Iron Deficiency Anaemia at 33 Weeks

[LunaNova]

Hi All,

I guess I'm looking for a bit of reassurance, first baby and so far I've had a pretty straightforward pregnancy, with no major causes for concern.

Obviously, I was supposed to have an appointment at 28 weeks for a follow up blood test, I'm needlephobic so I had to mentally prepare and was fully ready for it but three days before the appointment, it was rearranged to 30 weeks, and then three days before that appointment it was rearranged to the following week, so I didn't end up having the blood test done until 31+3.

On Wednesday (32+3) I got a call from the doctors, which I missed, I called back later the same day but the midwife had already left the surgery. The receptionist had a look at the notes on the system and said that the midwife was calling to say I had iron deficiency anaemia and would arrange for a prescription of iron tablets to be sent electronically over to Boots, she couldn't see that it had been sent yet but assured me it would be there by end of day Thursday.

I was working all day Friday and Saturday so was unable to pick my prescription up. I'm going to brave the elements (the storm is quite bad here but it seems to be easing) in a minute to go pick my prescription up but I'm now worried that I haven't started taking any tablets until 33 weeks for something that should have been picked up at 29 weeks if I'd had the blood test on time.

This could be a projection of my anxiety about the blood tests and the potential need for more of them in the future but I'm just wondering if anyone had any experience of it being picked up later or if anyone can provide any reassurance. I've got my next midwife appointment in 11 days (providing that one doesn't get rearranged!) so I'm not sure if this will give the tablets time to kick in?

Thanks!

Am in hospital just now at 33 weeks with gallstones iron was low as well tgeybhave just given we an iron infusion this morning. Already feel a bit better xx

I didn't start taking iron (ferrous fumate) until around week 32/33 as they forgot to do my 28 week bloods. The pregnancy was not impacted at all and I only actually took them whilst pregnant for a few weeks as my baby came at 36+6. I've continued to take them whilst breast feeding and I'm now preparing for my baby's first birthday in a couple of weeks. Just take them once you get them, it'll be fine and if it isn't fine then that will have nothing to do with not getting the iron tablets 'on time' as it were. I struggled with constipation at first as the instructions said to take them at different times of day but the midwife said to just take them at the same time as eating breakfast with a glass of orange juice, which solved my problems.

Thanks @Cardboard33, that's really reassuring!

I've picked them up today and will definitely take them with orange juice and food to help with any digestive issues as I know they can be miserable!

I think I may just be feeling a little overwhelmed this weekend (pregnancy hormones!), I wasn't worried about it when the surgery called and it literally just panicked me today haha. My husband has been away for the weekend though so I think it's a combination of being anxious and not having my usual soundboard of reason to make me less anxious

Low iron won’t affect baby, it’s you that needs it! I’ve been taking iron since 12 weeks & I’m still quite badly anaemic, my body just wont absorb it properly! But baby is growing well & seems a’ok!

The iron should help you feel better - I assume you are probably feeling pretty fatigued/exhausted and may be getting symptoms of anemia such as heart palpitations, breathlessness? Give it 2/3 weeks & you’ll be feeling much better. Even with my continued anaemia, the tablets have picked me up significantly.

The other reason for giving iron is in case of lots of bleeding during labour. Helps to have a good store! But you’ve got plenty of time to get the iron down you and your levels up before birth. They recon 3-4 weeks for levels to improve, so you’ve got that plus more!

If they’ve given you ferrous sulphate & it doesn’t agree with you (can cause bad nausea) ask to try a different iron. I cannot tolerate ferrous sulphate (literally makes me vomit 🤷🏼‍♀️) but I manage OK on ferrous fumarate! Don’t really understand why but whatever works I suppose!

On Monday I was prescribed iron to take for the rest of pregnancy... Monday also happened to be my due date! 😁 It's worth treating, even if not for long. Babies are little parasites so he or she will be getting all they need from your stores anyway

@Bol87 that's made me feel loads better! I have been super exhausted/breathless, but I'd kind of put it down to working full time and doing too much (I'm still trying to walk the dog for about an hour each day), so I'd not even considered that it wasn't normal to feel like this! They've given me Ferrous Fumarate, so hopefully it will agree with me but you never know so I'll keep an eye on it!

@Sheep90, also helpful and yes, these little babies like to steal everything from us don't they! :D

Thank you both :)

@Bol87 If it’s not working insist on an infusion.

With my three previous pregnancies I’ve been severely anaemic. Despite this I’m 32wks and still awaiting bloods (not for want of trying!)
It can take up to 8wks to fully kick in although you can start to feel the benefits quite quickly, hence why I want it checking and doing ASAP!

It might be worth you asking what the actual test results were. If borderline, then I wouldn't be worried. I was tested at 28 weeks but not told I needed to be prescribed something till 32. However, my result was very borderline

I get my levels checked again Wednesday. Hoping they are a bit higher. I'm so constipated but have been given lactulose to help.