Severe Anemia Concerns

Cheryl Renee

Since 2nd trimester, I've had anemia.  However, my symptoms are way worse now than they were in the beginning.  I'm taking iron 3 times a day now, as compared to the once a day that my doctor started me on.  I had lab work done yesterday and was told that my iron is still border line too low and I may end up having to get a blood transfusion next week when I go in for my c-section.  I've read that severe anemia can cause birth defects too.  Do any of you have any experience with this?  Should I be worried?  Anyone have experience with blood transfusions related to pregnancy?

Latina211508

I first got anemia when I was pregnant with my second baby. I'm pregnant with my fourth baby and I'm still highly anemic. Besides taking iron pills which I admit I don't take consistently I never had any issues. My ob/Drs have never been concerned and I honestly never even knew it could cause birth defects. All I've been informed is being fatigued etc. Talk to your Dr and ask her your severity (if there is any major cause for concern). 

egraves4

A friend of mine who gave birth in early October had anemia when she delivered vaginally.  Her baby was born perfectly fine.  She did have to get a blood transfusion but her labor was also really long and hard on her, so some of it had to do with losing a lot of blood from that.  The only issues she's had since have actually been breastfeeding related.  Her milk came in late and as a FTM she had a really hard time boosting her supply since she didn't really know what she was doing/the nurses were extremely unhelpful.  She got in contact with a LLL leader and is BFing just fine now.