Worried

[Raheena786]

My iron is low. I take iron tabelt every morning, empty stomach. I only have 1 month left for due date. I do always try to have iron rich food in my diet. Still not working. Worried about Labour.

[FatandPreggs]

Hi, what does your blood test show, i.e. haemoglobin? Have you been tested for serum ferritin?

If they are below the cut off points for pregnancy and the iron tablets are not working, the next step is IV in hospital especially when you are so close to labour. Insist on them to take you seriously! I am struggling with a similar issue

[Raheena786 in reply to FatandPreggs]

Hi, thankyou for replying. She did say it is the haemoglobin which is low. I had blood test for ferritin. Honestly speaking iron tablet not working for me I have been using them since I was 11 week pregnant . I'm currently 26 week & 5 days. When do I let them know about IV?

[FatandPreggs in reply to Raheena786]

I am shocked that they acknowledge low levels but do not advise you as to the next steps!! It looks like you still have 3 months to go though? In any event, they should be thinking ahead I would have thought, but I have found myself to not expect that from NHS...

I am not a specialist myself but since I am in quite a similar situation to yours (I am 31+3), I am also preparing myself for a fight to get my iron levels up to normal ones so that I do not run the risks associated with the lack of them.

I found this helpful

transfusionguidelines.org/d...

My friend was also anaemic, but the tablets didn't work and she was petrified of needles, so she took Tot'hema and apparently that helped her to restore her iron levels. I would definitely consult a doctor though.

[Pasaeoco01]

I had low iron levels after birth of my son. I had an iron infusion via IV but they also recommended spatone with is in a liquid form. You can buy over the counter in boots or most pharmacies. They are absorbed into the body much quicker. They’re just like apple juice flavour in a handy sachet you just snip the top off and drink.

[Ellil003]

Please speak to your midwife about this and see what they say - I’ve put below the advice I was given, but do check for your specific circumstances (ie if you have gestational diabetes, I would avoid all of this extra sugar!)

My iron was low during my pregnancy, and they recommended spatone (liquid iron) and eating dried apricots (which are surprisingly very iron rich!)

Vitamin c is beneficial to help iron absorption, so I was also recommended to have a small glass of orange juice when taking my iron. Caffeine can inhibit iron absorption, so avoid having any caffeine before or after taking your iron!

[Cheekymonkey85]

What tablets have you been prescribed? And what dosage? I've had low iron in my last 2 pregnancies and was priscribed 3 iron tablets daily, but I actually only took 1 a day and it did work for me at least. Definitely take with a glass of fresh irange juice, avoid tea straight after not just caffeine as the tannins in tea can inhibit absorbtion. Also dairy straight after should be avoided for the same reasons.

I hope your levels get sorted soon, it's a really awful feeling isn't it x

[Camellia90]

I was told by the doctor to ensure i took the iron tablets (prescribed when pregnant) with orange juice as the vitamin c helps to absorb the iron. Good luck x

[Girl_fiend]

I take spatone iron water sachets x2 in orange juice every morning on an empty stomach. Midwife was shocked at how high my haemoglobin levels were!