Would start taking the iron tablets now?

[bytheMoonlight]

I am almost 32 weeks and last time I had a blood test my iron levels were 11 instead of 11.5.

I was prescribed some iron tablets but didn't bother taking them as I know they can leave you constipated.

But I am feeling absolutely exhausted, would you take the tablets?

i suffered horrendous constipation early pregnancy and was terrified to say the least when gp told me i needed to take iron tablets for 3 months. now i know this sounds odd and not at all the norm but i have now been free of constipation for 6 months. my diet hasnt changed the only thing different is the iron tablets. try not to worry, give them ago and if you're still worried maybe take them followed with a glass of fybregel or something

It's up to you - I remember taking the prescribed ones once and they were awful.

What about Spatone - which you can take with orange juice? Or even Floradix? Although is that not as effective as the ones from the doctor? Why don't you call your midwife and ask?

I would take something though, as it's important to keep your iron levels up.

I would give spatone a go - 11 is not hugely low.

my iron levels have gone down to 9.0 with this pg despite spatone, so I have started taking the iron tablets. I did explain to my GP that I was unable to tolerate ferrous sulphate last time. She prescribed ferrous fumerate, which I have found tolerable enough to continue with.

I would take the tablets, even though your iron levels aren't terribly low. They could get even lower if you don't take something now. My levels went down to below 9 because my mw wouldn't prescribe the tablets and kept telling me to take the Spatone, which did nothing. I have now been on ferrous fumerate (3 times a day) for about 6 weeks and my iron levels are now at 9.8 so going up steadily (am nearly 38 weeks preg). Def take your tablets, i haven't been constipated at all (if anything, the opposite!).
Good luck!

I have been taking my tablets with a glass of prune juice. Hate the taste, but it works wonders!