Ayurvedic View
During pregnancy baby is totally dependable on mother for nutrition as well as emotions
or etc. Both are connected each other with placental cord till out coming of baby
to the outer world. So, this way baby contribute in each and every nutrition which
is consumed by mother.This phenomena demands higher intake of all the elements including
iron intake. That results in iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy.
- Excessive intake of alkaline, sour, saline, hot, Virudhaaahara and AsatmyaBhojana
- Sleeping during day time
- Exercise or sexual intercourse before complete digestion of food
- Improper administration of PanchaKarma therapies
- Transgression of prescribed seasonal regimens and suppression of natural urges.
Symptoms
Symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia are not unique to iron deficiency (i.e. not
pathognomonic). Iron is needed for many enzymes to function normally, so a wide
range of symptoms may eventually emerge, either as the secondary result of the anaemia,
or as other primary results of iron deficiency. Symptoms of iron deficiency include:
- general fatigue
- weakness
- pale skin
- shortness of breath
- dizziness
- strange cravings for non-food items, such as dirt, ice, and clay
- tingling or a crawling feeling in the legs
- swelling or soreness in the tongue
- cold hands and feet
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- brittle nails
- headaches
What Ayurveda says
General symptoms of PanduRoga as described by Aacharya Charaka are, the patient
suffers from tinnitus, suppression of the power of digestion, weakness, prostration,
repugnance against food, fatigue, giddiness, pain in the body, fever, dyspnoea,
heaviness and anorexia. Patient feels as if all the limbs of his body are being
kneaded, squeezed and churned. Patient suffers from swelling of the orbital region.
Patient’s complexion becomes green, small hair of his body fall out, loses his bodily
lusture, becomes irritable, dislikes cold things, feels sleepy, spits in excess,
avoids speaking, suffers from cramps in the calf region and while making efforts
for climbing, suffers from pain and weakness in the lumber region, thighs and feet.
Risk Factors for Anaemia in Pregnancy
All pregnant women are at risk for becoming anemic. That's because they need more
iron and folic acid than usual. But the risk is higher if you:
- Are pregnant with multiples (more than one child)
- Have had two pregnancies close together
- Vomit a lot because of morning sickness
- Are a pregnant teenager
- Don't eat enough foods that are rich in iron
- Had anaemia before you became pregnant
How it Affects mother’s health
- During pregnancy
- Malnutrition
- Recurrent infection
- Heart failure (rarely)
- During labour
- Post partum haemorrhage
- Shock
- Cardiac failure (rarely)
- After child birth
- Failing of lactation
- Sepsis ( infection)
- Pulmonary embolism
- Venous thrombosis
How it affects baby
Amount of iron transferred to the baby is unaffected even if the mother suffers
from iron deficiency anaemia. So the neonate does not suffer from anaemia at birth.
But there is increased incidence of low birth weight babies with it. There may be
intrauterine death due to severe maternal anoxaemia(lack of oxygen level to tissue)
Ayurvedic Management
As per Ayurveda anaemia (pandu) is a disease of rasavahasrotasa. It is condition
which occurs due to rasakshaya. During pregnancy the elements which consumed by
mother is contributed by fetus which leads to rasakshaya. So as per Ayurveda we
have to work on rasavahasrotasa.
Ayurvedic Drugs
- Navayaslauha
- Vidangadiloha
- AamalakiRasayana
- Gaumutraharitaki
- Lohasava
- Punarnavasava
- Yogarajaguggalu
- Lohasava
- Punarnavadimandoora
- Dadimadhyaghrurta (ghee)
- Pathyadighruta (ghee)
- Shilajitavati
- Dhatrirasayana etc.
Home remedies
- Apple :
“An apple a day keeps doctor away.” The famous health quotes proves its popularity
exactly. Apple is a rich iron source including other essential elements. However,
not one but 2-3 apples in a day can fulfil a person’s need for a day.
- Honey : Honey is an excellent source for anaemia. It is rich in iron, copper
and manganese.
- Black currant :
Soak 8-10 black currants for overnight in water. In the morning remove the seeds
and drink it at least for one month.
- Winter melon :
It is a good source for iron as well as multivitamins to correct your deficiency.
- Wheatgerm :
It is a powerhouse if nutrients, mainly iron and zinc. It is a portion which is
removed while processing refined flour. This is particularly beneficial for vegetarians
who cannot get some first rated nutrients sourced from animals.
- Bananas :
Consume a ripe banana with 2 tbs honey, daily.
- Almonds :
Soak about 6-7 almonds in water for a night and eat in the next morning after removing
its skin.
- Amla :
Mix 50 ml of fresh amla juice with 20 ml of honey and drink it every morning.
- Milk :
Milk is almost complete diet, so how can we forget it for iron source. Add about
5-7 black pepper balls in 200 ml of milk and boil it well in an iron vessel. This
concept is similar to pippalirasayana described by Acharya Charak in rasayanachikitsa.
- Spinach :
Spinach, as a vegetable, is an excellent remedy to overcome iron deficiency.
- Dandelion and burdock root :
These herbs increase the body’s ability to absorb iron from the food that is consumed.
- Massage :
Getting a whole body massage with oils like mustard, olive or coconut can help in
increasing the blood circulation of the body. You can also use Ayurvedic medicated
oil for massage like MAHAMASH TAILA, ASHWAGANDHA TAILA, LAKSHADI TAILA etc.
- Cold bath :
It is also excellent thing to treat iron deficiency anaemia.
- Tomato juice
- Other :
Beans, eggs, brown rice, raisins, seafood, beets, poultry, sunflower seeds, dried
fruits, vitamin C rich diet like citrus fruits, green pepper, whole grains and chives.
Folic acid rich foods like fresh leafy vegetables, mushrooms, lima beans, black
eyed peas.
Daily laxatives are also beneficial as per Ayurveda sidhhanta.