Anaemia

[Peasandyoghurt]

I'm currently 13 weeks, and was diagnosed last week with anaemia (embarrassingly when at local a&e because panicking over bad abdominal pains, which I was worried was 'something going wrong') Anyway, doctor did blood tests and said everything looked fine except a bit anaemic, and sent me on my way.

I thought nothing of the anaemia thing (too obsessed with what the pain was and assumed if it was a problem he would have suggested treatment) until now and I've just looked it up in pregnancy book which says it can be serious in pregnancy, causing problems in baby brain development among other things?!!!!

Has anybody else had anaemia in pregnancy and been told no need to do anything about it? And if so has that been ok/ no ill effects on baby?! I also read in book that it can be caused by low iron, B12 or folic acid. I'm taking Pregnacare religiously which has all of these in, but how am I to know WHICH is causing my particular anaemia and therefore what to try and up through diet? I was actually diagnosed with low B12 and low folic acid last summer (before pregnant) and was given shots and tablets respectively. I raised this with a new GP (moved area) when I became pregnant and he tested my blood and the GP I spoke to to discuss results was basically a bit of a pig who laughed in my face for ever having had shots/ pills to make up for previous deficiency, basically saying whoever prescribed them was an idiot and impossible to say what's too low. He did however say my results had come back fine.

Just unsure what to do now. Is it ok to be a bit anaemic and just hope it rectifies itself whilst pregnant or should I be 'doing something'?!

Nobody?! :( In case anybody does manage to get past the boringness of the topic (I know it's boring!) an additional, but (maybe?) related thing I'm worried about is that for the last few weeks I've had a strange 'awareness' of my heartbeat. It doesn't seem to be going particularly fast or slow or anything, but I can feel it throbbing quite intensely - all over my chest and in my arms mostly - feels like really hard throbbing all over - to the extent I keep looking down thinking I'll be able to see it throbbing through my skin! Anyway, when I looked up anaemia on google one of the symptoms that came up was 'awareness of heartbeat' though this was listed as 'rare'.

Basically, does anybody know of any reason I might be able to feel heartbeat like this that is related to anything other than anaemia? If not do you think as it's listed as a 'rare' symptom that means it likely happens only when it's really bad? I know I sound like I'm overreacting, and I'm sure I am, but I'm just so scared of something going wrong half the time I don't know what to do with myself for the constant worry! :(

If they did your bloods and said you're only 'a bit' anaemic then I'm sure there's nothing to worry about, especially if you're taking an iron supplement too. Anaemia is very common in pregnancy, I was anaemic with both of mine and put on iron tablets by the midwife which did horrendous things to my digestive system. Both pregnancies turned out just fine, I'm sure you have nothing to worry about.

I really would stop googling symptoms, you can drive yourself mad that way, if you are very concerned speak to your midwife or GP

Peas take a deep breath! I was diagnosed with anemia two weeks ago. Well technically I'm borderline. I am 31 weeks. I am vegetarian and have been since the age of twelve. Mine is caused by pregnancy. The consultant has prescribed me iron supplements which are to be taken with folic acid and vitamin c. Call your GP and ask for a referral to dietition and possibly supplements.

Anaemia in pregnancy is really common and you would have to be really anaemic to cause any problems. I was anaemic and it made my bp quite low although usually it seems to cause breathlessness and tiredness. In the olden days they used to routinely make pg woman take iron tablets to prevent it- that's how common it is.
You need to start taking iron tablets there isn't enough in the pregnacare- the gp or midwife will prescribe them for you but they are cheap to buy. They are usually Ferrous Sulphate but these can be hard on some peoples digestion and you can get Ferrous Fumerate(sp?). There is also spatone which consists of sachets to put in juice. It takes usually 2 weeks for the iron levels to come up so you should start now. Take them with fruit juice as it helps the absorption. Your midwife will keep a check on your iron levels throughout pregnancy.
Stop googling.

I was told this in my third pregnancy - I was told by a midwife that I was a bit anaemic, but that since I had such a good diet I should just eat more. Worst medical advice I have ever been given - my iron levels dropped like a rock later in pregnancy and my iron stores have been on the low side ever since (at over 2 years later). The body can only absorb so much iron per day, the rest is excreted, so it can take a long time to build iron levels back up if it gets depleted.

Baby was fine, but I ended up ragged, very ill, and with a very bad PPH. I ended up with a transfusion (well, three) and was surprised at how amazingly well I felt just a day after the birth, almost bouncing with so much energy. The dragging effect of anaemia can be so subtle and slow (and easy to just blame on being pregnant) that you get be in quite a bad state and still not be fully aware of it. It's a very overlooked problem.

Yes, anaemia is very common in pregnancy, especially in third trimester I think. I've recently been diagnosed and have been taking spatone, which is a gentle iron supplement you can get from boots or online. It's really helped as I've been feeling much better. Anaemia is unlikely to cause baby any problems but it can make you feel very tired, dizzy and breathless. Also it may make you feel more anxious and depressed. Hope you feel better soon.

i would avoid iron tablets at all costs. they say that if not prescribed by doctor can do more damage than good. I woud would advise you add iron through your diet. I am vegan and so everyone always thinks I am low in iron but in fact is the opposite. Look to add iron in most meals. so for example if i am having spagetti in the sauce i will add big handfuls of watercress and spinach which melts down and and you cant taste it. Also when having dinner I have been doubling up on my leafy/green veg portions. so will have like tacos and then big portion of broccolio AND say spinich. I always eat leafy greens with vit c as this will double the amount of iron your body absorbs. so with orange juice or if feeling healthy tofu. I have not had any piles or constipation through this pregnancy and my iron levels have been good. from other peoples comments it seems that most people who take iron in tablets end up consipated which leads to piles. Any doctor will tell you that it's better to get your iron through diet than pills.