Pregnancy anaemia

5 replies

PointeShoesAndTutus · 08/04/2018 20:21

I was diagnosed with pregnancy related anaemia after my 28 week blood tests - very low ferritin levels, and low on haemoglobin and the rest of the things they tested for.

I’ve been on ferritin fumerate twice a day for 3 weeks. I definitely don’t feeel any better, if anything I feel worse.

I have my 31 week check with the midwife tomorrow. Will they redo my blood tests and check that things are improving tomorrow?

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villainousbroodmare · 08/04/2018 20:27

I'm 31 weeks with twins and was wretchedly anaemic despite taking a lot of iron supplements for months (it was noted longer ago in my case). I was feeling so awful. I was given an iv iron drip a couple of weeks ago and I cannot tell you how much better I am now. Push hard for it. I was told very belatedly that it is really unlikely that you will manage to increase your haemoglobin and stored iron counts with oral supplements once you are low and pregnant.
Apparently there is a strong link between anaemia and PND which I can well believe.

ZERF · 08/04/2018 20:29

Yes they should do. Especially if you feel worse. Did they test anything else? Eg thyroid? Might be worth saying that you feel terrible.

There was a thing on inside health recently that looked at taking less iron I think on alternate days was more effective as the body stops absorbing it when it's over loaded. But I its not common practice yet.

It was in this programme

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09ply54

ZERF · 08/04/2018 20:31

If you haven't improved much yes, do push for a drip. Recovery from a section (if you had one) would be better, recovery generally will be better. Plus blood loss at birth can cause then more exhaustion if you're low.

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PointeShoesAndTutus · 08/04/2018 20:38

Thanks, my midwife is really good so I’m hopeful she’ll help. I wasn’t sure if she’d routinely re-test for anaemia or whether 3 weeks wasn’t really long enough to see any change anyway.

How do the drips work? Is it a one off or do I need to go for several/be admitted?

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villainousbroodmare · 08/04/2018 20:43

It seems to be a one-off. It took only about half an hour. Very expensive but worth it. It cost about R15,000 which is about €1000. Luckily insurance covered most of it.

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