Signs You May Have Postpartum Anemia

Anemia – a condition where the blood develops fewer healthy red blood cells than normal – is not only common in pregnancy. Some reports say that up to 27% of women in North America develop postpartum anemia during the early postpartum period. In half of the cases, the anemia is caused by low iron deficiency.

Pregnancy increases blood volume in the body, which means it needs more iron. Even after pregnancy, a woman’s iron count may be low, which is often how postpartum anemia develops.

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At the very least, anemia can cause discomfort and difficulty in performing daily tasks. But left untreated, it can be fatal, since the lack of oxygen that’s carried by red blood cells can cause organ damage as well as failure.

Knowing the signs of postpartum anemia is important to identify if you may be suffering from it. If you’re experiencing one or more of these symptoms after giving birth, it may be wise to contact your doctor to confirm if it’s anemia.

Low Energy

Many people with anemia feel more tired than usual. Though it’s normal to have lower-than-average energy levels with a new baby, if this develops in tandem with other signs, the likely culprit is postpartum anemia.

Exhaustion

Exhaustion is characterized by a lack of physical and/or mental energy, and difficulty staying awake and alert. It makes it difficult to complete regular activities. It’s normal to feel this way when you have a new baby in the house. But if the exhaustion lasts for weeks on end with no improvement (especially if it gets worse), it can indicate you have anemia.

Weakness

Along with tiredness, you may experience weakness. This can feel like a lack of muscle strength and exhaustion as well as a reduced ability to move your body. You may have difficulty standing up, being on your feet for too long, or lifting heavy things.

Confusion

With postpartum anemia comes low energy, and this can impact your cognitive ability. You may feel cloudy or unable to think straight, or it can also cause confusion. This doesn’t just mean disorientation. Anemia-induced confusion can also cause difficulty paying attention, remembering details, and making decisions.

Poor Breast Milk

Some women with postpartum anemia experience a lower quality and quantity of breast milk as a result. This can make breastfeeding difficult and has been linked to low weight gain in infants. Read our guide on how to improve low breast milk production for more information.

Pale Skin

If your skin is paler than normal, it can indicate a shortage of normal red blood cells. Paleness doesn’t just affect the skin; it can also change the color of your lips, gums, and tongue. While anemia can cause this, other explanations may be a nutrient deficiency, blood loss, low blood pressure, or even an infection.

Headaches

Anemia is characterized by a low red blood cell count, which prevents enough oxygen from being delivered to organs. This prevents organs from functioning at 100%, including the brain. Low oxygen causes the brain’s blood vessels to swell, which can cause a headache.

Headaches can vary in pain and severity. It can feel like a dull, aching pain, or pressure across the forehead or sides. You may also experience pain in your scalp, neck, and shoulder muscles.

Irritability

When you have anemia, it can make you feel unwell and uncomfortable. It’s common for this to cause irritability; you may be more frustrated, impatient, annoyed, or even angrier than normal. When you add on the fact that you have a newborn, being irritable is a big indicator of postpartum anemia.

If you’re feeling irritable or angry around the baby, it’s important to take time to calm yourself down. Read our checklist of signs that can indicate mom needs a 5-minute break. Have someone watch the baby or put them in a safe spot momentarily, so you can respond to your distress.

Mood Swings

You may also experience fluctuating moods if you have postpartum anemia since iron deficiency can directly impact brain function. This can impact your ability to learn and memorize as well as cause emotional and psychological problems.

Low Libido

Since anemia impacts energy levels and bodily functions, it can have an impact on libido. It’s normal for people to experience a lower sex drive, though a reduced libido is common in postpartum, in general.

Shortness of Breath

With a lack of oxygen being delivered to the body’s organs, it’s common to be left short of breath with anemia. Your breathing may become harder, quicker, and/or deeper, particularly if you’re doing anything active.

Decreased Immunity

Iron is an important part of the body’s immune system, so when levels are running low, it can have a negative impact. With decreased immunity, you’re more susceptive to infection. Decreased immunity worsens as postpartum anemia is left untreated.

If you believe you have postpartum anemia, we encourage you to book an appointment with your doctor to get tested and discuss treatment options, if applicable.

Sources: BMC, Mom Junction, Buoy Health, NIH, Apex Medical Professionals,