Hi all,
Is there any advice for newly pregnant, B12 deficient women?
My daughter has injections every 2 months but always feels very tired beforehand which suggests she would benefit from more frequent doses. She’s just pregnant and is understandably anxious about not having enough B12 ‘available’ for her baby to develop well. Does anyone know if there any advice or research on this? Thanks
The Pernicious Anaemia Society have a leaflet on this topic. Unfortunately it's for members only.
One of my daughters carried on with b12 regime in supplement form designed for pregnant women. So having that a good idea as well as her usual b12 injection regime.
Midwives can advises on nutrition at the booking visit.
The importance of folic acid well known. It depends on what your daughter can absorb from her diet and any supplement.
Bloods are done regularly throughout pregnancy. So although testing is not needed when on b12 injections it's done anyhow.
Tiredness not a good indicator for b12 needs when pregnant.
B12 levels can drop with 'gas and air' if used in labour and after delivery too also iron /ferritin can depending on blood loss.
Bloods can be done after delivery to get her status and are done if needed.
Thats the time perhaps for more monitoring of needs for b12 and other vitamins.
If b12 levels do plummet in the postnatal period that can contribute to post natal depression.
As I understand it (not medical) at this stage her baby will take what they need,
it's the mother that needs to keep on top of things.
Get her discuss her concerns with the midwife or doctor.
Happy times ahead.
Yes indeed and thank you for your support
If you look at one of your older posts of 2 years ago Sleepy bunny had put on loads of links about b12 and pregnancy Might be worth another look.
Thanks you for reminding me. I forgot I’d asked!
Unfortunately my daughter lost that baby early hence my extra concern this time however she is taking folic acid and the recommended supplements already and has decided to seek early advice from her surgery. The PA society leaflet is very helpful ( if not a bit worrying). I’ve found it’s well worth joining for the resources there.
I was undiagnosed with PA and multiple vitamin deficiencies when i had my daughter but taking my pregnancy vitamin kept my vitamin intake steady and my daughter was born 100% healthy and not lacking in anything.
During my pregnancy I asked for (and was given) half injections, twice as often.
While I was pregnant I asked GP if I could have half the amount, twice as often and they were happy to agree
Hello there I am wondering how your daughter is doing. I am a year into treatment and I would say symptoms have improved 50%. I am getting older and not wanting to wait to conceive. Currently trying but worried about B12 injections while pregnant. I get weekly injections right now. Just wondering what you have learned and how your daughter is doing.
Thank you
My daughter is doing ok. Is hoping to negotiate more regular injections ( currently every two months) by sharing the advice sheet from the PA society. As we all do,she feels she knows more about B12 than her GP and the consultant was happy with the baby’s growth etc. My daughter does get very tired now so Hm fingers crossed she can get more frequently jabbed.
Good luck with your attempt and keeping on top of your B12 is really important early on so maybe share the advice sheet with your GO. It’s on the website if you become a member
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