Managing Thalassemia during Pregnancy – All You Need To Know
- AMALSHA S
- Sep 22
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 24
Pregnancy can pose unique challenges to some women if they are dealing with 'Thalassemia'. Yes, while pregnancy is a beautiful journey, it comes with unique challenges that need planning throughout the 9 months.
Thalassemia in pregnancy is a genetic blood disorder. Women dealing with this cannot make enough healthy haemoglobin, causing anaemia and other health risks. A thalassemia diagnosis in pregnancy means that your body now requires more support and extra medical care for the baby's development (and your own health).
Understanding Thalassemia in Pregnancy
When we talk about thalassemia during pregnancy, we are discussing a group of inherited blood disorders that affect how the body produces haemoglobin. There are three different types: thalassemia minor, intermedia, and major. Each affects the way red blood cells carry oxygen, but the impact depends on the type.
Thalassemia minor usually has no symptoms and usually goes unnoticed, but major and intermediate forms may need frequent blood transfusions and medical care.
So, why does this matter in pregnancy? Because during pregnancy, your body naturally increases the need for healthy red blood cells. Most women deal with low haemoglobin already, and if diagnosed with thalassemia in pregnancy, they may feel more tired and develop higher complications. That is why thalassemia diagnosis is always treated as a special case.
Pre-Pregnancy Considerations
If you are living with thalassemia, planning a pregnancy takes a bit of extra preparation. Here are some pre-pregnancy considerations:
The first step is genetic counselling, as thalassemia is inherited. Counselling can help couples know how the condition may be passed on. It also explains the risk based on the couple's genetic makeup.
Pre-pregnancy health checks also make an impact. Women with active thalassemia usually undergo tests for iron levels, heart function, and liver health.
Another unavoidable requirement is partner screening.
Important: Long-term blood transfusions cause iron overload, which affects organs. Doctors must make sure the female body is ready to handle the increased demands of pregnancy.
What happens if both parents are thalassemia minor?
The risks increase significantly for the baby if both parents are carriers of thalassemia minor:
25% chance of thalassemia major – Baby may inherit faulty genes from both parents, leading to thalassemia major.
50% chance of thalassemia minor - The baby will likely get a gene from only one parent, becoming a carrier. Although no major symptoms arise, there remains a possibility of passing it to their next generation.
25% chance of no thalassemia - The unborn will inherit normal genes from both parents, living free from any condition without being a carrier.
Managing Thalassemia during Pregnancy
Managing thalassemia during pregnancy means balancing with a specialized healthcare team, like the specialists at Bliss Fertility.
Start with a specialist team early on. Women (or couples) with a thalassemia diagnosis should plan pregnancy under the guidance of a gynaecologist and haematologist. Such treatment plans operate carefully based on thalassemia types, organ health, and transfusion history.
Frequent blood tests of haemoglobin are important. This is important so that doctors at Bliss Fertility can schedule a blood transfusion to maintain safe oxygen levels for both mother and baby.
Doctors at Bliss fertility must be careful about iron management. Iron overload from past transfusions is monitored through liver and heart scans. In some cases, chelation therapy is paused during pregnancy unless it's absolutely necessary.
Folic acid medicines help in supporting red blood cell production.
Iron supplements are avoided unless there's a proven deficiency.
Doctors monitor heart and liver functions, as these organs are majorly affected by long-term thalassemia. Apart from this, thyroid, diabetes, and endocrine health in general are assessed.
Couples are advised to undergo prenatal screening - genetic testing of the foetus to check for thalassemia major.
Overall, an experienced pediatrician, hematologist, and obstetrician at Bliss Fertility work in collaboration with your gynecologist for safe birth planning.
Are there any health risks and complications to watch out for when having thalassemia during pregnancy?
Although pregnancy with thalassemia can be safe but it isn't without any risks.
Maternal Health Risks
Since pregnancy increases your body's demand for RBCs, with thalassemia, it can worsen your fatigue.
Increases the chances of blood transfusion.
Women who get frequent transfusions may store excess iron in the heart or liver, leading to complications.
Thalassemia can strain the heart, and pregnancy adds extra pressure, causing increased heart risks, chances of rhythm disturbances, and heart failure.
Since immunity is reduced due to anaemia or splenectomy, it can lead to more infections during pregnancy.
Risks for the Baby
The unborn may not grow as expected/ required in case the maternal haemoglobin remains low constantly.
There are high chances of early labour and preterm delivery.
If both partners are thalassemia minor, the baby may inherit thalassemia major, a severe complication that remains for life.
Because of the above factors, thalassemia in pregnancy is always at high risk, but with the right measures, you can proceed safely.
Conclusion
Managing thalassemia in pregnancy means you need to plan carefully. With medical care, a correct lifestyle, and focusing on emotional health is also crucial. Delivery is another key stage where planning is important.
A multidisciplinary team makes sure both mother and baby receive the best and safest care. The choice between a normal delivery and a C-section depends on the woman’s health, haemoglobin levels, and pregnancy progress. After birth, postnatal follow-up monitoring of iron level, organ function, etc, is also important.
Because every mother deserves care, Bliss Fertility supports you through thalassemia in pregnancy. Visit Today! Call Now
+91 62 62 62 32 62 (Kottayam & Maldives)