B12 Injections at 38 Weeks

[beonz]

Hello,

I'm 37+5 and just been informed that I have a B12 deficiency and will need injections starting from today.

I've been in iron tablets since around 34 weeks but haven't really made a difference to iron levels so was talk of an iron infusion also.

Does anyone have experience with this? Surely it's a bit pointless now?

I'm concerned about birth defects from the B12 deficiency

You need it for you, not just the baby. If you're deficient that needs correcting. Untreated B12 deficiency can lead to neurological damage so it's not something to take lightly.

Perhaps you're mixing it up with folate?

Hi @WhisperingJesse

Thank you for your response.

I was under the impression that a B12 deficiency can cause neural tube defects?

I'm happy that I'm being offered the injections, I've already had the first. I'm just concerned that it's become apparent so late in pregnancy iyswim?

Low B12 before and shortly after conception has been linked to NTDs. B12 drops by 30% in the 3rd trimester so most likely your levels were higher before now. But most importantly I presume you've had your routine scans and no NTD found? Try not to worry about that as it's highly unlikely that would be missed on scan.
Definitely not pointless now as you need good iron stores to compensate for blood loss at birth. With B12 deficiency anaemia you physically can't make enough red cells so replacing your B12 will in turn correct your anaemia.

Hi, no it's folate (folic acid) deficiency that may increase the risk of a neural tube defect and yes you do have to have that round the time of conception for the first 3 months. That's one of the B vitamins as well, but B12 is a different one. Just as important but for different reasons.

You are right that low b12 in pregnancy can lead to NTD but wouldn't this have already been picked up on scans?
Important to point out that if you have b12 deficiency you should not use Entonox, it deactivates the b12 in your body. Midwives are at a higher risk of b12 deficiency because of this. It wasn't very well known when I had my children but I think is a bit more widely known now.

@Akite That's interesting, thank you. I'd read about the link between using entonox and the B12 deficiency. If the deficiency is corrected, will I be able to use gas and air? Question for the midwife, I think!

@remaininghopeful23

That's insightful, thank you. Nothing has been picked up on routine scans.

Hoping the injections will make me feel a little better :)

@WhisperingJesse

Hi, here's what the NHS website says re B12 deficiency in pregnancy:

If you're pregnant, not having enough vitamin B12 can increase the risk of your baby developing a serious birth defect known as a neural tube defect

Interesting. We weren't told that when I had my babies!