Can childbirth cause anemia? What is postpartum anemia?
Approximately 10% of women will suffer from anemia within the first six months after delivering their baby38 and 4% of women will have anemia lasting up to twelve months.39 Anemia experienced by mothers during this time following childbirth is called postpartum anemia and is usually caused by iron deficiency. Mothers suffering from postpartum anemia most likely lost a large amount of blood during childbirth, had twins or other multiple births, or were anemic during the third trimester of pregnancy.9 In any case, losing large amounts of blood or having low iron levels leaves the mother at risk for developing anemia. Following childbirth, the mothers body needs to start making new red blood cells. To do so, she will need enough iron to make hemoglobin, the part of the red blood cell that carries oxygen throughout the body. If she has anemia and there is not enough stored iron, her body will be unable to raise hemoglobin levels and reverse the anemia. Low iron levels before and after chil
Approximately 10% of women will suffer from anemia within the first six months after delivering their baby38 and 4% of women will have anemia lasting up to twelve months.39 Anemia experienced by mothers during this time following childbirth is called postpartum anemia and is usually caused by iron deficiency. Mothers suffering from postpartum anemia most likely lost a large amount of blood during childbirth, had twins or other multiple births, or were anemic during the third trimester of pregnancy.9 In any case, losing large amounts of blood or having low iron levels leaves the mother at risk for developing anemia. Following childbirth, the mother’s body needs to start making new red blood cells. To do so, she will need enough iron to make hemoglobin, the part of the red blood cell that carries oxygen throughout the body. If she has anemia and there is not enough stored iron, her body will be unable to raise hemoglobin levels and reverse the anemia. Low iron levels before and after chi
