Low iron at 30 weeks, iron transfusion

[CheeseandGherkins]

My 28 week bloods came back with iron of 8.5 so I started taking spatone and upping iron foods (vegetarian so can't eat red meat), I assumed they were going up but had another test done on Tuesday and it's now gone down to 7.7.

Consultant wants to see me tomorrow morning to discuss an iron transfusion. They said it's not a blood transfusion, just iron. I'm high risk already after we lost our daughter at 37 weeks last December to stillbirth and I'm on insulin for gestational diabetes. I'll be induced, most likely, just before 37 weeks if all goes well or a section if needs be.

Has anyone had an iron transfusion before? Oddly, I'm quite scared of needles and the thought of having an iv really terrifies me. I can get over that but I'm worried still and wondered what, if any, side effects there would be? Obviously I'll go over this tomorrow with my consultant but I wanted to know of any first hand experiences please.

I'm feeling quite breathless and dizzy too. I'm taking 2 lots of spatone a day (can't swallow tablets) and eating as much food as I can with iron in, I have to be careful with my blood sugars though too because of the GD.

I remember your heartbreaking experience. Pregnancy can be such an anxious time, esp if anything at all was negative with a previous one or even if it all went well first time you think something is bound to happen with a subesequent one. It seems things are well on track so far & this shouldn't be a reason for too much further worry.

Anyway, funnily enough I had an iron transfusion today, I'm 39wks. I felt crappy for months & always asked about my iron levels. The drs were concerned too as I had a massive PPH last time but somehow it got to this late stage & I ended up needing the transfusion when it probably won't take effect before babe is born - great....I'm veggie too & was taking supplements but then I got all despondent & lost interest in everything which I now think was a symptom of the anaemia & could barely look after myself.

The iron transfusion works on ferritin which is the body's iron stores (rather than the circulating iron in the blood which supplements work on). It will take a few days-a week or so to improve the circulating iron & make a difference. You may need more than one transfusion. The main side effect is an extremely rare allergic reaction but this is monitored by the first 30mins or so being a very low rate of infusion & you are constantly being checked. It takes a long time so a nice opportunity to get some rest!

The nurse took 30mins getting my canula in as I have rubbish veins. But it only hurt with the needle going through the skin. I had two IVs in each hand after DS's birth due to the PPH so I wasn't too worried about it. You can move about & shouldn't feel it once it is set up. The iron solution looks a bit like blood though! I plan on switching to a v expensive haeme iron supplement later on to make sure my levels are ok - sometimes your body just doesn't absorb the iron properly whatever you take. I felt crap for months after having the PPH despite having blood transfusions - at the time I just thought it was natural having had a new baby, so do make sure you are on the case. Good luck with it!

Personally I think I would force the tablets down (they are tiny and coated so slip down easily) rather than opt for a transfusion.

Eurochick I honestly can't take them, those tablets are huge to me, I had to take micro tablets for folic acid but tablets aren't an option now anyway because they think it's too low to bring up in time.

idlevice thanks, that's reassuring. I've had an iv before but only when I was induced last time and they sent the anaesthetist to talk me into it as I need iv anti biotics, he used a numbing spray on me first and did it so fast that he had blood everywhere! I think it was the only way it was going to happen though. I hate all things medical, ironically. I'm really squeamish too so they covered the site (on the forearm) up with a bandage too. I cope with labour relatively well though surprisingly!