To be so worried about my iron levels whilst pregnant?

[Writerwannabe83]

I'm currently 33 weeks pregnant and anaemic which I have been since my week 12 Booking bloods. My level then was 10.2 which MW said wasn't too bad but it then dropped to 9.6 within 4 weeks and despite being on Iron tablets for about ten weeks now my level, when last checked three weeks ago, was still 9.8.

I've had my levels checked about 4 times since my 12 week bloods and my iron level has always been between 9.4 to 9.8.

At the end of April I was started on three iron tablets a day but the side effects were awful so I reduced down to two tablets a day which my GP and MW were happy with.

However, two weeks ago my Cardiologist has said that as my iron levels are still so low that I've got to back on the three tablets a day and just put up with the side effects. She has said that if by 35 weeks pregnant my levels aren't 11.2 at a minimum I will have to have an intravenous infusion of iron. She practically put the fear of God into me about that!

So I've got more blood tests in two weeks and I'm doing EVERYTHING I can to try and increase my iron levels in terms of my diet as well as put up with the side effects of the tablets.

Has anyone else been persistently anaemic during pregnancy and had to have an infusion?

My Cardiologist has made me feel so nervous about it all

I've just looked at the information leaflet and it contradicts what various medical professionals have told me in terms of how to take it and what foods help/hinder absorption.

It also says not to lie down for 30 minutes after taking a tablet which is a bit annoying as I've been taking my last dose immediately before getting into bed.

In reply to your earlier question you can't od on iron, you can only absorb a small amount. that's why being anaemic sucks big time. Get some floradix and take it along side the iron tablets which are anyway different forms of iron

You can ask for iron to be prescribed in a liquid form, the brand name is sytron. It is muchx more easily absorbed and does not cause digestive issues. It isn't normally prescribed for adults but ask your gp to look it up in the bnf. I requested it when anaemic during my last pregnancy. I also take and continue to take spatone which I bid helps a lot. I'm sure you are aware of this but eat iron rich goods with foods containing vitamin c and containing no dairy (no dairy for a couple of hours on either side ideally).