Low red blood cell count during pregnancy, often from iron deficiency — common, and manageable when caught early.
Anaemia in pregnancy means the body doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells to meet the increased demands of a growing baby, most often due to iron deficiency. It's extremely common in pregnancy and, when caught early through routine antenatal screening, is straightforward to correct.
Pregnancy naturally increases the body's need for iron and folic acid to support the growing baby and increased blood volume, and diet alone often isn't enough to keep up with that demand. Malaria and intestinal worms can also contribute to or worsen anaemia during pregnancy.
Treatment centres on iron and folic acid supplementation, alongside dietary advice to increase iron-rich foods. Because anaemia in pregnancy can affect both mother and baby if left uncorrected, it's checked at every antenatal visit rather than only when symptoms appear.
Routine care: Anaemia is screened for at every antenatal visit in our Maternity department.
