Anemia

Barbiemasacre

I recently had blood work done and my tests show I'm anemic and my ob didn't even tell me until I went online to check my results. My fiancé took me to the hospital today because I kept having nose bleeds, cramps, head aches, and I was extremely weak. And all they did was check me for contractions and send me home after I told them I was weak and felt terrible. My ob is out of town and won't be back till next week and I'm worried because nothing is helping me feel better. Anyone else have or had this that can give me advice on something to help? The doctors told me nothing but rest (I do anyway I don't work and do online school).

elleswarth

If the doctors aren't concerned then I don't know why you are? Nose bleeds are common this time of the year, and with pregnancy. Just like bleeding gums. And headaches, dizziness, weakness, tiredness. Anemia is common in pregnancy as well. You need to eat red meat and leafy greens, take iron supplements. If your levels were that concerning, they would have kept you and treated it.

csjsmom

I just checked some of my lab results online and mine showed up anemic too. But then I googled and found a website that showed "normal" lab results during pregnancy (it actually showed for each trimester) and mine fell within that range. So it seemed to me the normal values are different during pregnancy.

Barbiemasacre

I called the nurses and they told me I was anemic just have to wait for my ob to get off vacation.

elleswarth

Vacation or not, if it was a problem, they would have you come in to be treated. It isn't something that's taken lightly.

TXUltraRunner

If they thought your numbers were a problem they would have prescribed iron supplement (I was found to be anemic and put on iron 3x a day). I think you're overreacting but if it makes you feel better eat more leafy greens and red meat

elleswarth

I would bet my nursing license that 60-70% of this board is technically "anemic".

elleswarth

Here is a chart of what your hemoglobin should be in each trimester. My doctors told me I'm "anemic" at 10.6 - by normal, nonpregnant standards, I am. 8 months pregnant? Pretty good.

snowbaby1214

Just eat more iron.  Cereals are a great source (honey bunches of oats has 60%), as are prune juice and sunflower seeds.  I've been anemic all my life (vegetarian since age 12) and you can get enough through diet w/o the supplements.

Mrs_Bennett

Like the PPs said, work on upping your iron intake through diet. Spinach, red meat, and blackstrap molasses are all great sources of iron, and eating them with something that is high in vitamin c will help with absorption (calcium, on the the other hand, will inhibit). Real food sources are ideal, but iron supplements will help too.
It is normal for iron levels to drop significantly during this time of pregnancy (weeks 27-32ish?), and then they will go up again after that.
Good luck!

lavet22

My iron level at my 28wk appt was at an 8 (no wonder I feel so crummy!!).  My doctors PA called in a prescription for a supplement and I take it 3x per day.  If I'm not at a 9.5 at my 32wk appt (in a few days..) I will be getting an iron IV infusion.  I agree that most pregnant women are anemic at this point.  If you were significantly anemic, either your doc/nurse or hospital would have ordered a supplement.  If you are really that concerned, they sell supplements over the counter.  Also, red meat and leafy greens are high in iron.  Good luck!

kcsparky

They told me to do an iron supplement but it wasn't too low. Try saline rinses for nose bleeds. They are very common. I work for an ENT and that's what we recommend.

nursemarie925

As a nurse, I will echo what the previous posters said. Anemia is fairly common In pregnancy. You can try to raise you hgb by doing the things suggested, eating leafy greens, red meat, and iron supplements. If you do supplements, take them with orange juice to help them absorb. And be proactive to combat the constipation that comes with taking iron. Just curious what your levels were?

On a personal note, I am currently anemic and will begin my iv iron next week. My hgb is too low to hope that iron supplements will bring it back to an acceptable level before I deliver. Talk to your dr about your concerns. Good luck.

SandraRDH

elleswarth said:

I would bet my nursing license that 60-70% of this board is technically "anemic".

This. Just take an iron supplement. It's so common you more than likely need it. I was told by a pharmacist that specializes in prenatal nutrition that all pregnant women should be taking an iron supplement twice a day their entire pregnancy in addition to their prenatal because it is such a common problem. I've done it my whole pregnancy and have had no trouble with my numbers, energy has been great, absolutely no exhaustion or weakness or the other signs that come with anemia. 

mali3

Barbiemasacre said:

I called the nurses and they told me I was anemic just have to wait for my ob to get off vacation.

Why do you have to wait for her to get off vacation? Just go to the store and buy some Iron supplement if you havent. They should do the trick - i have been anemic with all of my pregnancies, very common

AggieMom0809

I was surprised when I had my first round of lab work for this pregnancy and they said I wasn't anemic. When I had my glucose test done, they said I am again. I've been anemic on and off since at least the 5th grade. Eating more meat, spinach, and other high iron foods or taking iron pills usually fix the problem. I just don't like most meat and forget to take the pills, so I'm always stuck in the cycle of normal to low iron levels.

moonfaerie

I too am anemic and have been anemic with all of my pregnancies. Increase your intake of red meat, leafy greens, beans, etc. Avoid taking with calcium, as calcium will inhibit absorption. Take with OJ or something else high in vitamin C. And iron supplements are good too, but sometimes cause constipation. It is really common.

Bigboneded

I had mine checked last month, I am anemic... not really symptomatic. I started taking my iron supplement- I take gummy prenatals which dont have iron or calcium. I take Synthroid and need yo srparate that from iron and calcium. Its a pain, but I take my iron with juice at least 4 hours away from my Synthroid and calcium at least 4 hours after that... the thing is, no one is concerned about rechecking my levels to see if adding in iron has been enough...