What do "mild", "moderate" and "severe" anaemia mean in pregnancy?
In short
- "Mild", "moderate" and "severe" are anaemia bands. They're based on your Hb result.
- Mild is 10.0 to 10.9. Moderate is 7.0 to 9.9. Severe is below 7.0 (in g/dL, the usual unit).
- A lower number means more anaemia. It usually needs faster treatment.
- Your doctor will tell you your band, and what it means for you.
What happens
- Your haemoglobin (Hb) is measured with a blood test (see "What is the haemoglobin test").
- The lab result, in g/dL, is compared against the three bands to grade how anaemic you are.
- Your provider records the grade on your antenatal card and discusses next steps with you.
The details: numbers and where they differ
The numbers
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mild anaemia (pregnant women, India) | 10.0–10.9 g/dL | Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt of India (Anemia Mukt Bharat) |
| Moderate anaemia (pregnant women, India) | 7.0–9.9 g/dL | Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt of India (Anemia Mukt Bharat) |
| Severe anaemia (pregnant women, India) | <7.0 g/dL | Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt of India (Anemia Mukt Bharat) |
| WHO diagnostic cut-off, for comparison (pregnant women, at sea level) | <11.0 g/dL | World Health Organization (WHO) |
When to call your doctor
- If you're told your anaemia is moderate or severe and you don't understand your treatment plan.
- If you feel very tired, breathless, faint or notice a fast heartbeat.
Discuss your results with your doctor: this page reports what these sources say, not advice for your situation.
Sources
- Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt of India (Anemia Mukt Bharat), Anemia Mukt Bharat Training Module. Paraphrased in our own words. © Govt of India, no reuse notice found; treated as MoHFW default (cite + paraphrase).
- World Health Organization (WHO), Haemoglobin concentrations for the diagnosis of anaemia and assessment of severity (VMNIS), 2011. Paraphrased in our own words. CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO (WHO), non-commercial.
Sources checked 2026-09-26. How we source and check every page.
Educational summary of named sources, not medical advice.