Became anemic

[Silvermockingbird]

Just wondering if anyone else has become anemic during pregnancy? At 12 ish weeks the iron levels were normal and haven't had another blood test until 2 weeks ago, I'm 33 weeks now and been prescribed folic acid (1 per day) and ferrous sulfate (3 per day)

Having problems with the ferrous sulfate as you have to take it on a completely empty stomach (no food or drink 1 hour prior, or 2 hours after taking) as aparantly if it comes into contact with food your body will only absorb around 60% of the tablet..

Now I don't know about anyone else but having to go 3 hours without food or drinks for 3 hours this late in pregnancy is a struggle. But 3 times a day.. That's 9 hours with no no food and having to time it right is a nightmare! So I've been taking it at night, set an alarm for 1am, 4am and 7 am and not eating till 9 earliest. Now I'm reading you aren't supposed to lie down at least 15 mins after taking it, and have to drink at least 8oz of water with the tablet!? This seems impossible. Any suggestions? Midwife suggested lowering dose to just 2 per day but will take longer for iron levels to get back up. They are extremely low atm been finding it hard to breathe and allsorts. Really trying to get them back up before the bubs is born but it's a race against time!

I've never heard of the absorption issues other than milk. Take 1 before bed. 1 mid morning and mid afternoon and avoid milk. Have plenty of orange juice and water.

I was given high dose iron tablets post birth and only told to take with orange juice to aid absorbtion. I took mine first thing in morning and before bed so maybe try that with a third before lunch?

I had very low iron levels and the symptoms you describe. I looked at the dosage and decided that it was so high anyway that it wasn't worth worrying about absorption issues. I take one after breakfast and one before bed. Most of my symptoms were gone within a fortnight. I think you'll make yourself feel worse by not eating than you will by taking a couple more days to recover from the anemia.

Hi. I'm 30 weeks and got put on iron tablets last week due to anaemia too. I'd say don't stress too much about the not eating / drinking, especially if it's making you feel ill. I certainly wouldn't start stressing about taking them in the middle of the night (you've got enough sleep deprivation to come without starting early)! If you are taking 3 doses a day then you will be on a high enough daily dose that I wouldn't get too worried about not getting 100% absorption from each tablet. If you are worried then the main dietary barriers to absorption are tea (because of the tannins) and milk and milk-based products, so maybe try and avoid those but don't get so worried about other food stuffs. Vitamin C can actually improve iron absorption as well.