IV Iron Infusion

balderasmama

Hello!
Has anyone had experience receiving iron via IV infusion during pregnancy or otherwise? My OB and midwife are recommending it as their first choice, oral iron with follow up labs as the second choice which may lead to infusions in the end anyway if the oral iron is not effective enough. I'm 31&4, so the issue is more of a time issue to make sure I get my levels up before delivery.
Any side effects and success or failure reports would be appreciated. Thanks!

KarasTwin

Sorry, no personal experience, but my aunt is an oncology nurse and says she has pregnant ladies come to her office for infusions all the time. Hope you can get some answers.

KaLikeAWind

No experience, but I find this 'hmm interesting' as I was told to take iron supplements and there was no mention of needing an iv infusion at any time. I'm curious to know if an infusion now would last you until birth, or if you would need to have multiples. Also wondering if those of us on oral supplementation would end up with an infusion while in labor.

toodaloo

Very interesting. My doctor informed me that my iron is low still despite taking iron supplements twice a day. She forgot to give me my new prescription for a different brand she wants me to try. I called, but with my luck, the office was closed and I left a message with their answering service. Still haven't heard back from her. I have an appointment Thursday, so she will get an ear full. I wonder why she hasn't mentioned the possibility of having to have an iron infusion or blood transfusion if things go ary. Things that make you go hhhmmm...

balderasmama

I have had anemia with every pregnancy (this is #4), but this is the first time I have gotten this low. To give you a point of reference my ferrin level is a 2, the minimum they want to see for pregnant women in my birth center is 10. Usually oral iron over enough time will bring the levels up, but since mine are so depleted and we don't have enough time to try the oral iron for 4 weeks to see if it works and also allow for enough time for infusion of the oral iron doesn't work (I need three treatments over three weeks) I think I need to go ahead and do it.

KaLikeAWind

Oh. OK. That really scratched my 'how does it work?' itch. Thanks for the info - really interesting. From what you describe I would probably go ahead and do it, too. Also, I'm wondering how you are able to do anything with iron that low! Once I started taken iron orally I noticed I had more energy than I had had before. You must be a super lady to have the energy to do stuff with iron that low.

MaliKaela

Start a stool softener ASAP! : ) I'm convinced there is nothing more uncomfortable and painful than pregnancy constipation and iron supplementation will stop you up quick! Good luck with your iron levels.

toodaloo

balderasmama said:

I have had anemia with every pregnancy (this is #4), but this is the first time I have gotten this low. To give you a point of reference my ferrin level is a 2, the minimum they want to see for pregnant women in my birth center is 10. Usually oral iron over enough time will bring the levels up, but since mine are so depleted and we don't have enough time to try the oral iron for 4 weeks to see if it works and also allow for enough time for infusion of the oral iron doesn't work (I need three treatments over three weeks) I think I need to go ahead and do it.

Makes sense. I also have been anemic during every pregnancy (this is our 4th), but I have not asked what my levels are. I will be sure to do this. I am so glad you posted this. I still have 8 weeks (highly unlikely though) to go.

balderasmama

mellymar said:

Oh. OK. That really scratched my 'how does it work?' itch. Thanks for the info - really interesting. From what you describe I would probably go ahead and do it, too. Also, I'm wondering how you are able to do anything with iron that low! Once I started taken iron orally I noticed I had more energy than I had had before. You must be a super lady to have the energy to do stuff with iron that low.

Definitely not a super lady! I thought I was just tired because I am super pregnant and have three rambunctious children already! Now my level of exhaustion makes sense. Thanks for the input everyone ;;)

dkleid

So I am anemic not- pregnant so being pregnant my levels have really dropped.  I am currently on a prescription strength Iron pills to make sure that my levels stay where they need to be... I do know that there is a very high possibility that I will need a blood transfusion. I have had them before and they are not as bad as it seems. They hook the bag of blood up to your IV and it just drips in..

MollyandChris

I had 6 infusions with my second pregnancy and it looks like I will be having several this time as well. I would just bring a good book! Urine is darker but I didn't have any other issues with the infusion. Took about 30 minutes each time. Good luck!!

mercedezgill

I have thelassemia so my situation is a tad different but i undergo iron infusions they take about 15 minutes and can give you green stool nothing to be concerned with they do help you feel better I am 31 weeks but due to my disease I'm now getting blood transfusions because the iron infusions did not work for me