Any one had a home birth with Anemia?

[Manicmummyhavinabiccy]

I'm 29 weeks gone in my 3rd pregnancy, have been passing out for around 2 mnths now and last week it got so bad my MW sent me to labour ward for monitoring, after loads of tests they told me i have anemia, hb levels 8.4, i had it in both prev'pregnancys but never felt as bad as this :( have been put on iron tablets (the joys of it all, black sick has been a new one this time around!)and trying everything to get my levels up, oj a plenty (think this little girl will have a Jorden esque orange glow with the amount i have been drinking, lol!)but following a very trumatic birth last time around was hoping to have a homebirth and had a very supportive MW and was actually looking forward to it.Has any one managed to get low levels up to normal in pregnancy before (I didnt last 2 times :() and should I just resign myself to the idea that i'll never get a much longed for homebirth and get used to giving birth in a hospital without curtains at the windows???

[thisisyesterday]

yes, i am always anaemic and have had 2 homebirths

have a google for Michel Odent, he wrote some interesting stuff about iron levels in pg. they naturally are lower because you have more blood in your system. and what is "acceptable" depends on what your iron levels are normally and how much they have dropped.

anyway, the only time I have ever NOT been anaemic is when I had cut dairy out of my diet. I think there could be a link because dairy inhibits the absorption of iron, so it might be worth cutting down a bit if you happen to eat lots?

also, spatone I found much better for upping iron levels as you absorb it better.

eat lots of humous, chick peas, dried apricots, green leafy veg... and make sure you don't have any dairy at the same time. wash it down with OJ, as you say

[FannyLogan]

Have a look at homebirth.org.UK Can I have a homebirth if..... section.

Mine was 10 or so and managed to get it up by mainlining spatone.

Fwiw, I would have had my hb regardless. It's up to you and as long as you have researched the risks.....

[pootros]

Haemoglobin usually rises by 1 unit per month on iron. so at 39 weeks you'd prob be about 9.4. the definition, in later preg, of anaemia is 10.5 so... keep trying but I'd make sure I'd discussed it in advance with my GP and midwife, so you know what the plan would be in case you lost blood during the actual delivery, bearing in mind anything that happened during previous deliveries...
PAtient.co.uk is good, to the point medical info.
good luck, and I hope it works out as you are planning!

[belgo]

I think you should concentrate on improing your hb levels.

But no, I would not have HB if my hb was low enough to cause me to pass out. Your hb level is obviously of concenr because it is effecting your safety - it is not normal to pass out (how many times has this happened)?

My hb dropped from 13 to 8 during my HB, due to pph, so I take the issue of bleeding incredibly seriously because I know how dangerous it can be. If my hb had been low to begin with, I would have needed emergency treatment that could not be provided at home.

You have plenty of time to improve your hb - vitamin C aids the absorption of iron but milk, tea and coffee all hinder it.

Floradix either in tablet or liquid form are a good natural source of iron.

I got my hb levels up within three weeks on iron and floradix.

[belgo]

pootros - 'Haemoglobin usually rises by 1 unit per month on iron. so at 39 weeks you'd prob be about 9.4.'

how did you calculate that?

the op is 29 weeks with a hb of 8.4.

[pootros]

Oh, OK, I see - I added up weeks wrong - it should be at (30 plus 4 = 34) 34 weeks, 9.4, at ( 34 plus 4 ) 38 weeks 10.4. THAnks!

The important thing isn't really the number though, it's how she is overall, and what the team can cope with.

[belgo]

yes 10.5 could still give symptoms of anaemia for some people but will be fine for others.

[pinkhebe]

I had levels similar to yours at 39 weeks and was recommended by the hospital not to have my hb. I went on an iron overdrive, ovaltine, chocolate and so many iron tablets I rattled!

Luckily ds was 7 days o/d, and on the morning I went into labour the midwife phoned with my new results which had risen to a level I could have my hb. ds arrived the next morning I think he was waiting {grin] .

Good luck

[Manicmummyhavinabiccy]

Thanks Ladies! feeling a little more positive that if I kee tying, it isnt for nothing :)
but does anyone know if i can take a suppliment (eg Floradix or spatone)along with the iron tablets the hosital gave me?