Would it be very naughty if I didn't take my iron tablets?

[VirginBirth]

My doctor has just called to say my iron levels are low and he wants to prescribe a course of tablets. I am 36 weeks.

The level is the same as it was at my 28 week check when the midwife said it was lower than she'd like it to be, but not dangerously so. She just said to eat well and they'd keep an eye on it.

I really don't want to take them.

I've heard they give you constipation and nausea. I can't bear either, especially the nausea as I had really bad MS for the first half of my pregnancy and just can't stand the thought of going back to that now.

So, what would happen if I didn't take them? Could I harm the baby? Could I harm myself? I have no anaemic symptoms at all, no excess tiredness, paleness, breathlessness etc.

WWYD?

I'm borderline anemic even when not pregnant, so I became very anemic when pregnant. The iron tablets are not the most pleasant thing in the world, but if you 1) take them with vitamin C, such as orange juice or some other Vitamin C rich juice such as pomegranate and 2) avoid taking them with milk (such as your breakfast cereal) and 3) have a few dried apricots/other dried fruit a day, it isn't that bad. I have a glass of juice and an iron tablet about 30-60 minutes before breakfast. I do the same again at lunch, and then I have my last one of the day with juice just before bedtime. It's sort of a pain to work in with my other medication, but it did give me my energy back, and sitting in a chair feeling like I was suffocating was no way to live!

Yes, you could harm yourself and consequently your baby. Go and see your GP. He can prescribe a laxative as well which will avoid constipation.

I agree take Spatone or floradix. You do not want to find yourself severely anaemic after giving birth and possibly needing a blood transfusion!

i have recently also developed this and was given tabs that blocked me up so stopped started taking spatone and was told the iron in them was very low and was pointless so he then gave me pregaday and so far been fine ive actually seen alot of toilet action( sorry tmi) i think its body way or gearing me up! 37+1 today.

If in doubt after taking them go back and get a different type, dont not take them but i know you have decided to take them so well done!

GOOD LUCK xx

The advice I usually give if the iron level is low but the blood count is ok (ish) is that since it is about replenishing stores it is better to do it slowly than not at all.

Start with one tablet daily taken with orange juice in the middle of a meal. If after a few days you are managing ok increase to two tablets. I rarely recommend 3 tablets but speak to your own GP and see what they think of this plan for you if you are worried about side effects.