Short of Iron

[KoalaFace]

I've received a letter from the Antenatal Clinic to say I'm short of Iron and have to take 2 Iron tablets a day.

It doesn't say anything about what type of Iron tablets to get though. Can I just pick up any old box of tablets?

Can you not get a prescription? I don't think you should have to pay for them! I was given iron tablets after birth and they were ferrous sulphate I think...
...be warned, they give you black poo

I had the same but the letter also said to pop in to the antenatal clinic and they would be given to me!

Just to echo you should be given a prescription. I'd give your midwife a GP a call and see if you can get one. Once you do start taking them, I would suggest you take them with a small glass of orange juice as orange juice helps your body absorb iron.

Thanks everyone I've spoken to the GP and they've said I should be able to get them through the prescription line. I'm on hold now.

They said to pop over with my letter and they'll give me the tablets. Which I will take with orange juice and await black poo!

Also try and take on a full stomach to avoid feeling sick. Loads of people stop taking them because of nausea but I have never had it if I have taken the tablets after food

But if you find iron tablets give you constipation or loose stools, you could try Spatone (in orange juice).

Black poo, orange juice, full stomach, maybe Spatone. Got it

I've been feeling exhausted lately. Could this be down to low Iron? Will I feel better when taking tablets?

I second getting Spatone, much kinder on your tummy, no constipation, no black poo easier to digest and will give you more iron. I still take them every now and again because I am prone to anaemia. Got some today and there is a new type out that is apple flavour with extra vitamin C to increase absorption. Very nice.

Sorry forgot, yes if you are feeling very tired this is probably why.

I found taking on empty stomach better. Try full stomach first.

Up your fibre intake asap to avoid constipation. And lots of water.

After 5weeks of taking it religiously my levels are up and I feel so much better. Didn't realise how tiered I felt.

Best of luck.

Oh I'm looking forward to feeling better then! Thought it was just the pregnancy and looking after DS.

I will ask about Spatone when I speak to them later.

Another advocate of Spatone. Be warned my GP had never heard of it and in my last pregnancy just said 'no, take the ferrous sulphate' (which I didn't as it hadn't agreed with me in the past) but my midwife was a huge fan of Spatone as it's so easy on the stomach, non constipating and works really quickly (take two sachets instead of one until your iron count goes up).

I've taken it in this pregnancy too and felt so much better (more energy, less like my legs were made of lead!) in about a week.

If they don't suit, you can get ferrous fumarate tablets instead, OTC. They are a bit gentler. Called Fersaday.

Spatone or ferrous fumarate instead of ferrous sulphate, definitely.
Plus red meat, orange juice, dark green leafy veg etc.
NOT liver (as I'm sure you know).

Not only will you feel better in yourself, but it's really important for your baby that you have good iron levels, as it will eventually affect the baby's iron levels too (they steal yours first though, the foetus always gets the best of everything!)

Orange juice is good but avoid taking them with milk, as that inhibits iron absorbtion.

To prevent constipation my midwife told me not to use the lactulose the hospital gave me, instead she recommended linseeds on my cereal.
For about six weeks post birth my breakfast was cereal with linseeds, iron tablets, fenugreek and a glass of oj. And toast and an apple ( I blame the breastfeeding!)