Dizziness and low iron

mommae2014

34 weeks. So I've been feeling dizzy here and there for about the last ten days. Well, today I thought I was going to faint while driving and thankfully pulled over quickly enough. Called the dr, and actually found out my hemoglobin dropped and put me on rx iron. My prenatal does not have iron so that wasn't helping my cause. Well, I have been laying down all day and still getting lightheaded a couple of times an hour. Really hoping pills kick in tonight and I feel better tomorrow. I also ate a steak, black beans and oj for dinner.

Has anyone else had an episode that lasted all day like this? If so, any tips? I know this is normal. But I feel bad for my toddler. And yes, my husband has told me I need to slow down. Thanks!!!

Foodies1

I do think its a good idea to slow down when your having issues like this. Even though your taking an iron supplement it will take awhile for your body to catch up. I have started eating high iron foods like spinach and lentils along with taking my iron pill. Ive also slowed down my activity levels so my body can catch up. hope this helps!

sarals24

You might be dehydrated also. I always feel faint if I haven't had enough water. Drink up!

jennypolkadots

My 28 week blood work showed low iron levels. Not anemic, just on the low side. I was surprised because I feel really good and have no symptoms. The OB prescribed an 'Ferralate 90" which my midwife called "garbage" because it is basically just synthetic vitamins and a laxative. By her advice, I've been taking 20 ml of "Floradix Iron + Herbs" twice a day, cooking on cast iron, and focusing on more iron heavy foods. I take a vitamin c tablet with my morning dose to help absorption. I also drink a cup of nettle leaf tea and a cup of raspberry leaf tea every day which both have natural iron. I don't eat red meat but have eaten more beans, eggs, and tomato sauces prepared on cast iron. Just wanted to offer this suggestion. Floradix is a naturally sourced iron that your body can absorb more readily, and it is very difficult to overdose because you body can excrete it properly. So if you find that the rx leaves you constipated or you don't like the ingredients in it, this may be a better option for you. 

I'll probably have another CBC done around 36 weeks just to check on the iron before delivery, since we are planning an out of hospital birth. I'm also going to up the Floradix dose closer to delivery. I hope you start feeling better! 

drpayne

I'm anemic but iron is finally coming up taking vitron C 3 times a day. No dairy within an hour of taking it. I also cut back on tums because the calcium can inhibt iron absorption. I use Papaya enzymes now for heartburn and they work well. I've heard good things about Floradix but I can't stomach it. It just makes me gag.

My BP has also been really low. That causes dizziness. Drinking a lot of water can help.

kassidylynn3

At my 26 week checkup I was told that I had low iron levels and looked to be anemic. Was told to eat more iron rich foods and possibly an iron supplement. Did both. Wound up extremely constipated, yes more so than pregnancy already causes. Lol. Now I only take the iron supplement about 1-2 times a week, and balance it out with fiber rich foods.