If You Became Anemic PP

phq2011

Title: If You Became Anemic PP

How are you dealing with it? How long does it take iron supplements to work? I am exhausted all the time, weak, and struggling to recover. My doctor says to add an iron supplement (Why didn't they mention this in the hospital when they found out I was anemic????)  but I know nothing about them. Also, do you experience a burning pain in your muscles? Just trying to it out. Thanks.

rp-chicago-mom

The burning pain is not enough oxygen getting to your muscles. That's the hemoglobin's job. What are your hemoglobin levels? One thing to do is take your iron with orange juice. The vitamin c helps your body absorb it.

Also supplements are great but your body processes iron best from food. Good sources are:

Red meat
Clams
Eggs
Oats
Spinach
Other dark greens
Pumpkin seeds / pepitas
Dried apricots
Prunes
Guinness

If you eat the non animal products with iron, in order for your body to access it, you need to heat it and you need to add vitamin c. Like sauted spinach with a little lemon. Or add dark greens to tomato sauce. Also if you have a cast iron skillet and make something acidic in it, the acid will pull some of the iron from the pan into your food. Chili with beef, red kidney beans and kale is packed with iron.

Take it easy, take your iron. Be sure you're not overdoing it on calcium or tums because it can block the absorption of iron. I've been reeeesaly anemic before. It totally sucks!

Reilly626

I too was diagnosed with it. I am iron pills and seeing a hematologist every 3 months. Also trying to eat more red meat I'm not one to normally eat it. I have to watch constipation too : it does make it hard when your so tired anyway from the baby.

poppyseed1017

I'm taking an iron supplement since I hemorrhaged and levels were/are still low. I take one iron pill a day and the doctor told me to ear meat and leafy greens.

HeartsOnABand

I became anemic in the ending weeks of my pregnancy and then during my csection I lost a massive amounts of blood. I was very weak for about 2 weeks PP and I'm finally feeling back to my normal self. I'm on prescription iron meds and have been since my delivery. I was also told to eat plenty of meats and greens.