Side effects of anaemia during pregnancy

Anaemia means your blood has reduced capacity to carry oxygen. In pregnancy, this may leave you unusually tired, dizzy, weak, or short of breath with ordinary activity. You may notice headaches, a fast heartbeat, pale skin, or difficulty concentrating. Iron deficiency is one possible cause, but blood loss, low folate or vitamin B12, and other conditions can also contribute. A blood test helps your clinician identify the pattern and choose treatment.

Attend recommended antenatal blood tests and take prescribed iron or other supplements exactly as directed. Iron can cause nausea, constipation, stomach discomfort, or darker stools; tell your clinician if these make treatment difficult rather than stopping it yourself. Keep meals varied and mention any bleeding, dietary restrictions, vomiting, or bowel symptoms. Your clinician may adjust the preparation, timing, or route of treatment after reviewing your results.

Seek urgent help for chest pain, fainting, severe breathlessness at rest, a racing or irregular heartbeat with weakness, or confusion. Contact your maternity unit promptly for vaginal bleeding, black or bloody stools, severe abdominal pain, or worsening dizziness. These warning signs can have causes other than anaemia and should not be self-diagnosed.

Ask which type of anaemia your blood tests suggest, how long treatment should continue, and when results will be rechecked. Ask what to do if iron causes constipation or nausea, and whether bleeding or another condition needs investigation.