ANA Project
ANA, what’s that?
It stands for Anaemia and Nutritional Advice, and it’s a project funded by New Deal for Communities to help midwives work with women whose diet might leave them at risk of becoming anaemic.
What is anaemia?
There are various types of anaemia but the ANA Project has been set up to help those with iron deficient anaemia - the commonest form of anaemia in pregnancy.
Anaemia is a condition in which the blood cannot carry enough oxygen. There may be less red cells in the blood or the cells might not have enough haemoglobin, and as iron is the main element of haemoglobin, a poor diet low in iron can cause anaemia. The body also needs other vitamins including folic acid and Vitamin B12, a lack of which can also lead to anaemia.
How will I know if I am anaemic and what can I do about it?
The most common symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia include tiredness, lethargy, shortness of breath, and palpitations (irregular heart beat). You may also notice changes in your physical appearance. For example, signs that you may have iron deficiency anaemia include a pale complexion, abnormally smooth tongue, painful ulcers on the corners of your mouth, dry, flaking nails, and spoon shaped nails.
The aim is to make sure you are well during your pregnancy and we hope as a result of the ANA Project advice and your own actions, you will be fit going into labour and feel healthy after the delivery of your baby.
The ANA Project aims to see women individually at a longer ante natal appointment or in your own home. We will discuss your blood results and what they mean to you and look at how these can be improved by diet and/or with iron tablets.
The rest is up to you!
Please call the Community Midwifery Services on 0161 212 4489 for further information. Leave a message for the ANA Project and please leave your contact number so that the midwife can contact you for your next ante natal appointment.
This page was last updated on 28 September 2009
