Severe anemia

[LJ218]

Hi I was just wondering if anyone has had similar experiences. I recently went into hospital because of reduced movements with baby, I'm 30 weeks pregnant. Everything was okay but while I was there I was told a recent blood test have come back that I'm severely aneamic even though I'm already taking iron tablets and that I may have to have iron infusions via IV I'm absolutely crapping my pants over it. I've heard horror stories of people having to spend time in hospital due to this. Has this ever happened to anyone? I feel so terrible, light headed, sick and my arms feel so heavy at times.

I had this with my second pregnancy. Absolutely nothing to be worried about.
I went in and had the infusion, you're hooked up to the monitor while it happens (just in case baby doesn't like it), and left in the same morning/afternoon. The drip took about half an hour, it was waiting for a doctor to give me the all clear that took a while (we were obviously low priority!)

I had 2 doses (I was 39 weeks though, so you may need more as you've longer until you're due, I don't know).

I actually recommend having it. Having been severely anaemic through most of the pregnancy getting some iron back in by blood made me feel GREAT! Revitalised me!

I'm 36 weeks and having an iron infusion tomorrow , so I'll report back!
I feel terrible. I am exhausted from walking a few steps, feel constantly tired and upset, my arms are heavy, everything is such a huge effort.
I was prescribed iron at 38 weeks but couldn't tolerate the tablets, I literally couldn't leave the loo after I took them, so that didn't help!
I really hope I'll feel much better for the infusion. I had to fight for mine slightly , so be glad you were offered it! Do you know what your haemoglobin and serum ferritin levels are?
Kxx

Sorry my post should say I was prescribed iron at 28 weeks. Pregnancy brain!
Also the heavy arms thing- I only really noticed when you said it! Xx

Thank you for the reassurance, think I'm more worried about the fact I'm still really anemic even though I've been on iron since the beginning of my pregnancy. I'm planning a vbac and read it can bring an even higher risk of hemorrhagging if your anaemia isn't under control.

Be excited and delighted that you are getting iv iron. It transformed me from an exhausted wretched whale into a perky energetic whale.

It is v difficult to correct anaemia in pregnancy by diet alone.

No they didn't tell me they just said I'm severely aneamic, the arms part is the worst part for me :(

I never exactly registered the heavy arms symptom at the time but it's so true.

@villainousbroodmare when did you start to feel better? A few hours or days after? I'm so looking forward to it now. I am so fed up of feeling like a useless lump!! Xx

I had an iron infusion at 35 weeks. At the time I couldn’t stand in a lift without fainting, and keeling over on the way in to work was a daily function of my commute! By 37 weeks, I was able to take my children to the park alone - to walk there, to walk back, and to play with them a little while we were there. It was wonderful!

The infusion itself was fine also - I slept through mine! Took about two hours, and didn’t hurt a bit.

From about three days after, and then better by the day for weeks. Remember that what you need the iron for is to make new red blood cells, so that takes time.

Ok , thank you, good point about the making of blood cells not being instant!

From the awful symptoms this causes you would think there was more awareness of the problems of anaemia. My GP was totally useless, luckily the midwife was more on the ball !!

Had an iron infusion when pregnant with my 5th child...fantastic! Did feel a bit fluey the day after (common side affect) but after that felt the best I’d done the whole pregnancy. Much much better than iron tablets!!!

Do you know how low your iron is? I was told my iron was low and have been taking iron tablets and my 28 week blood test showed it had gone down even more, despite the tablets! I don't feel terrible, although maybe I'm just used to feeling tired and lacking in energy now? But they've said to take 2x iron tablets a day and they'll retest me in 3 weeks, if no improvement they'll give me a transfusion too. My iron was 91.

The iron infusion today was fine. A nice excuse for a lie down. The worst part was getting a cannula in. Fingers crossed that I start to perk up in the next few days/weeks!!

Yum! - the bag of ferritin-y goodness!!

LMAO... I WhatsApped the same pic to a few people! Lettuce know how you go on.