How to Increase Haemoglobin (HB) during Pregnancy?

Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the rest of the body. A woman’s hemoglobin levels should be optimum during pregnancy to ensure a proper oxygen supply. The blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity is directly proportional to the circulating hemoglobin levels.

If you are pregnant, your heart must work harder to provide adequate nutrition for the developing foetus. During pregnancy, the blood volume in your body will increase by 30% – 50%. We are sure you must eat healthy foods to meet your excess blood requirements and ensure your hemoglobin levels remain stable during pregnancy. However, they may steep in the later stages of pregnancy and can result in anaemia. Read on to know how you can increase your hemoglobin levels in pregnancy.

Best Ways to Improve Hemoglobin Levels in Pregnancy

How to increase hemoglobin in pregnancy is an essential consideration for maternal and fetal well-being. If your hemoglobin levels are low during pregnancy, your doctor may prescribe certain medicines and injections to increase them. But if your hemoglobin is not too low, you can boost it by making a few dietary changes and exercising daily. Increasing hemoglobin levels during pregnancy is essential for ensuring optimal oxygen supply to the mother and the developing fetus. Here’s what you can do to improve your hemoglobin levels during pregnancy.

Eat Healthy Foods

For those wondering what to eat to increase hemoglobin during pregnancy, the answer lies in a diet rich in Vitamin B, Vitamin C, iron, and folic acid. Here are some specific foods to include in your diet:

1. Leafy Vegetables

Green vegetables, especially leafy greens rich in iron content, are a must-included part of a pregnancy diet. You can benefit from eating iron-rich foods if your hemoglobin levels are low. Iron helps produce hemoglobin, which helps form red blood cells. Some iron-rich foods and herbs you can eat while pregnant include spinach, kale, broccoli, coriander, mint and fenugreek (1). Green leafy vegetables are also rich in vitamins and nutrients essential for pregnancy. So make them a part of your daily diet.

2. Dry Fruits and Nuts

Dates and figs are high in iron and can help increase hemoglobin levels. Other dry fruits and nuts you can eat daily include walnuts, raisins, and almonds, which can also help during pregnancy.

3. Pulses

Pulses are packed with iron and protein. You can eat pulses by adding them to salad or soups. You can even add them to bread for better results. Peas, lentils, and beans are rich in vitamins, minerals, fibre, iron, and protein. Hence, they should make a balanced diet for pregnant women.

4. Asparagus

Asparagus is rich in iron (11). If you want something light and easy to digest, you can have a hot cup of asparagus soup. You can also add sesame seeds to the soup for more iron.

5. Fresh Fruits

Eating fresh fruits like pomegranates and oranges can also increase hemoglobin levels during pregnancy. Pomegranates are very rich in iron, and oranges are rich in Vitamin C, which helps boost the body’s immune system and, in turn, hemoglobin levels. Other fruits like kiwis, peaches, grapefruit, and guavas are also excellent sources of iron and can increase hemoglobin levels in pregnancy. But it would help if you spoke to your nutritionist or doctor before eating these fruits during pregnancy.

6. Vegetables Rich in Folic Acid

Folate, or folic acid, is a type of Vitamin B and a water-soluble vitamin that helps prevent neural tube defects during pregnancy. This vitamin plays an essential part in the production of hemoglobin. You can eat corn, bananas, turnips, sprouts, avocado, lettuce, okra, etc., as they are rich in folic acid to meet your folic acid requirements.

7. Smoothie

Drink smoothie made of apples, beetroot, and carrots (4). Drinking this smoothie can increase your hemoglobin levels during pregnancy.

8. Seeds

You can also eat some seeds rich in iron, like pumpkin seeds, almond seeds, and sunflower seeds. Eating these can help improve your hemoglobin levels during pregnancy.

Take Dietary Supplements

Taking dietary supplements can also help improve hemoglobin levels during pregnancy.

1. Folic acid and Vitamin B12 deficiency might result in low hemoglobin levels (8). If you have a folic acid or Vitamin B12 deficiency, you can take supplements after consulting your doctor.
2. If your body lacks iron, you should take iron supplements (7).
3. Consuming foods rich in iron is important, but you should also consume foods that help absorb iron. If you don’t eat foods rich in Vitamin C that help absorb iron, you must take Vitamin C supplements. Vitamin C supplements can improve your body’s capacity to absorb iron. Consult your doctor if you need Vitamin C supplements.

Stimulate the Red Blood Cells

Here’s what your doctor might suggest for stimulating red blood cells.

1. If you have chronic diseases, it might result in low hemoglobin levels. It might be suggested that iron pills and vitamins increase your hemoglobin levels.
2. When nothing works, your doctor may give you haemoglobin injections during pregnancy. Synthetic erythropoietin injection can help in the production of red blood cells (6).

Exercise

One of the simplest ways to increase your hemoglobin levels naturally during pregnancy is to exercise. When you exercise, your body produces more hemoglobin to meet the increasing demand for oxygen. After consulting with your doctor, you can start with moderate-intensity workouts. Avoid high-intensity workouts during pregnancy, as these can be injurious. You can also try pranayama like shitali pranayama, nadi shodhan pranayama, or kapal bhati to improve your hemoglobin count (5).

Consider Steroid Treatments

Steroid treatment should be your last resort. Steroid treatment is prescribed to a woman when her immune system forces her to have a low level of hemoglobin. In this case, healthy RBCs are destroyed by the immunity cells. To combat this, a woman will be prescribed an immune system suppressant. This medical condition is known as hemolytic anaemia (12). However, steroid treatments are considered in sporadic cases, such as the case of a compromised immune system and under a doctor’s supervision. You must check with your doctor before opting for this treatment.

These are some ways to improve hemoglobin levels during pregnancy. However, there is one thing that you should avoid to prevent your hemoglobin levels from dropping.

Avoid Iron Blockers

If your hemoglobin count is low, avoid foods and beverages blocking your body’s ability to absorb iron. For example, stop drinking tea, coffee, soft drinks, beer, and wine (10).

What Should Be the Normal Range of Hemoglobin During Pregnancy?

The hemoglobin count is measured in grams per decilitre (g/dl). In the first trimester of pregnancy, a woman’s hemoglobin levels should be between 11.6 g/dL and 13.9 g/dL. In the second trimester, they should be between 9.7 g/dL and 14.8 g/dL. A hemoglobin count between 9.5 g/dL and 15 g/dL is considered ideal in the last trimester (3).

When to Contact a Doctor?

While experiencing fluctuations in hemoglobin levels is common during pregnancy, certain signs and symptoms may warrant medical attention to ensure maternal and fetal well-being. Here are some indicators to keep in mind:

• Persistent fatigue or weakness
• Shortness of breath, especially at rest
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Pale skin or nail beds (9)
• Frequent headaches or difficulty concentrating (2)

FAQs

1. What causes fluctuations in hemoglobin levels during pregnancy?

Hormonal changes and increased blood volume are common causes of hemoglobin fluctuations during pregnancy.

2. Is it normal to experience fatigue during pregnancy due to hemoglobin changes?

Fatigue is a common symptom of fluctuating hemoglobin levels during pregnancy as the body adapts to increased demands.

3. Can diet alone help maintain adequate hemoglobin levels during pregnancy?

While a balanced diet rich in iron and other nutrients are essential, some women may require supplements to maintain optimal hemoglobin levels during pregnancy.

4. Should I be concerned if my hemoglobin levels drop significantly during pregnancy?

Significant drops in hemoglobin levels may indicate anaemia, which can adversely affect maternal and fetal health. If you notice a significant decrease, consult a doctor.

Low hemoglobin levels can cause weakness and anaemia. Hence, increasing hemoglobin for pregnant ladies is essential for the health of the mother and the baby. Boosting hemoglobin during pregnancy requires careful attention to dietary choices and supplements. After consulting with your doctor, try these ways to improve your hemoglobin levels.

References/Resources:

1. Anemia and Pregnancy; UCSF Health; https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/anemia-and-pregnancy

2. Anemia and Pregnancy; American Society of Hematology; https://www.hematology.org/education/patients/anemia/pregnancy

3. Sunuwar. D. R, Sangroula. R. K, Shakya. N. S, Yadav. R, et al.; Effect of nutrition education on hemoglobin level in pregnant women: A quasi-experimental study; PLoS One; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6428266/; March 2019

4. Widowati. R; Utilization of various honey, fruits, and vegetables to increase hemoglobin levels in pregnant women with anemia in Indonesia; IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science; https://www.researchgate.net/publication/375818360_Utilization_of_various_honey_fruits_and_vegetables_to_increase_hemoglobin_levels_in_pregnant_women_with_anemia_in_Indonesia; October 2023

5. Ruwayda. R, Nurmisih. N; Pregnancy exercise with breathing exercise on changes in hemoglobin levels in anemic pregnant women; Jurnal Kesehatan Ibu dan Anak; https://e-journal.poltekkesjogja.ac.id/index.php/kia/article/view/907

6. Schoener. B, Borger. J; Erythropoietin Stimulating Agents; StatPearls; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK536997/

7. Osungbade. K. O, Oladunjoye. A. O; Preventive treatments of iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy: a review of their effectiveness and implications for health system strengthening; Journal of Pregnancy; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3400371/

8. Achebe. M. M, Gafter-Gvili. A; How I treat anemia in pregnancy: iron, cobalamin, and folate; American Society of Hematology; https://ashpublications.org/blood/article/129/8/940/36329/How-I-treat-anemia-in-pregnancy-iron-cobalamin-and; February 2017

9. Anemia in Pregnancy; Cedars-Sinai; https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/a/anemia-in-pregnancy.html

10. Anaemia; WHO; https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/anaemia; May 2023

11. Avoid Anemia: Tips to Get More Iron in Pregnancy; The University of New Mexico; https://unmhealth.org/stories/2023/04/avoid-anemia-tips-get-more-iron-pregnancy.html

12. Hemolytic Anemia; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/anemia/hemolytic-anemia

Also Read:

Sickle Cell and Pregnancy
Thalasemmia during Pregnancy
How to Naturally Increase Progesterone to Get Pregnant
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) Levels in Pregnancy

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