Treating anaemia post-birth

[LBOCS2]

Three weeks ago I had DD2, following which I had a large bleed (lost 1500ml) and had to go under GA for a removal of retained membrane and stay in hospital for a few days.

I managed to get away without a transfusion (just!) but my HB level was 72 when they released me and it was only because I was asymptomatic that they let me go with iron tablets. It was all fine for the first week, and I was taking my three iron tablets a day but since coming off the antibiotics I was on, the iron tablets are really really upsetting my stomach - terrible trapped wind, stomach pain and diarrhoea. I stopped taking them and have felt fine since (stomach wise!)

I spoke to the pharmacist about finding something gentler for my stomach but they were extremely unhelpful and it's quite a wait to see my GP. I wouldn't mind, but I've just started to get a bit dizzy on standing and I don't want to risk feeling worse.

Is a liquid supplement the equivalent of taking a tablet? And are any better than the others?

[phoolani]

I use spatone and I don't have any problems. I give it to dd (10), too, and she's also fine with it www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/spatone-original-natural-iron-supplement-60080131?skuid=080131&istCompanyId=8b7eb14d-bd9c-4f8a-aec2-4349bbabb5a0&istItemId=irrirlwmt&istBid=tztx&&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=CIf0__jXyswCFYTGGwod_S0Jjg

[Hawkmoth]

I use ferrous fumarate capsules and they don't upset my stomach. You can get them on prescription or buy them at the chemist.

[LBOCS2]

Thanks phoo. The only thing is, is spatone strong enough to boost levels? I know it's good for maintenance but I was on 200mg of ferrous sulphate 3x a day - which is presumably quite a lot! I get the impression I would have to drink a lot of spatone to get the same effect!

[Dachshund]

When I was on a mission to up my iron before DD was born I was taking 2 X Spatone a day and also Feroglobin, which is another liquid iron supplement

[Kennington]

I found by lowering the dose of iron but by whacking up the amount of vitamin c (to help absorb) and vit b and increasing red meat in diet helped massively. Hb increased quickly after about 4 weeks.
Be aware I felt horrible with anaemia after birth and thought it was post natal depression for a couple of weeks until my iron increased and I felt human again.

[doleritedinosaur]

I was supposed to be on 3 a day but went down to one as I had the same issues but I took it with orange juice as vitamin C helps with intake of Iron.

Also dairy/calcium makes iron harder to be absorbed so didn't have a cup of tea for several hours after.

I try to take it in food instead spinach/ dark leafy veg & raisins & apricots are high in them too.
So are a lot of red meats. My doctor at the 6 week check was happy with that.