Anemia—when you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells—affects millions of pregnant women worldwide and can lead to serious complications during and after childbirth. A major international health organization reviewed all the best research on this problem and created new guidelines to help doctors catch and treat anemia early in pregnancy. The recommendations include simple blood tests at the start of pregnancy and again at 6 months, plus vitamin supplements for all pregnant women. These steps could prevent hundreds of thousands of deaths each year, especially in poorer countries where anemia is most common.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How to best find, prevent, and treat anemia (low red blood cell count) in pregnant women to stop dangerous bleeding after delivery
  • Who participated: This wasn’t a study of real patients—instead, experts reviewed all the best research already done on this topic worldwide
  • Key finding: Simple blood tests early in pregnancy and vitamin supplements can catch anemia before it becomes dangerous, potentially preventing hundreds of thousands of deaths annually
  • What it means for you: If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, ask your doctor about anemia screening at your first appointment and again around 6 months. Taking iron and folic acid supplements as recommended can significantly reduce your risk of serious complications.

The Research Details

This paper is a clinical guideline, not a traditional research study. Experts from the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) carefully reviewed all the best scientific evidence about anemia in pregnancy. They looked at studies about screening (testing for the condition), diagnosis (confirming someone has it), prevention (stopping it before it starts), and treatment (helping people who have it). The experts then used this evidence to create clear recommendations that doctors around the world can follow.

The guideline focuses especially on pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries, where anemia is most common and causes the most harm. The experts considered different situations—like areas where advanced blood tests aren’t available—and made practical recommendations that work everywhere.

This approach is important because anemia in pregnancy is a huge global health problem that often goes unnoticed until it causes serious harm. By creating clear, evidence-based guidelines, doctors everywhere have a roadmap for catching anemia early when it’s easiest to treat. This is especially critical in countries with fewer medical resources, where anemia contributes to more than half of all pregnancy-related deaths.

This guideline comes from a respected international organization of pregnancy specialists who reviewed the strongest available evidence. However, because this is a guideline rather than a new research study, it summarizes what other researchers have found rather than presenting brand-new data. The recommendations are based on careful review of existing studies, making them reliable for doctors to follow.

What the Results Show

The experts recommend that every pregnant woman should have a simple blood test at her first prenatal visit and again around 6 months of pregnancy to check for anemia. The test can be a complete blood count (the most detailed test) or a simpler hemoglobin check (measuring the protein that carries oxygen in blood). A hemoglobin level below 11 g/dL indicates anemia and needs treatment.

All pregnant women should take iron and folic acid supplements during pregnancy, either as separate pills or combined with other vitamins. These supplements help prevent anemia from developing in the first place. For women who already have anemia, additional treatment depends on the cause and severity.

The guidelines also address special situations: pregnant women in areas with malaria should receive preventive medicine, women in regions with parasitic worms should receive treatment, and women with inherited blood disorders like sickle cell disease need specialized care. The connection between untreated anemia and dangerous bleeding after delivery is emphasized throughout.

The guidelines highlight that anemia during pregnancy increases the risk of postpartum hemorrhage (dangerous bleeding after birth), which is a leading cause of maternal death. Treating anemia before delivery significantly reduces this risk. The recommendations also note that different populations may need slightly different approaches—for example, in areas where certain infections are common, additional preventive treatments are important.

These 2025 guidelines update and strengthen previous recommendations by emphasizing universal screening and treatment. The World Health Organization set a goal to reduce anemia in pregnancy to 15% by 2025, but current rates remain above 30%—more than twice the target. These new guidelines represent a renewed commitment to meeting that goal by providing clearer, more actionable recommendations for healthcare providers worldwide.

As a guideline rather than a new research study, this paper summarizes existing evidence rather than generating new data. The recommendations are most detailed for common situations but may need adjustment for unusual cases. Implementation of these guidelines depends on healthcare systems having access to basic blood testing and supplements, which remains a challenge in some of the poorest regions. The guideline focuses on anemia but doesn’t address all factors that contribute to pregnancy complications.

The Bottom Line

All pregnant women should: (1) Get a blood test for anemia at the first prenatal visit and again around 6 months—HIGH confidence this helps; (2) Take iron and folic acid supplements daily during pregnancy—HIGH confidence this prevents anemia; (3) Follow doctor’s recommendations for additional treatments if anemia is found—HIGH confidence this reduces serious complications. Women in malaria-prone areas should receive malaria prevention, and women with family history of blood disorders should be screened.

These recommendations apply to all pregnant women, especially those in low- and middle-income countries where anemia is most common. Women planning pregnancy should discuss anemia prevention with their doctors before becoming pregnant. Healthcare providers in all settings should implement these screening and treatment guidelines. Partners and family members should support pregnant women in taking supplements and attending prenatal appointments.

Blood tests show results immediately, allowing doctors to start treatment right away if needed. Iron supplements typically improve anemia within 4-8 weeks, though full recovery may take longer. The benefits of prevention are seen throughout pregnancy and especially during and after delivery, when the risk of dangerous bleeding is highest.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Log your hemoglobin level at each prenatal visit (starting at booking and at 28 weeks) to track whether your anemia is improving with treatment. Record daily iron and folic acid supplement intake to ensure consistency.
  • Set a daily reminder to take your iron and folic acid supplements at the same time each day. Mark your prenatal appointment dates in the app and note when blood tests are scheduled. If anemia is detected, use the app to track any symptoms (fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness) to share with your doctor.
  • Create a chart in the app showing your hemoglobin levels over time. Track supplement adherence with a daily checklist. Set alerts for upcoming prenatal visits and blood tests. Document any side effects from supplements (like constipation) to discuss with your healthcare provider, as adjustments may help.

This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for healthcare providers and pregnant women. It is not a substitute for personalized medical advice from your doctor. Anemia in pregnancy requires professional diagnosis and treatment. If you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, discuss anemia screening and supplementation with your healthcare provider to determine what’s appropriate for your individual situation. Some women may have conditions that require different treatment approaches than these general recommendations. Always follow your doctor’s specific instructions regarding testing, supplements, and treatment.