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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Im anemic now

10 replies

girlylala0807 · 23/01/2009 20:31

I got a call this morning to tell me im anemic. 28+5 now.

I have been given iron tablets but not heard nice things about them at all.

Any suggestions to boost my iron levels before my next check up.

Thanks all.

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MsG · 23/01/2009 20:49

What have you heard about iron tablets? I think they're meant to be OK...

I think iron's in red meat, but as a veggie I try to get it from dark green veg (broccoli and spinach are my faves) and it's also in dark chocolate and dried apricots I think. Can't think what else at the mo.

Hope you feel ok.

alicecrail · 23/01/2009 20:51

Yes! Spatone is amazing!! It has no side effects and you just put it in juice once a day (or twice when pregnant) i was very anemic when pg because i broke my leg at same time and had hgb of 7.9 when should be 14 and it got it up to 10.3 in about 4wks when iron tablets hadn't done any good and made me sick. You can't get it on prescription though but its only about £6 for a months supply from boots. Really, really is the best stuff

thisisyesterday · 23/01/2009 20:52

yeh iron tablets are yucky. they make me feel ill and constipate me.
I take spatone instead, it's absorbed much more easily by the body, so doesn't tend to constipate you.

babyinbelly · 23/01/2009 21:03

I hate iron tablets too. Have avoided them so far by eating lots of meat, peas and chocolate - well actually just by eating lots i think!. Orange juice with your meals is supposed to help you absorb iron more easily whereas tea/coffe prevents it being absorbed. Also breakfast cereals contain added iron i think but stear away from sugary ones as MW may tell you off for having too much glucose! HTH. Good luck.

Original poster

girlylala0807 · 23/01/2009 21:10

Hi all,

Thanks so much for the advice.

MsG, I heard they make you sick and constipated and generally unwell. Wanted to see if there was an alternative without putting the baby at risk. I do like red meat so will eat more of that.

Thanks to everyone else for the advice, will ask about all these things in the chemist tomorrow, I will start to drink orange juice with meals to.

OP posts:

Nellycake · 23/01/2009 21:44

I had to take iron tablets and had no problem with them at all. Have you ever tried them? You might be worrying unnecessarily.

ilikeyoursleeves · 23/01/2009 21:46

I took iron tablets and apart from the disgusting black poos they were fine, no harm to baby as far as I know.

MERLYPUSS · 23/01/2009 22:05

I am almost always borderline anaemic. Don't drink tea with you meals. Drink orange juice or ribena instead as the tannin in tea destroys iron yet vit c in orange juice helps absorb it. Thats what the doc told me anyway.

Original poster

girlylala0807 · 23/01/2009 22:12

Hi again,

Nellycake, I have to admit ive not taken them yet, I probably will give then a go, just wanted to see if there was alternatives.

MERLPUSS, I dont drink tea or coffee so that wont be a problem, thanks for the advice.

OP posts:

kiltycoldbum · 23/01/2009 22:19

hi, im on pg no3, am 20wks and am anaemic, am in all my pgs, with B12 deficiency. I take iron, which needs to be taken alongside folic acid to receive the full benefit. Dr also gave me lactulose to have to prevent the constipation as it softens your poo! other than that they help me feel better and not so unutterably achingly exhausted i want to cry, though on occassion i would readily of popped a baby out rather than had to have a poo poo!

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