Anemia in pregnancy? Second trimester

[TenForward82]

Hi ladies,

I posted yesterday about my symptoms (headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, tiredness, nausea) and how I had had an emergency scan and everything looked fine. However they didn't do a blood test and, having had another "episode" today which I'm finding hard to cope with (emotionally) I'm wondering if my symptoms could be anemia?

I can be feeling relatively fine then suddenly dip (mostly in the afternoons) and just crash. Is that similar to anyone's experiences of anemia in pregnancy, or do you generally feel crap all the time?

Any insight appreciated!
xx

Sounds like anaemia to me, I had this in my second trimester my doctor put me on ferrous sulphate tablets I was always tired and had no energy but I just put it down to being pregnant but my blood test came back I was anemic. I would definitely ask for a blood test if I was you. Hope this helps and good luck xx

I think you need a blood test hun. My bloods were fine at booking in but trimester two I started feeling really tired, dizzy, heart palpitations, breathlessness so went to GP. Initially she cheekily said it was because I was less active so breathless easier! But must have had a change of heart overnight as the surgery phoned me to go in for a test and yes I was anaemic. Been on ferrous sulphate ever since and will be until the end. Hope you get answers and treatment soon x

I've been breathless on mild exertion but (like your GP!) I figured it was because I wasn't doing as much. Were you breathless for no reason, or only when (for example) climbing stairs?

I feel similar with the being ok then crashing, I was wondering if I had anemia too. Hope you get it sorted.

Alt, did the tablets make nausea worse?

Juno, make sure you get checked too!

I've just text the doctor I saw on Friday to ask his opinion and who I should contact on Monday, but now feel like I've overstepped my bounds. He said text if I feel worse but now feel like a pillock

Walking up one flight of stairs to my place of work made me heart pound and stars jump before my eyes! Now at 28 weeks and 8 weeks of iron tablets I can do the stairs no problem, sometimes at speed

Wow :) Will try to get a blood test early next week, just to see. Feel like a drama queen.

It's always better to check, there is not only you to think about :-) let me know how you get on? Curious to know if you are anaemic now

What were your iron levels at booking in? Mine were low but no one called me about it, and they didn't point it out at my appt after a scan, but I checked myself as I was suspecting it. Only at my 16w appt MW pointed it out, but I already started taking ferrous sulphate myself.

Good point, carrotpuff, will check my blood report.

Hmm, not clear from my paperwork, not sure what value to look for ...

It's the Hb.

Bloods at booking in mean nothing in my opinion as mine was a healthy 135 hb at 9 weeks and then 108 hb at the next test where they declared me anaemic.

Anemia is hb of 10.8 (sometimes written as 108) or lower, but they will also compare against your 'normal' level at booking appt. They weren't want to seea drop of more than two.

I was 13.5 at booking, dropped to 10.9 at the 28w bloods which explained my struggling with stairs, legs like jelly from even minor exertion, dizzy spells and breathlessness.

I went to my gp and was put on ferrous gluconate and after a month felt much much better.

I didn't suffer the constipation issues or nausea as side effects, so that's not inevitable.

Thanks everyone. Not sure I'm looking at the right value so will disregard for now. chops, my DH said the same thing so I might as well just wait for the blood test (tomorrow).

Good to know bad side effects aren't inevitable. But first step is finding out what's wrong! If anything - I'll feel a right prat if they say it's just normal pregnancy issues, woman up.