Anaemia

• Women are routinely screened for anaemia twice during pregnancy:

  • Booking clinic (8-12 weeks)
  • 28 weeks gestation
• During pregnancy, the plasma volume increases. This results in a reduction in the haemoglobin concentration. The blood is diluted due to the higher plasma volume.
• Normal ranges for haemoglobin during pregnancy:

  • Booking bloods: >110
  • 28 weeks: >105
  • Post partum: >100
• Women are offered haemoglobinopathy screening at the booking clinic for thalassaemia (all women) and sickle cell disease (women at higher risk).
• Women with anaemia in pregnancy are started on iron replacement (e.g., ferrous sulfate 200mg once daily)
• Women with a haemoglobinopathy will be managed jointly with a specialist haematologist. They require high dose folic acid (5mg), close monitoring and transfusions when required.