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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Iron infusion this week - anyone had one?

13 replies

wobblyweeble82 · 26/03/2011 19:52

I'm 32 weeks and have had a shoddy old time of pregnancy this time round. The long and short of it is I've been on iron tablets since January and my iron is STILL falling (9.8hb on Friday). I'm being admitted next week to have an iron infusion and haven't a clue what to expect. My midwife just kept going on about contraindications - not what you want to hear. Anybody had one? Just the one or more needed? Not a happy chappy, me!

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Crawling · 26/03/2011 19:57

I has iron levels lower than 5 and had numerous, they were fine let ne feel much better quickly and far better than the tablets, no ill effects.

Original poster

wobblyweeble82 · 26/03/2011 20:33

No side effects then? I'm on tablets for my heart as well so wondering whether midwife was referring to them. Was it just a day thing?

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mumatron · 26/03/2011 20:38

my iron was 5 in my last pg. i had a cosmafer around 36 weeks and it was fine.

i had to stay in the hospital from about 8am to 6pm. was monitored a few times. don't think it always takes this long though, i have to have an anaesthetist to put in a canula due to dodgy veins.

2 weeks later my iron was up to 8, 40 weeks it was 11 and 42 weeks it was 15 iirc.

defo worth it!

Crawling · 27/03/2011 08:28

No side effects my iron levels went up really quick I had to stay in but that was because my iron was lower than 5 and I couldnt get up without feinting.

Original poster

wobblyweeble82 · 27/03/2011 09:22

Ooh well that's reassuring then, thanks folks. I've been in and out of hosp all prgnancy - I can do a day case, easy peasy :) Were you given any reason why your iron kept dropping, despite taking supplements? I'm thinking I'm just really rather crap at growing babies. I have no health issues whatsoever in my normal state ... Win some, lose some!

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Crawling · 27/03/2011 09:28

I am anemic when not pg and struggle to maintain my iron levels so they are likely to drop however thanks to bf and no periods I was able to have DC2 with very little iron problems .

Roopachoo · 27/03/2011 18:40

I'm surprised they're doing it at 9.8. My count was 8.5 at 22 weeks and the consultant said they wouldn't do infusions until I was at 7... but I guess as you're so much further on you need to get your levels up quickly before your due date.

I can't say what my levels are now but I found that the measly 5mg iron dosage in spatone was far more effective than the 3 x 200mg pills I was taking everyday. My GP said you can only absorb about 5mg a day and the pills are notoriously hard to take up. One mnetter recommended the spatone and reported a whole point increase after just one week of 3 sachets a day. Worth a try. Some have bad reactions to the infusions.

Original poster

wobblyweeble82 · 27/03/2011 20:16

What are the reactions roopachoo? I think they're giving it me as I've got a lot going on with my heart this time round. I can't afford to be anaemic as well, that kind of thing. I've been admitted five times so far and even ended up in resus in A&E last time so am taking all manner of tablets to keep my heart under control. The tablets open up my blood vessels and that means I'm more susceptible to bleeding, so I need as good a pegging as possible so to speak. Bit crap really! I've looked at the spatone but it's just so expensive and not available on prescription here. Still, worth a shot I figure.

Incidentally, did any of you bf? I plan to bf DD when she arrives (did so with DS) but am now slightly concerned that she won't get enough iron from me? Thoughts on that? Thanks all for input - good to know I'm not alone on this one :)

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Roopachoo · 27/03/2011 20:31

So sorry to hear you're having a rough time of it wobbly. I've read some people have varying allergic reactions to it- but this might be rare.

Boots have a special on the spatone- 3 for 2 for a pack of 28 (1 month) so that works out to £5 for a pack- though if you want to try and get your levels up in a bid to try and not have to have the infusions, I'd take 3 sachets spread across the day. I have it with half a glass of orange juice. So important not to take within a couple of hours of tea (including decaff- or anything with tannins) or dairy (any calcium products). Good luck!

Original poster

wobblyweeble82 · 27/03/2011 20:43

Thanks for the Boots tip - I might send DH :) I'm hopng I won't have to be on iron for too long after she's born. Live in hope and all that! Didn't have a clue about the tea thing - knew about the dairy issue, but not tea, and I'm quite the tea drinker at the mo (decaff as on strict no caffeine diet). Do you think that includes herbal/mint teas? Why has nobody told me this before?!

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EldonAve · 27/03/2011 20:46

I've had them before
took ages but no issues
take a book!

Original poster

wobblyweeble82 · 27/03/2011 20:49

Good tip, ta

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Roopachoo · 27/03/2011 21:05

herbal/mint teas are fine

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