Ferrinject iron transfusion - dangerous side effects?

[Leafy2018]

Hi,

I'm 36 weeks and my ferritin has fallen to 5, despite taking ferrous fumerate daily. I saw my consultant yesterday and she gave me the option of an iron transfusion. I asked her what her opinion was and she said 'on balance' she would go for it. However, I'm beginning to see why it isn't necessarily a straight forward decision as, reading the NICE guidelines, it seems there is the potential for some rather nasty side effects (including anaphylaxis and fatality!) I'm booked in to have it next Tuesday but I feel really wobbly about it. Has anyone had this - would love to hear your experience of it before I call up and cancel it!

Thanks

Hopeful bump

I've had an iron transfusion and wasn't advised of any nasty side effects to apart from feeling rundown for a few days. I felt a little tired, but was fine apart from that.

I had a Ferrinject drip after my iron levels fell way too low with DC2. Just wanted to say it went absolutely fine, I'd been so ill for almost a week prior to the infusion and could actually feel myself perking up and feeling a million times better by the time I was almost at the end of the infusion. I was on a very quiet ward whilst having it done and was monitored closely throughout, so I'm sure if anything was to go wrong for you, it would be picked up very quickly. Not sure if that's any help, but best of luck OP x

I had one, made me feel so much better. I think you are more at risk not having one. Good luck!

Thank you very much - that's encouraging. May I ask what your ferritin levels were prior to getting the transfusion please? Mine has gone from 10 to 8 to 5 despite taking ferrous fumerate. Hoping there's not some horrible reason for that!

Ferrinject is much more straight forward and less side effectes than the older iron infusions. Don't worry, they give them to pregnant women all the time or they wouldn't have offered it! If you look up the side effects for anything they will included the horrible very very rare ones, you have it with health care professionals arpund for this reason.

Hi OP I often have iron infusions, each time I have one in pregnancy I have them on the labour ward so should anything happen they can get baby out ASAP. However nothing has ever gone wrong and it's always been straight forward and after a week or so I've felt so much better for it. As your 36 weeks Ull need all the energy you can get for labour and it's perfectly normal for your levels to drop in pregnancy as your baby takes what it needs from you. Ull be fine x

If you look at any medicines side effects there is usually anaphylaxis/death on there as you could be allergic to the ingredients. It is very rare to be though.

Mine was 2.... By the last 1/4 of the drip I felt like a completely new person. It was horrendous feeling that ill!

Thank you so much for the super helpful replies. I really appreciate it. I had my haemoglobin tested yesterday and am getting the result at 9.00 in order to make a decision. I will update if anyone's interested (not terribly exciting though I know!) I think I'm more nervous than I need to be because I have been the '1%' before (had a bad reaction to a drug which left me without an immune system.) Do feel better having read your replies though, thank you.

Well my hb is 117 so that's ok but obviously ferritin still very low. Midwife is going to speak to consultant and let me know what they advise, Anyone have any experience of normal haemoglobin but low ferritin? I'm confused!

I've decided against it. I'm sure there will be eye rolling but reading the guidelines it says that because of the potential risk to mother and fetus, the benefits must clearly outweigh the risks - and I'm not sure they do. I feel fine in myself and midwife assured me they would deal with any extra blood loss at birth quickly. Thanks for all the advice.

Leafy, sounds like you’ve made a considered decision based on your previous experiences and your attitude to risk and that’s all you can do. I’d probably make the same one in your situation to be honest. Good luck with the baby!