Page 212 - Critical Maternity & Newborn Health Nursing

• Red cells are reduced in number in folic acid deficiency.

• Defective red blood cell shaped like a sickle in sickle cell

anemia.

Nursing Management of Pregnant Women with

Anemia

Prevention

• Screen all pregnant women for signs and symptoms of

anemia.

• Advise and explain about diet:

o Source of iron and folic acid.

o Absorption of iron is inhibited by tea and coffee and increased by

ascorbic acid.

o Folic acid is destroyed by:

 Prolonged boiling.

 Addition of bicarbonate.

 Cooking in large amounts of water.

• Teach all pregnant patients the importance of taking iron and

vitamins. Supplementary vitamins should be administered at

appropriate times e.g. iron is taken between meals.

Nursing Care for Anemic Patients during Antenatal

Period

Helping the women to understand the condition&its cause and treatment.

Advise the mother to:

• Increase iron intake.

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