July 2014 - Thread 5: Blooming!

[lemonpoppyseed]

Thread 5 already! Sorry about the un-witty title. Am awake because baby is having a party in my belly...

Am sniggering at the gollum face. Maybe MN should give us one...

Lol zing - DP has been making jokes about the size of the baby and the state of my lady parts if I carry on eating chips all the time... he thinks he's funny

zing thanks for asking, and ickle. I just got back from the surgery and apparently my blood pressure is very low. Nothing prescribed but was told to go for blood and urine tests. Also to drink lots of fluids. Am not too surprised as I used to get dizzy after my periods and used to take iron tabs but stopped since pregnant. I did ask when I did bloods during 12 scan if I needed iron for anaemia but was told not necessary.
Anyway I feel a bit better. Will try and get the tests does tomorrow as am working from home.

good you've been seen.

and I think you should take extra iron.
I had been told before to not worry, because my iron level was within the right range.

so I looked.
it was 0.5 above the minimum, which was half of the maximum amount! no wonder I felt like boiled shit!

so I started taking Solgar's Gentle iron and within a week I felt better and after a few more I was really well.

especially as you have a history of anaemia I really think you should take some.

good luck with the tests!

I've been feeling feint too, I've had 2 episodes when stood up in Assembly first thing in the morning! Bp fine, iron on the low side but just gotta be careful and not overdo it! I'm tall so I think the blood just isn't reaching my head!

Howly

I get a headrush too when I bend or crouch down then stand up quickly - -I'm trying to remember to do the standing up bit slowly.

again, my advice is to take some iron tablets, the extra oxygen in the blood & cells does make a huge difference if your iron levels are low-ish.

an iron level closer to the top/max number will also come handy during and after birth - you do not want to be breathless.
also I haemorrhaged with DS1 and just narrowly missed needing blood transfusion, thanks to good iron level!

Howly I am the same. I am
Nearly 6' and have constant light headed moments. I warn you I was even worse when DS was born!

Oh dear lots of dizziness not good sorry zing for holiday confusion!

It's far too early, been awake for too long. Finally got a rest day at work which couldn't come any sooner! So much to do but knowing I can do it from the sofa helps!

We've also got confirmed case of scarlet fever in school- everything on nhs website seems fine but been asked to ring midwife just in case- appointment next wed anyway so sure can wait until then!

Got a pregnancy pillow off ebay and can not wait for it to be here...hoping for a good night's sleep.

ickle

no worries - it was funny, as I was trying to search my brain about what work needed to be done before I'm going where?

Morning all :) finally a better night but a lot to do today so hoping it results in more energy for me! Beany been kick-boxing champion for past 24hours after a v quiet few days-feeling a little internally battered!

zing thanks for being our group drugs coordinator :) I have a slightly tricky issue which also happened last time but was more manageable (as I didn't have a toddler to deal with!). I get quite constipated when pregnant, taking gaviscon for my heartburn also makes it worse. But the problem is that when I need to go (but can't or find it v difficult) I start feeling v light headed and yesterday practically passed out on the loo whilst going alas iron tablets would probably help my BP but make the constipation worse?! Wondering if I should ring my MW as this went on for weeks last time but I coped cos I could just rest or hide in the loo at work til I felt better-this time I have DS to look after!

Hope everyone has good Fridays-especially those trying to get stuff finished before going away, but everyone really so you can enjoy the weekend!

which ones were you taking blue?

my cousin has a lot of health problems, she takes liquid iron that comes in sachets and it's the only thing that doesn't make her constipated - I'll ask what it is.

but any low dose product should be ok - at the risk of sounding like a broken record I highly recommend Solgar Gentle Iron (tablets) or Floradix Multivitamin with Iron (liquid).
both excellent, fairly low dose so will build you up without a shock to the system and shouldn't make you constipated.

(I take the tablets, took me only a week to get from can't get up from sofa as being completely breathless to run up a flight of stairs and being ok)

and definitely ring midwife.

there's an illness called vagovasal syncope (sp?) - it can make people pass out when on the loo or other circumstances.

Thanks zing had a feeling you might have some ideas :) will give MW a ring and have a look out for low dose iron stuff

25wks tomorrow, anyone else still got tender boobs?
I was prescribed the ferrous furmanite or something, only been on them 3days, will they cause constipation? sorry tmi!

what is the dosage/day? (how many mg/tablet and how many tablets a day)

Wow all medical in here today! Can I join in the ask zing? So we've had 2 confirmed cases of scarlet fever at work, was told to call midwife but they are apparently 'thin on the ground today' have googled and doesn't seem to be too bad? Anyone any advice?

Also moral dilemma- working from home today as so much paper work to catch up with...except I left my charger at work so laptop now dead. Coming towards the end of what I could reasonably get done! Need to go in after lunch anyway should I go in earlier or not?!

ickle personally I would go in get your charger and leave just to be on the safe side and leave a message with the midwife to call you back.

I have a very active baby today!

To those worried about iron causing constipation - it can do, but doesn't necessarily. I was prescribed iron tabs in great quantities by my GP and all they did to me (sorry!) was turn the output black. I do however have a history of IBS although I'm fine now - maybe you'll be constipated but maybe not.

Also, if you want to move things along, 500mg magnesium tablets are great if you have two of them. In my experience. And magnesium is brilliant if you have restless, crampy or twitchy muscles AND it's safe in pregnancy.

Hi, I'd like to introduce myself.
I'm reading this forum since I know I'm pregnant, but I didn't post because I had a miscarriage in Sept.
I'm 24+4, expecting a baby girl, our EDD is 06/07
During my miscarriage I lost too much blood and I was prescribed 200mg iron, 3 times a day, I was told to take it with Orange Juice, I managed not to have constipation at all.

welcome mptg

so sorry about your MC , but massive congrats on this pg.
I'm guessing you must be anxious about this baby, which is totally normal, but I hope you don't stress yourself much

re constipation from iron - mine goes the other way

so no, not everyone gets constipated, but if you do and strain a lot it's best to switch to a lower dose to avoid ending up with piles as well!

re scarlet fever - I'm sorry, I can't remember.
you could call GP or 111 for advice. did DR. Google have no advice?

ah, forgot with the congrats!

Yes, we were really anxious. Every time I go to toilet at night, my DH asks if everything is ok :)
We are calmer now, almost in the 3rd trimester :)

Welcome mtpg so pleased to hear your starting to be able to relax this pregnancy hope all continues well. Also your due on my birthday!

Midwife never did call me :-( speaking to a gp on Monday about repeat prescription anyway so will ask him and see...

Welcome Mtpg sorry to hear you had a mc, but glad everything is going well now :)

I'm still taking pregnancy vits which have iron in them, think it is the 100% daily recommended amount

If anyone wants to join the Facebook group (it's a private group so wont show up on your profile) PM me your email address!!