Anaemia..and...'morning' sickness..and horrible heartburn at 26 weeks. Help!

[somewherewest]

After several weeks of increasing exhaustion I've just been told I have low iron levels (over the phone as I'm abroad. I have to see my GP when I get home). Problem is I still have constant nausea and awful heartburn, so I have a long list of foods I can't face, including almost all the ones rich in iron or vitamin C - the thought of red meat just makes me sick . And I'm chugging bloody antacids, which are meant to inhibit iron absorption. Any tips? I'm flat out with exhaustion but dreading anything that makes the nausea worse.

Get your bp checked, these are symptoms of pre eclampsia.

Somewherewest I was exactly the same, had low iron levels picked up at 28 weeks and have been vomiting all through my pregnancy - every day until 23 weeks and intermittently since (a couple of times a week, and sometimes, bonus! at night ) I'm now 30 + 5.

My obstetrician prescribed me with iron supplements (ferrograd which is 125mg a day I think) and within a week I felt SO much better. Have also made a conscious effort to up my red meat instake. I can't face a steak but have been able to get down some lamb or venison once or twice a week. It really has made all the difference.

I've been taking my iron supplements at lunch/mid afternoon as that's when I'm not likely to be eating dairy (morning milky coffee) or sculling gaviscon (evening heartburn). Have also had to accept that I need to eat smaller meals in the evening and limit my chocolate intake or the heartburn is unbearable. Pregnancy is a barrel of laughs isn't it...

Spatone sachets are great for boosting iron levels.

I was diagnose with anaemia at 28 weeks - I thought I was just exhausted because it was the third trimester. I'm currently on iron tablets (though these don't agree with everyone), but also trying Floradix which my midwife suggested, which is a more natural liquid supplement. My sister recommended that if the iron tablets don't suit to ask for liquid ferrous fumarate (she has to take iron supplements all the time) she has one called Galfer syrup but I think there are other brands.