B12 Deficiency in Pregnancy

2019-08-28

B12 IN PREGNANT WOMEN

Pregnancy is a crucial part of any woman’s life. They need to take special care of their bodies as well as meet the requirements of nutritional value. In this process, they need to check what they are eating. Women need to take special care of nutrients during pregnancy. Lack of vitamins and supplements can lead to severe consequences. Vitamin B-12, a vital part of vitamin family is very essential for the body. It is also called cobalamin(B12). Its dictionary meaning is a group of cobalt-containing substances including cyanocobalamin. Especially in the case of pregnant ladies deficiency of this vitamin can lead to severe consequences.B12 helps to strengthen our nervous system too and prevents the risk of brain damage. This vitamin is thus crucial for maintaining the energy level in the body.

WHAT DOES B-12 DO?

Vitamin B-12 is of utmost importance for several body processes including the nervous function and the production of DNA and red blood cells in the body.B12 helps in the formation of Red Blood Cells(RBCs)in the body. As a result, folic absorption is less. Lack of this vitamin can lead to harmful effects on the body, especially pregnant ladies. It is a water-soluble vitamin.

FACTS ABOUT VITAMIN B12 (COBALAMIN)

Now I am going to focus on some interesting facts about vitamin B-12 which you probably are not aware of.

a)It is the largest and complex set of vitamins.
b)Another fact is that our body can store vitamin B-12 for up to 4 years. Though we need a small amount in day to day life.
c)Vitamin C can decrease the absorption of vitamin B-12.So always try to consume vitamin C after or before one hour of cobalamin or B-12.
Now let us see what is the normal range of cobalamin in pregnant women. Though it may differ on certain scales.

NORMAL RANGE OF B-12 IN PREGNANCY

The normal range of vitamin B-12 in pregnancy is between 200-900 picograms per milliliter(pg/ml). If its lower than 200 pg/ml t. Deficiency should be confirmed by checking the level of h. Deficiency should be confirmed by checking the level of the substance in the blood called methylmalonic acid. It can be easily detected by a normal blood test. A particular test is done for this type of deficiency that is known as the Schilling test. This test is mainly done to determine whether you are absorbing vitamin B-12 properly. This is done through a blood test but mainly it is done in four stages.

SYMPTOMS OF VITAMIN B-12 DEFICIENCY IN PREGNANCY

Let us have a look at the symptoms of B-12 deficiency which must never be neglected. +9*In pregnancy. if you are suffering from these particular signs or symptoms then be aware-

1)Shortness of breath and dizziness in some cases.
2))Tiredness and physical and mental weakness
3)You look yellowish or pale.
4) An upset stomach is the other symptom. You may have no appetite, diarrhea, constipation, etc.
5)You may suffer from muscle weakness, numbness in hands and feet and swollen feet

REASONS OF VITAMIN B-12 DEFICIENCY IN PREGNANT LADIES

Hey, ladies if you are a vegan then you are more likely to suffer from the deficiency of B-12. It is more in meat, beef, egg, etc. If you don’t consume the dairy products i.e cheese, curd, milk, etc then you may lack vitamin B-12. In most of the cases, the vegans are more prone to cobalamin deficiency.

RISKS

The ladies who are pregnant if they lack vitamin B-12 can lead to severe consequences. The list is as follows-

a)There can be a risk of premature birth and lower birth weight.
b)Anemia can be caused by a lack of vitamin B-12 as this vitamin helps in the absorption of iron in the blood.
c)Lack of vitamin B-12 can badly affect your spine and central nervous system.
d)There are more chances of repeat miscarriages. Sometimes it may increase the risk of diabetes in the child.

DIET CHART TO BE FOLLOWED

If you are non-vegetarian then you can get this vitamin from meat products or animal products. But if you are a vegan then you need to add some food items in your daily diet. So the following diet must be included in your food plate to avoid deficiency of this vitamin for the vegans-

Yogurt
Cheese
Eggs
Milk(low -fat milk or soya milk)
Rice water
Mushrooms
Nutritional yeast
You can also take vitamin B-12 supplements

In severe cases where deficiency is lower than the normal range, the gynecologists give injections too which is weekly and lasts for 3 months. In pregnancy B-12 deficiency may go unrecognized if anemia is mistakingly related to other causes such as iron deficiency.
I hope this article is surely gonna help you in detecting B-12 related deficiencies and find a proper solution to fight the deficiency in your crucial phase of pregnancy.
Thanks for reading. Have a great day.

Sunita Panwar(Neetu) is living in Noida. She did her BBA(Bachelors in Business Administration) and MBA(Finance)from Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra. She has also studied Journalism and Mass Communications. Sunita had been in South Africa for 5 years. Writing is her passion. Health, fitness, and nutrition always have been her areas of interest. She has been writing blogs for some magazines and websites too. Authentic and interesting topics are what you are gonna read in the near future.