How are iron levels tested for?

[Superslinger]

Heard a lot of people have low iron levels in third tri? Just worrying that I've never been tested, but how do they test? I do a wee sample every time I go to midwife, but does iron come under this, or do you have a separate blood test or something? I'm particularly worried as I'm a veggie so probably more likely to be affected.

Also, if you do have low iron untreated is it just you that's affected or can it harm baby?!

37w

A blood test

Sorry - its you who is treated not the baby

Have you had any blood tests during the pregnancy? Iron is tested with every blood sample you give, even if testing for something unrelated.

Are you still taking Pregnacare or a vitamin supplement? Those give you plenty of iron!

I did have a blood test about something else (for something I can't remember the name of but midwife said should have been tested for early on but seemed to have been missed) a couple of weeks ago, so hopefully it would have been covered in that then? I am also still on Pregnacare, so hopefully ok. Just worried baby could be being damaged if I'm low but don't know I'm low IYSWIM.

I'm sure they would have checked your iron levels - my iron levels were always fine but after developing signs of pre-eclampsia I had bloods taken every week, iron was tested routinely too. You could call the hospital or your midwife to check? Congratulations by the way!

Thanks Tiddly

I had bloods taken at 12 week scan and also at 28 week antenatal appointment to check for iron as well as other things.