What is considered a normal hemoglobin (Hgb) level in the third trimester of pregnancy?

A normal hemoglobin (Hgb) level during the third trimester of pregnancy typically ranges from about 11.0 to 12.0 grams per deciliter. During pregnancy, especially in the later stages, women experience physiological changes and increased blood volume, which can lead to dilutional anemia, where the hemoglobin levels may be somewhat lower than the typical non-pregnant range.

Selecting 10.0 grams per deciliter reflects the lower threshold of normal that can be seen among pregnant women in their third trimester, as it accounts for the changes in blood volume and iron levels that occur. Levels below this may indicate the need for further evaluation or intervention, while levels above this threshold, like 11.0 or 12.5, could also be seen as appropriate within the context but may not represent the lower limit effectively.

In contrast, levels such as 9.0 grams per deciliter would be regarded as low and warrant further investigation or management, as they could suggest significant anemia or other health concerns during pregnancy.