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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

How can I maximise my iron levels in late pregnancy?

27 replies

MegBusset · 22/03/2009 18:29

I've got a blood test in two weeks' time which will decide whether I'm able to give birth in the midwife-led unit or consigned to the grimness of the labour ward (last test, at about 28 weeks, had my iron levels at 10.4 -- apparently if they fall below 10 I won't be admitted to the MLU).

I've been taking Pregnacare which was advised by my MW as it has 100% of the RDA of iron in it. But just wondering if there are other, safe ways of getting my levels as high as possible in time for the test.

I'm vegetarian so have been eating lots of broccoli (with orange juice), but if having a bloody steak the night before the test will make a big difference then I'm prepared to do it! Any other tips? Presumably it's not safe to take more iron supplements?

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Lindenlass · 22/03/2009 18:32

How many weeks are you now? It only takes a week or so for iron levels to increase when you take the prescribed supplements. If you're less than 37 weeks, then ask them to prescribe you iron supplements (ferrous fumerate or ferrous sulphate) and take them as often as is safe and get them to check you again at 39 weeks.

Original poster

MegBusset · 22/03/2009 18:35

I'm 35 weeks and they are going to test at 37 weeks. I found the iron supplements had awful side effects so that's why I've stuck with Pregnacare as it didn't cause me any problems.

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Tillyscoutsmum · 22/03/2009 18:36

I took Pregnacare and iron tablets (prescribed by the midwife) and didn't have any problems. I'm not a medical person but I don't think too much iron is a problem..?

Otherwise lots of spinach and other leafy green veg, fortified cereal (Weetabix etc), nuts and dried fruit, egg yolks, tofu, dried beans etc.

Tillyscoutsmum · 22/03/2009 18:37

Ferrous fumerate is less commonly prescribed (because its more expensive) but there are less side effects than sulphate (which can cause stomach discomfort etc.).

Lindenlass · 22/03/2009 18:43

Ask them to try something else - ferrous fumerate is nicer on your stomach...and isn't it worth it if it means you get a better birth?

Original poster

MegBusset · 22/03/2009 18:52

Cool, I will ask about ferrous fumerate (I'm pretty sure it was sulphate I had before).

OP posts:

becktay · 22/03/2009 20:28

watch out if you are taking anything for heart burn as I have found that it can help to inhibit iron absorbtion, as can anything with calcium eaten at the same time as iron.

CarGirl · 22/03/2009 20:30

go to Holland & Barrett and buy Floradix it is a liquid solution with iron stuff in it and all the vitamins etc that help your body absorb it to maximum affect and quickly. Works much more quickly than the tablets and no constipation. No artificial additives in it etc.

It does taste foul though!

Original poster

MegBusset · 22/03/2009 21:23

I didn't know that about Gaviscon, have been taking it a couple of times a day due to horrid reflux

Cargirl do you know if I can take Floradix at the same time as Pregnacare or is it one or the other?

OP posts:

rookiemater · 22/03/2009 21:25

Try spatone iron liquid supplements you add them to some juice. I used them in late pregnancy and now when feeling tired and they are fab and don't make you constipated.

ButtercupWafflehead · 22/03/2009 21:26

My midwife recommended SpaTone to me which you can get in boots - the same idea as CarGirl's recommendation.

Take Iron supplements with orange juice as the vitamin C helps with absorption.

ButtercupWafflehead · 22/03/2009 21:27

amazing x-post with rookie!

CarGirl · 22/03/2009 21:35

Yes if your iron is low you need more than tyour RDA to get your levels back up I should think?

Take either iron tablets or a liquid thing not both though!

Original poster

MegBusset · 22/03/2009 21:40

Spatone with juice sounds good actually, and will save me waiting days to get a doctor's appt. Will pop to Boots tomorrow to get some -- and try to grin and bear my reflux for a couple of weeks!

OP posts:

CarGirl · 22/03/2009 21:44

Boots may sell floradix too it has all the stuff already in it so you don't need the juice with it.

soon2befamilyof4 · 22/03/2009 22:21

I am in the same situation as you but I am already 36 weeks so only have a week left till testing. I am not getting on with any tablets and I am hoping to get some spatone tomorrow.

tjtheminx · 23/03/2009 03:01

I used to have a can of Murphy's stout every day for the last month ( I know,... I know.... ) but it's full of iron and fairly pleasant too. Brought my iron levels up nicely.

AppleAndBlackberry · 23/03/2009 10:13

Caffeine can inhibit iron absorption, so maybe a week without coffee/tea/chocolate? My Mum used to say that cooking with a cast iron saucepan helped but I'm not sure where you would get one of those these days! I think red meat is supposed to help too - apparently the iron is more easily absorbed than iron in vegetables, but it depends how desperate you are!

This website looks quite good: www.eatingforpregnancy.org.uk/default.asp?sID=1199285235540

1stMrsF · 23/03/2009 12:19

The treatment dose of iron fumerate I'm been prescribed is 600mg so I'm figuring (NB I am not a doctor or a nurse, but just applying some common sense here) that you can indeed take pregnacare (only has 17mg iron) plus floradix (60mg iron gluconate in each tablet; liquid has slightly less) and even spatone too (5mg in each sachet). I checked this out with the pharmacist in boots, who agreed with me that I was not overdosing.

I'm currently taking 200mg of iron fumerate (one dose per day of my prescribed 3 doses as I can't tolerate any more of it - stomach cramps and nausea) plus 2 sachets of spatone. I was taking floradix as well, but have run out.

Whatever you take, if you can tolerate taking it on a empty stomach (2 hours after food, one hour before) and taking with vit c (I'm using cranberry juice as gone off OJ in pregnancy) you will absorb more of it.

Original poster

MegBusset · 23/03/2009 12:59

I have been to Boots today and got some Spatone (they didn't have Floradix) so will give that a go.

I don't drink tea or coffee, and have had to give up chocolate as it's been giving me migraines...

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Original poster

MegBusset · 23/03/2009 13:06

So can I take the Spatone as well as my Pregnacare?

OP posts:

soon2befamilyof4 · 23/03/2009 13:17

I wouldn't take both without talking to a doctor or midwife. In the instructions to my iron tablets it says Iron is one supplemet that can be extremly dangerous if you take too many and to go straight to A&E. I know it gave a figgure of the amount of deaths caused by Iron overdose and it was high. Not saying you would die from taking spatone obviously! But just saying it is definatly worth getting advice first. If you are going to take the spatone, don't take the tablets without getting advice first.

WowOoo · 23/03/2009 13:20

Pumpkin seeds, apricots and dark leafy veg according to my chart. HAve plenty of Vit C to help with apsorption too.

No idea about supplements sorry.

Sure that steak is a fab source of iron if you could stomach it. I'll never say no to a nice fillet.

Beantin · 23/03/2009 13:33

ready brek and cocoa powder

1stMrsF · 23/03/2009 21:47

My midwife and doctor say I can take my prescribed iron tablets as well as pregnacare so I think taking spatone as well as pregnacare would be fine. There is actually not very much iron in either.

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