Q: I am 26 years old and two weeks pregnant. First, my Hb is 9 and I have thalassaemia (minor). Second, I don't eat any fruits. Should I continue with my pregnancy? Do I need to follow a specific diet? Please advise.

A:Take iron and folic acid supplements daily till the time you breast feed the baby. Please include meat, eggs, green leafy vegetables, nuts, banana, etc. into your diet. Please consult a gynaecologist and a dietician (to help plan your diet) as with a haemoglobin this low, both the baby and you may have problems. There is absolutely no contraindication to iron intake in iron-deficient thalassaemia carriers.