the IV in my arm just in case i needed extra iron.

i had to take suppliments during all three pregnancies and i expect to have to take it through this one too!

Answer 9

You will have a low white blood cell count and may bleed more easliy but other than that I don't think anything different from non-anemic woman's labor.