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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Lost 1 litre of blood, how long until I start feeling normal again?

31 replies

mypurple · 08/07/2022 20:50

I gave birth on Monday 04/07/22 and lost a litre of blood. I had an iron transfusion 2 days ago which I thought helped but I'm home today and feeling so breathless and weak. I suspect it's to do with my low blood volume or iron levels.

Did anyone else lose a litre of blood during delivery and how did your recovery feel like? What were your symptoms and how long until you felt back to normal again?

OP posts:
ItsSnowJokes · 08/07/2022 20:54

I lost 6.5 pints of blood after having a PPH. I had 2 blood transfusions and it took a good 6 months before I felt OK again.

I had monthly blood tests to check my haemoglobin levels and was on iron tablets and a tonic thing for 6 months. I was exhausted, weak and just very tired all the time.

It does lift though, just a struggle when you have a little human to look after as well!

Congrats on the new baby xxx

Kabuki · 09/07/2022 01:38

Hi

Congratulations on the baby.

I had a similar PPH where I lost 2.1L and had a blood transfusion and iron transfusion. I was weak for about a month but seemed to recover very quickly thereafter (from memory - as it was a few years ago). Maybe it is because I got a blood transfusion.

it is early days. You’ve just given birth and you are looking after a newborn. I hope you get your energy levels back soon. Good luck xxx

DinosaursEatMan · 09/07/2022 01:46

I had a PPH and refused a transfusion (I know…). Took liquid iron for ages but didn’t feel remotely human for ten months, the weakness was awful. I wouldn’t recommend doing it this way.

Congrats on your baby and hope you have a swift recovery.

Weathergirl1 · 09/07/2022 17:26

Hi OP.
I lost 750ml during my ELCS and didn't have an iron transfusion but did go onto iron tablets when I got home (day 4 or 5). First couple of weeks I would need a nap of I'd done anything like go fora short walk out to get a coffee etc. I was definitely feeling better after 4 weeks though because I was able to turn my legs over on the bike for 10' and I'd not felt like doing that before then.

Yodaisawally · 09/07/2022 17:44

Did you have a blood transfusion? I lost an insane amount of blood and my levels were so low, it was a long time ago now so I can't remember exactly.

I had 4 units transfused and was fine the next day.

Upsideandundergarments · 09/07/2022 18:25

I think it depends. I had family around to help with the baby, was able to rest, take iron supplements and eat iron rich foods so it was a few weeks but not too bad. In the early days I felt very weak, dizzy everytime I ate no matter the meal. I think it's because blood was redirected to digestion? Either way I factored in that I would feel my worst just after eating so always made sure someone was on hand to take the baby for that bit. Hope that's possible for you and you feel better soon!

ofwarren · 09/07/2022 18:26

About 4-6 weeks for me on iron tablets

Natsku · 09/07/2022 18:35

I think it was around a litre that I lost when my youngest was born, got two bags of blood and an iron transfusion a week later and felt a fair bit better after that. I would think that an iron transfusion alone might not have been enough for you, I would ask for a blood test to see what your levels are now in case you still need blood, or another iron transfusion.

jenniferjane21 · 09/07/2022 18:38

Congratulations on your baby.

I lost nearly 2 litres of blood giving birth 17 years ago and a blood transfusion was not even suggested 🙄

I did have iron tablets but I felt weak, tired and dizzy for at least a month and not really right for about 6 months. Sorry! No family support. Makes me so cross how women are sent home with a newborn when they are in no fit state to look after them.

Makinglists · 09/07/2022 18:44

Lost just under a litre - I was borderline needing a transfusion. After a month of iron pills and then some spatone I started to feel more human.

Doorhandleghost · 09/07/2022 18:47

I lost a lot of blood, I was offered transfusion or iron tablets, they said it would take a looong time if I went for the iron option. Had 2 transfusions in the end.

Ballcactus · 09/07/2022 18:49

I lost 2.5L and wasn’t offered a transfusion either. Recovery was long, I was white as a sheet and very weak for 3 months with a gradual increase after that

Hugasauras · 09/07/2022 18:51

I lost a litre with my recent ELCS and no one even mentioned iron tablets let alone anything else! I had more bleeding than they expected they said but thankfully I didn't really feel the effects of it. Staying hydrated helped I think. I was super thirsty.

MrsHaroldRobbins · 09/07/2022 18:52

I lost several litres and had two blood transfusions. I was very weak and breathless for about two weeks and then I started to feel better. It wasn't fun at the time especially coupled with the lack of sleep! Hope you recover very soon, OP. Enjoy your new baby.

Original poster
mypurple · 09/07/2022 21:03

Yodaisawally · 09/07/2022 17:44

Did you have a blood transfusion? I lost an insane amount of blood and my levels were so low, it was a long time ago now so I can't remember exactly.

I had 4 units transfused and was fine the next day.

No I didn't have a blood transfusion but really want one as I think it might help.

I also have an infection, and for the last 2 days my temperatures been spiking so they're suspecting my fatigue and weakness is to do with that 🤷🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
Original poster
mypurple · 09/07/2022 21:06

Natsku · 09/07/2022 18:35

I think it was around a litre that I lost when my youngest was born, got two bags of blood and an iron transfusion a week later and felt a fair bit better after that. I would think that an iron transfusion alone might not have been enough for you, I would ask for a blood test to see what your levels are now in case you still need blood, or another iron transfusion.

Currently sitting in hospital now and they've taken my bloods to measure those exact things.

Just have to wait until morning to see what the doctors make of the results ... I do hope they offer me a blood transfusion! 😣

OP posts:
Original poster
mypurple · 09/07/2022 21:08

jenniferjane21 · 09/07/2022 18:38

Congratulations on your baby.

I lost nearly 2 litres of blood giving birth 17 years ago and a blood transfusion was not even suggested 🙄

I did have iron tablets but I felt weak, tired and dizzy for at least a month and not really right for about 6 months. Sorry! No family support. Makes me so cross how women are sent home with a newborn when they are in no fit state to look after them.

Did you also feel short of breath? That's my main symptom I'm struggling with, then weakness.

OP posts:
Titsflyingsouth · 09/07/2022 21:11

Congrats Op! Hope your little one is doing well.

I lost 0.9 of a litre, wasn't quite enough to qualify for a transfusion and, as a result, felt weak as a kitten. I was on strong iron tablets but it still took me about 3-4 weeks to start to bounce back. (Sleep deprivation probably didn't help.)

Be gentle on yourself. Your body has been through a lot xx

Natsku · 09/07/2022 23:49

mypurple · 09/07/2022 21:06

Currently sitting in hospital now and they've taken my bloods to measure those exact things.

Just have to wait until morning to see what the doctors make of the results ... I do hope they offer me a blood transfusion! 😣

Show quote history

The infection will certainly make your exhaustion even worse so even if they don't give you a transfusion (though fingers crossed they do), hopefully getting the infection treated will help you feel a bit stronger. Are you remembering to take your iron supplements separately from anything with dairy in and not drinking tea within a couple of hours of taking them?

bumblenbean · 10/07/2022 00:11

Sounds tough OP, especially the breathlessness :(

i lost 2.9 litres (!) from a PPH and had 2 transfusions. I felt bloody awful for a few days, could barely stay awake, but I then perked up. But when they checked, my iron levels were still too low so they tried giving me an iron infusion and I had a really bizarre reaction to it - came over all faint and got weird stomach cramps (god knows why!) - so had to abort that option!

i didn’t feel quite right for a couple of weeks but after taking iron tablets for a short time I was back to normal. I hated the tablets as they made everything taste weirdly metallic.

I’m sure you will get back your strength, it just takes a bit of time and it’s hard when you’re knackered from being up with baby etc too.

I would def ask your GP about the breathlessness though if the test you’re having aren’t conclusive.

Chanel05 · 11/07/2022 12:25

I lost 2.5L during my PPH and had a transfusion. I think it took a good 2 months to feel like myself.

greenerfingers · 13/07/2022 19:49

I lost 2litres, no transfusion but took a year to feel better.

tealandteal · 13/07/2022 19:55

I lost a litre and had no transfusion. It was about a month before the breathlessness went, tiredness who knows as DS hated sleep.

H1Drangea · 13/07/2022 19:56

I had a PPH , don’t know how much blood I lost ( but the midwife and obstetrician were covered in it )
I had 3 bags transfused , heavy duty iron tablets and was better in about a month
I can still remember how dreadful I felt and DS is 27 now
congratulations 💐

Underscore21 · 13/07/2022 20:02

It can take up to a fortnight to feel any benefit from an iron transfusion OP. FlowersCongratulations