anemic after c-section

ericamanuela

I had a c-section 8 days ago. I labored for almost 3 days with pitocin and I wouldn't progress. I had very heavy bloody shows while laboring and lost a good amount of blood during my surgery. After the c-section I had very low red blood cell count, almost low enough to get a blood transfusion. I tried eating foods with iron but it hasn't cut it and my lips have lost most of their color and I'm running a little bit cold, especially my hands and feet. I've been checking my temp and it's normal. I had Advil in my system and my nurse said to wait until it's completely out of my system to check my temp again because I guess advil can mask a temp. Has anyone else experienced this? If so, how long did it take after taking iron supplements for the anemia to go away and for the red blood cell levels to go back to normal?

emberlee3

Depends on how anemic you are and whether your iron stores were normal before.  Talk to your doctor.

ericamanuela

I'm not too sure, all I know is that my red blood cell count was so low I almost needed a blood transfusion. Luckily I was right on the brink and didn't. I talked to my nurse this morning and she suggested taking 2 40mg pills each day and told me that it will take at least 6 weeks for my levels to become normal. Does that sound about right?

akayf

Try drinking some orange juice when you take your iron pill.  The citrus helps your body absorb the iron better.    I lost a lot of blood when I delivered my first and nearly needed a blood transfusion.   I had to go on iron pills and my levels were in the low normal range at my 6 week post partum appt.      

emberlee3

You likely need to take iron supplements for 3-6 months.  It really depends on your bloodwork before and after your c-section.  Your blood count will go back to normal before your iron stores are replenished. Discuss it with your doctor.  It is not something people on an internet forum can tell you.

huahualove

I had the same thing, they gave me the option to do a blood transfusion but I didn't want to stay in the hospital longer. You should take an iron complex supplement. It has iron and vitamin C in it which is needed for the iron to absorb properly. At my 6 week appointment I was just a point away from the low end of normal. I took the supplement 2x's per day and tried to eat a lot of red meats and green veggies. Good luck!!!

ericamanuela

Thank you for sharing. It helps to know that I'm not the only one going through this. I think after having a baby one feels extremely vulnerable. 

nikki2246

I had this also. I was a point away from needing a transfusion. I left the hospital having to take iron pills and was on them for 4 weeks ( taking a double dose). I was anemic when I was younger but had no issue while pregnant. I had emergancy surgery 4 weeks after my c section and while recovering from that the dr made me stop taking the iron pills because it was making it hard to recover from my surgery.

Your body is just run down and you should start feeling better soon.

ericamanuela

Did anyone experience tingling in hands and feet after waking up.