Confusion with Anemia

[user1469992853]

Desperately looking for some advice

I am 34 weeks pregnant (nearly there!) and suffering with fatigue, dizziness, fainting and low energy. I also have low blood pressure.

I couldn't get hold of my midwife so rang through to the doctors who ordered a full blood count , results came back and I was waiting to hear back from him.

My midwife checked my results and has told me my blood results are normal as is my blood pressure and to carry on as normal (still working full time etc) and that I'm an anomaly. She also commented that when the doctor calls me back, to ignore his diagnosis and when he says I need another blood test in 3 weeks time to tell him I'll sort it with her. Which she then said we won't organise another one as it's not necessary and that the head GP is "over the top".

Low and behold that same day the doctor (head of the surgery) called me back and told me my results showed I was anemic and that he would organise another blood test for a few weeks time and that he would get some iron tablets sent through to the pharmacy for me to pick up. He explained in detail a few other bits and had a genuine conversation with me on how to manage and look after myself a bit better.

I am so confused as the midwife has told me to ignore the doctor but I feel horrendous and not that comfortable in advice I've been given - more so because if the contradictions.

Has anyone else come across this situation?

Do you know what your levels are? It’s pretty easy to check yourself if you have the actual numbers.

I’m not any kind of medical anything, but I don’t think there are any huge downsides to taking iron supplements if you’re even only possibly anaemic, but there are some big downsides to not taking it if you are!

That does seem weird advice from the midwife. I’d go with the doctor on this one.

Hi

I don't know my reading sounds obvious to have asked for them in hindsight!

Its all a bit bizarre especially the attitude the midwife seemed to have today about the doctor

Well considering the GP is way more medically qualified than the MW, you need to go with the GP's advice.

Your HB might be ok, but your ferritin levels could be non-existent and I know from experience that this can make you feel like crap.
Dizziness etc all the things you described.
And iron tablets can so easily fix that.

The repeat blood test is to make sure it's working.
If you don't treat low ferritin levels then your HB will begin to drop and you really will start to feel horrendous.

So in my opinion and my experience (I'm constantly anemic, always in pregnancy and often when not due to very heavy periods) your GP is very much doing the right thing and the midwife shouldn't over ride that.

Thank you for your advice I really appreciate it I think I'll be picking up the tablets tomorrow and fingers crossed it'll help pick me up a bit!
Just wouldn't have expected the midwife to have disagree and talk down the doctor so much - even went on about wages and how much more they're paid than midwives

That's terrible!! And of course they get paid more than midwives, it's a totally different job.
Sheesh she chose the wrong career and she's bitter about it from the sounds!

Never listen to a MW over a GP. Ever. There’s a reason why GPs spend a lot longer training

Thank you, I feel daft posting on here now but such conflicting messages from medically trained people is confusing especially when you can only go by how you feel and what your told x

The advice from your midwife is dangerous. They are normally shit hot about anemia at your stage of pregnancy because anemia puts you at a greater risk of complications, reduces your options for place of delivery and if you have a PPH, you’d be at more risk of needing a transfusion. I was anemic all the way through my last pregnancy and they worked really hard to get my HB up to 10 so I had the option of the midwife led unit. In the end I had a complicated delivery and was consultant led. I had a PPH and avoided a transfusion. If I hadn’t been taking iron tablets to get my levels up I would have most likely needed one. I still felt like crap for weeks afterwards and struggled with milk production so it is not something you want to be ignoring.

I’m pregnant again and have had extra blood tests to check my levels because of experiencing similar symptoms to last time. Fortunately I’m only borderline but my midwife has been very happy to take additional bloods and will monitor my levels closely.

Thank you for your advice, I'm sorry you struggled so much with your last pregnancy!
I'm definitely picking up the tablets today as I'm having to drag myself into doing anything today. I want a c section and from what understand it's extremely standard for blood pressure and things to drop through the floor so any help that is surely a positive .

The dealings with this midwife the wh9le way through has been challenging and fairly unprofessional to say the least so I'll be glad when baby's here and safe to be honest x