Anaemic at nine weeks

[CobaltRose]

Hi everyone.

I'm nine weeks pregnant with my first child, and just received a call from my midwife informing me that the results from the blood tests taken at my booking appointment show that I'm a 'little low' on iron. I've never been anaemic before. She recommended I take iron supplements and will need another blood test in two weeks.

I must admit I haven't been eating that well due to severe nausea, so that probably hasn't helped. I have been feeling quite tired and slightly out of breath recently, so that explains it!

From what I've read, anaemia is pretty common in pregnancy, but nine weeks seems pretty early to have it. I just hope it doesn't affect the baby

Any recommendations for foods and the kind of iron supplements to take to increase my iron levels? I've heard some supplements can have unpleasant side effects.

Thanks everyone

Leafy green vegetables (cabbage spinach), broccoli, etc. Also may be worth getting more vitamin c (which help absorb iron) so fruit esp citrus fruit. Cutting down on caffeine may help too (it stops iron being absorbed).

However... If you are low on iron diet itself is unlikely to solve this, at least in the short to medium term. It's worth getting on top of the issue early. I've been anaemic for 5 years now since start of first pregnancy (on third now), and never have managed to increase iron levels. I've been so drained by this particularly after being fit and healthy and v active prior to first pregnancy.

My issue is my body simply does not tolerate iron supplements of v high dose. I take multivitamin with iron no problem but need more. My advice would be to try what they prescribe, if you can't tolerate it (I get horrific abdominal cramping leaving me hunched over nearly able to walk, unable to sleep) ask for iron is different forms like gel or different tablets and try find one that works for you. Some people can take them and have no adverse effects at all (v jealous).

I'm having iron injections soon but it's an ongoing issue for me. I hope you manage to get a grip on this situation more quickly and easily than myself.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!!

Thanks! I don't consume a lot of caffeine anyway (don't really eat chocolate, don't drink tea or coffee as I don't like it). My diet hasn't been the best due to horrible nausea, but I'll force myself to eat more veg and leafy stuff. I love fruit, so that shouldn't be a problem!

I suffer with anaemia very badly in general and am also pregnant. I take spatone sachets. Just iron water you add to a drink of orange juice. They are much kinder and safe for pregnant women. Iron tablets can cause a very upset and sometimes painful stomach, I haven’t found this with the waters.

I recommend spatone google it

I have had this (twin) pregnancy absolutely ruined by anaemia. Despite taking about three or four times the RDA of four or five different iron supplements for the last 4 months, I haven't managed to raise my haemoglobin or ferritin by one single point. Hoping to get iv iron next week. I can barely function. My strong advice is to take this seriously and follow it up.