Ready

Waking up

to another day

sitting in my mother’s

rocking chair

air on

cooling my shoulders

feeling good

snuggling into myself

ready

before the world

tries to force

my attention

back into the blackness

spin of dizzying sin.

My memories

making me smile

something to live for

another day in the dreams

of an old man

helping the horizon up

rocking slow

and powerful

in yesterday

ready

for today.

IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA DURING PREGNANCY: IMPACT ON MATERNAL AND FETAL HEALTH  

Feruza Jumanazar qizi Boymurodova

Student, Faculty of Medicine, Karshi State University  

ABSTRACT

This article analyzes the etiological factors, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, impact on maternal and fetal health, as well as modern approaches to the prevention and treatment of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy. Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most significant hematological conditions encountered during pregnancy and can substantially affect both maternal and fetal health. The expansion of maternal blood volume during pregnancy, along with increased iron requirements for placental and fetal development, heightens the risk of developing iron deficiency. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 40% of pregnant women worldwide suffer from anemia, with at least half of these cases attributed to iron deficiency.  

Keywords: pregnancy, iron deficiency, anemia, hemoglobin, ferritin, fetus, maternal health, prevention, iron supplements.  

INTRODUCTION  

Pregnancy represents a period marked by complex physiological adaptations within the female body. Significant changes occur in the circulatory system, endocrine system, metabolism, and hematopoiesis during this period. To support fetal growth and development, maternal requirements for iron, folate, and other essential trace elements increase.  

Anemia ranks among the most common hematological disorders during pregnancy, primarily caused by iron deficiency. According to data from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, failure to maintain adequate iron stores amid heightened physiological demands can lead to adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.  

Iron deficiency leads not only to reduced hemoglobin synthesis but also impairs tissue oxygenation. Therefore, early detection, identification of underlying causes, and timely management of anemia remain vital priorities in obstetric practice.  

MATERIALS AND METHODS  

In preparing this paper, modern clinical guidelines and scientific literature regarding iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy were evaluated. The diagnostic significance of hemoglobin and ferritin levels, as well as preventive strategies and iron supplementation protocols, were examined. The WHO highlights serum ferritin concentration as the primary biomarker for evaluating body iron stores.  

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION  

Increased Iron Requirement During Pregnancy

Maternal blood volume expands substantially throughout pregnancy. Concurrently, adequate iron supply is required for placental and fetal growth. Consequently, the demand for iron increases significantly compared to pre-pregnancy levels. Inadequate dietary intake or depleted baseline iron stores accelerate the progression of iron deficiency.  

Primary Causes of Iron Deficiency Anemia:  

Inadequate dietary iron intake;  

Low baseline iron reserves prior to pregnancy;  

Unrestored iron stores following previous pregnancies and deliveries;  

Impaired intestinal iron absorption;  

Chronic blood loss.  

Diagnostics

A complete blood count plays a key role in identifying iron deficiency anemia. Reduced hemoglobin levels confirm the presence of anemia. However, serum ferritin remains the definitive parameter for accurately assessing iron reserves. Depending on the clinical scenario, suspected iron deficiency warrants the following evaluations:  

Complete blood count;  

Hemoglobin concentration;  

Red blood cell indices;  

Serum ferritin levels;  

Additional iron metabolism parameters as clinically indicated.  

Not all cases of anemia should automatically be attributed to iron deficiency. Folate or vitamin B12 deficiencies, acute or chronic hemorrhage, hemoglobinopathies, and other underlying pathologies can also precipitate anemia.

Prevention and Management

Preventing iron deficiency anemia relies on balanced nutrition, continuous medical monitoring starting from preconception planning, and adherence to prescribed iron-folic acid supplementation. Prophylactic administration of 30–60 mg of elemental iron and 400 mcg of folic acid daily is recommended for pregnant women. This regimen lowers the risk of maternal anemia, postpartum infections, low birth weight, and preterm labor.  

Therapeutic management must be established strictly by a physician, tailored to the severity of anemia, confirmed iron status, gestational age, gastrointestinal tolerance, and individual patient profile. Self-administration of iron supplements is strongly discouraged.  

CONCLUSION  

Iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy remains a major clinical challenge directly influencing maternal and fetal well-being. Early identification requires routine monitoring of hemoglobin levels and serum ferritin assessments when indicated. Timely diagnosis and targeted treatment improve maternal physiological status and mitigate the risk of adverse obstetric outcomes. Prophylactic strategies, including healthy nutrition, family planning, antenatal care, and physician-guided iron and folic acid supplementation, are critical components of optimal maternal-child healthcare.

Feruza Jumanazar qizi Boymurodova was born on May 22, 2005, in the Kitob district of the Qashqadaryo region. Currently a student at the Faculty of Medicine at Karshi State University, she engages in scientific research at the intersection of medicine and social projects.

She has actively participated in the “AI Girls Bootcamp” startup program held in Tashkent, as well as on the “RISE&GLOW” and “Kelajak” platforms. She has served as a volunteer in organizations such as “Salomatlik,” “Vitamed,” and “Oltin Qanot,” and took part in the “Best Promoter” (Eng yaxshi targ‘ibotchi) contest.

On an international level, she has been accepted as a member of the Argentine Society of Writers. Her scientific articles have been published in international academic proceedings

While Looking at Jennifer Lopez’s Photo

–

Your photo in underwear

Affects the human subconscious.

Your body is like an ancient hourglass,

And you are a modern lady.

Time itself grows old, but you do not.

–

Your body is like an hourglass,

And perhaps because of this,

You have as many admirers as grains of sand.

–

Your body is like an hourglass.

The wristwatches of those who are in love with you

Check their pulses like doctors.

They have found heart pain.

–

Your body is like an hourglass,

And

Wall clocks have grown old.

Now the hands of those clocks

Are like old people walking on three legs.

–

And

You, on two legs, are both

The most beautiful woman in this world

And the most beautiful in heaven.

–

You are also like wine.

As the years pass, your quality increases,

And you drive people out of their minds.

–

But your voice

Is melodious like the sound of a clock.

In what pleasant hour

Of God’s good mood did you come into this world?

–

This is the most beautiful poem

Written for you.

Save its author

From this hell.

The Prankster Goose 

As a child, I loved reading a short story by Constancio C. Vigil titled ‘The Prankster Goose.’ About twenty years later, a series of personal events brought that story back to mind. Because of this, I decided to borrow the same title for the autobiographical episode you are reading now.

My interest in literature was, and still is, much stronger than my interest in education. Consequently, to strike a balance, I studied just enough to get by, managing to graduate as a Language and Literature teacher.

Around that time, to supplement my small teacher’s salary, I took a job as a freelance proofreader for Editorial Zahorí. The publishing house, which specialized in the humanities, was located in the San Telmo neighborhood.

I have no modesty when it comes to praising myself. My dedication to work, deep knowledge of the Spanish language, and passion for exploring grammar and style—combined with an obsessive eye for detail—quickly led to my promotion as an independent editor for published works.

Back then, before computers were everywhere, my job was to carefully read through manuscripts typed on Underwoods, Remingtons, or Olivettis. Using a pen or pencil, I cleared away the errors and absurd blunders that authors—including doctors, sociologists, historians, psychoanalysts, and even language and literature teachers—frequently made. I then replaced them with the correct, or at least sensible, terms. I found that task highly enjoyable. 

However, the work wasn’t steady. There were often long pauses—sometimes lasting months—when my skills weren’t needed at all. Even so, my occasional visits to the publishing house gradually helped me get to know the team. As it turned out, they were generally very pleasant and kind people. 

Because of my work, I dealt almost exclusively with the editor-in-chief, a young woman slightly older than me. Everyone warmly called her ‘Profe Tita,’ though her legal name was Josefina Titorelli. Now and then, I also chatted briefly with three or four other young women, whom I would call ‘junior editors’—meant with no offense.

My conversations with Tita could easily last over an hour. As anyone in publishing knows, editing is a delicate task that requires treading carefully and leaving nothing to chance.

We fine-tuned text details in a spacious main room. Towards the back, behind a wood-and-glass partition, sat the accounting office headed by Mr. Jeremiasz Schmar. His sharp features, fair skin, and pale blue eyes made it obvious he was from Eastern Europe. He was about forty-five years old and spoke Spanish with a high-pitched voice and a thick foreign accent that made him instantly recognizable.

Sometimes, Don Jeremías (as he was respectfully called) would politely interrupt Tita and me to briefly discuss the company’s finances. During these short chats, I got a clear sense of how he spoke.

Once, he complained slightly about the poor public transit he had to take to the publishing house.

‘Wait, really?’ Tita asked, surprised. ‘I thought you walked here…’

‘I used to, back when I lived at Tacuarí and Avenida Belgrano,’ he replied. ‘But I’ve moved far away now—to Pasaje Calíngasta, in Villa Santa Rita.

I became fascinated by the way Don Jeremías spoke Spanish. One day, once he was out of earshot, I leaned in and whispered a few sentences to Tita, perfectly imitating his accent. 

To my surprise, Tita completely forgot her usual serious self. Though she was often sarcastic, she rarely lost her composure—but this time, she burst into a loud, roaring laugh. It was a jarring sound in a place usually dedicated to quiet books and culture. 

From then on—much to Tita’s delight—I often mimicked Don Jeremías’s eccentric speech. I would mock his harsh s sounds, his habit of mixing up r and l, his strange vowel sounds, his misplaced accents, and his grammar mistakes.

Since I love a good comedic exaggeration, it didn’t take long for me to expand my audience. With the help of Brunelda—a rather plump young woman who worked as the cheerful receptionist—I started pretending to be Mr. Jeremías whenever I called the office. Our phone calls always followed the exact same routine: 

ME (in a highly exaggerated voice): Good afternoon. Would you do me the favor of putting me through to the lovely teacher, Miss Tita?

BRUNELDA (cracking up): Sure, of course. Who is calling, sir?

ME (polite but firm): It’s Mr. Jeremías. How could you not recognize my voice after all these years?

BRUNELDA (mock-apologetic): Oh, yes, you’re right, Don Jeremías. Please forgive me! I’ll put you through to Teacher Tita right away.

Our little theater routine between Brunelda, Tita, and me continued unchanged. It wasn’t the most thrilling pastime, but it was fun and added an amusing twist to our professional relationship. This went on for at least six or eight months.

Eventually, I noticed that Mr. Jeremías was no longer around the publishing house. I even started to worry that he might have passed away.

Thankfully, my fears were unfounded. Tita told me that Don Jeremías had simply resigned to join another company—apparently for better pay.

Even though he was gone, there was no reason to stop my imitation. You might think a joke like that would eventually get old, but the three of us truly enjoyed these silly, harmless antics.

The routine was interrupted, however, by a long silence. Three or four months passed without a single call from the publishing house.

It was late August, and a cold, gray winter was settling over Buenos Aires. Troubled by the thought that Zahorí Publishing might be unhappy with my work, I finally mustered the courage one afternoon to call them.

ME (in the voice of Mr. Jeremías): Good afternoon. Would you do me the favor of connecting me with the lovely teacher, Miss Tita?

NEW VOICE: Who is calling, sir?

ME (polite but firm): Mr. Jeremías. How could you not recognize my voice after all these years?

NEW VOICE: I don’t understand, sir. I’m sorry, I don’t know what you mean…

ME (realizing something is wrong): Wait a moment! Am I not speaking with Miss Brunelda?

RECEPTIONIST: No, sir, I’m sorry. Brunelda is no longer with the company. I am the new receptionist.

ME: Good heavens! What a surprise! Tell me, what is your name, my lovely new telephone operator?

RECEPTIONIST: My name is Amalia.

ME: Ah, Amelia! And what is your last name?

RECEPTIONIST: Not Amelia—Amalia. Amalia Sortini.

ME: Oh, Sordini! Does that mean you are deaf? That you cannot hear words, music, or the barking of cats?

RECEPTIONIST: I hear perfectly well, sir. You are the one who isn’t hearing me. I didn’t say Sordini, I said Sortini.

ME: Ah, Sortini! A lovely Italian name, full of good fortune. When I visited Italy, I discovered such delicious food. In Argentina, I am used to eating nutritious pasta. I always have sorrentinos for lunch on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. On Tuesdays and Sundays, however, I prefer soup and boiled radishes!

RECEPTIONIST (in an icy tone): I will transfer you to Ms. Tita right away.

ME: Thank you very much! I’ll speak with Miss Tita right away.

As luck would have it, Tita was just about to call me to edit a new manuscript. She asked me to come pick it up the next day.

That was how I met Amalia in person. With her bristly hair, sharp triangular face, and hooked nose, she looked like a hawk—or at the very least, a fighting rooster. She was very thin, wore glasses, looked to be about forty, and carried a sour expression. She gave off the strict vibe of a veteran postal clerk or a city archivist.

Dropping the Don Jeremías act, I simply told her I was there to see Tita. Amalia buzzed me in over the intercom.

Once inside, Tita told me that Brunelda had graduated law school and was now working at a firm. Proud of my telephone performance from the day before, I told Tita all about my chat with the new receptionist, fully expecting her to laugh. Instead, she looked worried:

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to involve Amalia in your little sketches. She has less of a sense of humor than King Tut’s mummy. Honestly, Fer, she might actually get angry with you.”

“Fair enough, I’ll take your advice,” I said. “But maybe I’ll bring back the Don Jeremías persona when I call on the phone sometime.”

Tita looked doubtful. “I don’t know about that…”

She spread out the manuscript on the desk—the one I had to make readable—and explained the guidelines I needed to follow. The author was more of a media personality than a scholar, widely known for appearing on TV shows that popularized science. Out of politeness, I will keep their identity a secret.

The book was a massive eight hundred pages, and as Tita warned me, it was a total disaster. It was packed with complex charts, data tables, and random quotes in English, French, and German. To make matters worse, names were constantly misspelled throughout.

The project threw every possible hurdle at me. It didn’t help that it dealt with subjects I found completely boring—a messy jungle of psychoanalysis, sociology, epistemology, and linguistics.

Taking on this job meant earning a good amount of money, so I headed home with the massive book in my briefcase and a happy heart. Whenever I do intellectual work, I stop at the first sign of mental fatigue. The moment I feel tired, I put the project away and pick it up the next day. This method means I progress slowly, but what I lose in speed, I gain in accuracy.

So, taking my time and resting often, I forced my way into that dark jungle of a text. It was written in a style that was as overly academic as it was annoying.

On the other hand, the truly enjoyable part of my life followed a very different path. I loved reading fiction and getting swept away by stories with strange twists of fate. Like any reader, I have my absolute favorites.

I will declare, for the hundredth time, my endless admiration for the stories of Marco Denevi. I am captivated by his playful plots, his surprises, his smooth prose, his humor, and his wild imagination. He frequently writes about impostors—people who end up pretending to be someone else. This happens in Rosaura a las diez, Ceremonia secreta, and Los asesinos de los días de fiesta. Ah, those ruthless, funny brothers who lived on San Blas Street! What a beautiful novel!

One Sunday morning in September, I decided to go look for San Blas Street. Back then, I was in my thirties and full of energy, living in the Palermo neighborhood on Paraguay Street. I checked a map of Buenos Aires and realized I could easily get there by bicycle.

I rode down Juan B. Justo Avenue and made a few turns. Finding myself on streets like Meneranda, Iluminada, Honorato, Patricio de la Escosura, Anacarsis and Lucrezia… gave me a bit of a thrill.

Then, when I reached the 3300 block of San Blas Street, I crossed a small side street called Pasaje Calingasta. . I froze. I suddenly remembered that this was exactly where Don Jeremías lived!

I decided to ride down the passage. It was just a single, unremarkable block. I wondered which house belonged to the former accountant of Editorial Zahorí, but then caught myself: why on earth should I care? Still, a nagging curiosity buzzed in my mind like an annoying fly.

As soon as I got home, I flipped to the letter S in the phone book. Hallelujah! There it was: Mr. Schmar’s address and phone number on Pasaje Calingasta. . I don’t know why, but this discovery filled me with absolute joy.

First thing Monday morning, for no logical reason at all, I called Editorial Zahorí:

ME (using an increasingly exaggerated voice): Good morning, Miss Amalia. I hope and trust you remember me.

AMALIA (sounding annoyed): I’m not sure, sir. Who is this?

ME: My name is Mr. Jeremías Schmar. Even if you don’t recall me, I am well aware of Miss Amalia’s beauty and charm. I have often visited the publishing house and walked past your desk.

AMALIA: (Dead silence).

ME: Did you hang up? Can’t you hear me? Won’t you please answer me?

AMALIA: Yes, I hear you, but I don’t understand what you’re trying to say. I don’t know who you are. I’ve never seen you, I don’t know you…

ME: But I know you! And I must confess that I am in love with you and want to marry you as soon as possible.

AMALIA (furious): Tell me, are you crazy? What the hell is wrong with you? Stop trying to be funny, you imbecile, and don’t waste my time with your stupid clown jokes!

ME: But, Miss, list—

Amalia slammed down the phone. I have to admit, her rudeness stung.

Defeated, I went back to work. By working methodically for about three hours a day, it took me nearly ninety days to clean up that monstrosity of a manuscript. By the time I finally finished and freed myself from that heavy burden, it was the summer heat of November.

I proudly walked into Editorial Zahorí to turn it in. But when I reached the reception desk, I was shocked to find a completely new employee: a young girl, maybe eighteen, with blonde hair and bright orange freckles.

Once I was inside with Tita, I remarked, ‘I see there’s a new receptionist. It seems Amalia didn’t last very long.’

Tita smiled. ‘Well, while you were off the map, there were some major developments in our modest little circle.’

There she goes again with her sharp tongue, I thought. Slightly annoyed, I replied, ‘Don’t slander me; I didn’t drop off any map. I was busy battling that massive nightmare of a book written by Professor Gobbledygook.’

Tita smiled again, seemingly satisfied with my excuse. She pulled an off-white card from her desk drawer and handed it to me. I read:

Our moment has arrived. We are getting married and would love to share this special day with you. The ceremony will take place at Santa Rita de Casia Church (3443 Camarones Street) on Saturday, October 23rd, at 9:00 PM.

The bride and groom will greet guests at the church entrance.
Warm regards,
Jeremiasz Schmar and Amalia Sortini

I stared at it. ‘What a shame,’ I said. ‘I would have loved to see that. But Saturday the 23rd has already passed. I found out too late.’

‘Well,’ Tita apologized, ‘I thought about calling you, but with all the workplace hustle and bustle, it completely slipped my mind. Besides, I didn’t think you would actually care all that much.'”

A Note for English Readers: 

I believe it is useful to offer a few brief explanations to the English-speaking reader regarding certain “oddities” that are not oddities at all, but stem exclusively from features of the Spanish language that are absolutely untranslatable into English. 

1) The sorrentinos that “Mr. Jeremías” eats for lunch on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays do not refer—fortunately—to me or to any of the many Sorrentinos of Italian ancestry living in Argentina. Instead, sorrentinos are—like ravioli, gnocchi, etc.—one of the many varieties of pasta that exist. Consequently, it would be unfair to accuse the temperate and harmless Don Jeremías of being a cannibal.

2) In Spanish, the surname Sordini begins with the same morpheme as the common nouns sordo (“deaf”) and sordera (“deafness”). For this reason, Don Jeremías associates that surname with those nouns. 

3) A similar phenomenon occurs with the surname Sortini and the idea of ​​the adjective suertudo (“lucky”). 

That’s all.  I hope and trust I haven’t bored anyone. 

Fernando Sorrentino 

THE IMPACT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ON EDUCATION

To’lqinova Marjona Nazarxon qizi 

Today, digital technologies are permeating almost all areas of our lives. In particular, the development of artificial intelligence technology is having a significant impact on the educational process. Artificial intelligence is becoming one of the modern tools that helps students share information, independently master subjects, and consolidate their knowledge. At the same time, improper use of it can negatively affect a student’s independent thinking and creative abilities. 

Artificial intelligence makes the educational process more convenient and individually organized. A student can receive additional explanations on a topic that is unclear to them, ask questions, and reinforce their knowledge through various examples. There are key advantages to using artificial intelligence in education: 

•  

Opportunities for personalized learning: Artificial intelligence helps provide explanations and tasks tailored to the student’s level of knowledge and needs. 

• 

Accelerated information retrieval: Students can find the necessary information in a short time and get simple explanations of complex concepts. 

However, it is also important to pay attention to certain challenges when using artificial intelligence. If a student prepares all assignments with the help of artificial intelligence and does not try to think independently, their independent thinking and problem-solving skills may not develop sufficiently. Furthermore, information provided by artificial intelligence should not always be accepted as completely accurate and flawless. Therefore, it is important for students to have the skills to verify obtained information, compare sources, and think critically. 

In conclusion, artificial intelligence is a modern technology with great opportunities in the field of education. It helps individualize learning, accelerate information retrieval, and ease the workload of teachers. In the future, proper use of artificial intelligence in the educational process will serve as one of the essential factors in developing students’ knowledge and skills.

Emily as Ten Billion People

The second fawn felt love

before it knew it would have

to consume the world

to stay part of the world.

The second fawn found Emily

& thought what she held out

in her cupped hands might be

space or time or a safe river,

but it was one of those bruised

apples we give away the moment

before the spoil. I wish I was

the second fawn. I eat blue.

Emily as Landing Cliffs

Each morning, a rapid

kisses our shoulders

& we must decide again

to be rooted, to flow 

just enough to be whole

& with each other in some

real way that gives the epic

a shot at stepping forth

into our hearts where we

can make all water a near

& distant world we choose

after we kiss each other.

Emily as Colors in Space

What father?

What son?

The symptoms 

are the same,

Emily says.

Can you breathe

& still love me?

Everything else

is just cancer

& some pursuit.

What father?

What son?

Darren C. Demaree’s poems have appeared or are scheduled to appear in numerous magazines/journals, including Hotel Amerika, Diode, North American Review, New Letters, Diagram, and the Colorado Review. He is the author of twenty-five poetry collections, most recently Got There: Poems on Vanishing (April 2026, April Gloaming Publishing). He’s currently working in the Columbus Metropolitan Library system.