Iron deficiency in pregnancy

[spongebrainmaternitypants]

Had a phone call from my GP this morning to say that a routine blood test had shown up that I have an iron deficiency . I am 13 wks pg.

He didn't seem esp concerned about it, and said I needed to come in some point next week for a blood test.

I am supposed to be going to my parents next week as they are going to look after my DS (10 mths) to give me a break as I'm so exhausted (presumably this is connected to the iron?), but I'm strugling to get an appt to have my bloods redone.

My question is, how urgent is this? Is it just causing my tiredness or is it going to harm the baby in anyway? If it's not hurting the baby then I'm happy to wait a week, otherwise will have to cancel my trip.

I'd be really grateful if anyone can share there experience. Sorry, I'm a born worrier .

You can start taking iron supplements straight away
I wouldn't cancel the trip

I don't think it will hurt the baby - babies are leeches and take what they need from you whether you have it to spare or not! In your position I wouldn't cancel the trip but I would get my hands on some iron supplements to take until you get your blood test results back and your GP can prescribe something for you.

The low iron levels are very likely to be causing the tiredness, yes, so after a few days on supplements you may well notice a difference. It's a good idea for you to be somewhere where you can get help with your ds so you can rest.

What I don't understand is why you need a blood test when you already have the results? I'm no medic but I've never heard of a repeat blood test needed before a prescription for iron tablets can be handed out. During my last pregnancy, my GP just handed over a prescription when my results came back. No repeat test needed.

it is not serious, lots of women become aneamic in pregnancy, often a bit later on, but it is really common.

you can start taking spatone immediately, it is a really gently natural iron supplement

avoid taking it with tea and coffee and try to eat iron rich foods. red meat, dark green leafy veg, apricots...

exhaustion is most likely connected to it

you won';t be harming oyur baby, you are the only one suffering.

It won't affect the baby but for you it may cause tiredness, palpitations, breathlessness and suseptibility to infections. It also makes any loss of blood (for example after delivery) harder to recover from. You can start taking iron tablets or Spatone is good (from Boots, it's iron rich mineral water you mix with orange juice) as it doesn't cause any of the digesive upsets that tablets can. Also lots of iron rich foods to eat will help. You don't say how low your iron count is, but generally anything less than 10.5 is taken as anaemic, depending on how ill or well you feel. Try to sort it early on as it will only get worse throughout pregnancy, this is called physiological anaemia as your blood volume increases your red blood cell count decreases. Perfectly normal if you have a normal iron count to begin with, but if yours is already low you may feel increasingly unwell. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy. I too am confused as to why you need a second blood test? You should ask them you know before they carry out any procedure you are unsure of!

Dont panic Sponge. I agree with the advice you have already received. I went on iron tablets from about 34 weeks when I was pg with DS, and continued with them until about 6 weeks post partum when a blood test showed that my iron levels were ok. Get DH to buy you lots of steak, and have a good rest at your parents next week.

mmmm, steak and steamed broccoli followed by apricot tart [salivates]

The second blood test is probably just to look in more detail to see whether it is just a simple iron deficiency - good practice as this is so early in the pregnancy. There are different types of anaemia, and it is useful and important to know which type.

Thank you all for your reassuring messages . I have to say I didn't even ask what my iron count was or why I needed a second test - think I panicked a bit .

Have got some Floradix and will phone docs on Monday to clarify need for second test.

And have taken a note of all your diet tips!