anyone with anemia?

Water_Wedding · September 2010

I thought anemia was supposed to be fairly common during pregnancy but my search doesn't pull up any posts about it. I'd like to hear from people who are anemic, how they feel, what the doctor asked them to do and if any of them managed to get rid of it by the next appointment.

I'm surprised I've become anemic (10.5) since my hemoglobin was on the upperend when I became pregnant. I feel like a medicine cabinet. I've got the prenatals and my doctor has everyone begin iron supplements at 24 weeks, my chiropractor asked me to take omega-3 to support joints and heart, I have to take rolaids for gas/heartburn every few days and now the nurse that called with the results said to take add another iron supplement pill.

The worst thing I've had for the last 6 or 7 weeks is heart palpitations. My pulse goes to 140 shortly after breakfast every day if I don't lay down. I get dizzy, lightheaded, weak and tired some days. My motion sickness (always had) has become difficult to control during these weeks too.

I want the anemia to go away but I don't feel like there's much I can do unless I start eating steak as an afternoon snack. I eat meat at every dinner and I eat a bowl of beans about four times a week.

Mrs.Johns · September 2010

I got b/w results back that were anemic and so my mw put me on SlowFE. You aren't supposed to take it around any calcium but I take it with my PNV anyway b/c otherwise I forget. I figure it's better than nothing.

I was feeling like crap. Horrible energy level, not sleeping. Just feeling very blah. As soon as I added in the iron I feel a ton better.

ChibiMommy · September 2010

I've been anemic my whole life. There are other things you can eat besides steak or meat. Pumpkin and broccoli are both high in iron.

MassageMomma2010 · September 2010

I was told I was borderline anemic. MW advised me to start taking Floradix iron supplements 3 times a day. No issue since.

I notice when I don't take it I am extremely tired and I bruise easily. I'd really like to avoid any PP bleeding issues due to the anemia, so I try to stay on top of the Floradix. It tastes gross though.

mariagome03 · September 2010

I have been told to take my iron supplement with orange juice rather then water, as it helps with the iron absorbtion. I have had anemia with all my pregnancies and I was given a prescription iron supplement. My iron level has been as low as 6 very, very low. With my second I had to have a blood transfusion after delivery. No matter what I did I stayed anemic the entire pregnancy and for a few months after baby was born.

kehgirl · September 2010

Mrs.Johns:
I got b/w results back that were anemic and so my mw put me on SlowFE. You aren't supposed to take it around any calcium but I take it with my PNV anyway b/c otherwise I forget. I figure it's better than nothing.

I was feeling like crap. Horrible energy level, not sleeping. Just feeling very blah. As soon as I added in the iron I feel a ton better.

Same here.

Jeanette1120 · September 2010

Been anemic my whole life so I've just kind of learned to deal with it. My dr prescribed a prenatal, Citrical Natal, with an iron supplement and low dose stool softner since I found out I was pregnant. However, after my 1 hour GD my dr upped my iron supplement. This was last Wednesday so I haven't really felt much of a difference yet. Im still super tired and occasionally lightheaded. I didnt know motion sickness was a byproduct but I guess it kind of makes sense. I dont think you should expect for it to go away by your next appointment. My dr. told me that the extra iron will help prepare me for labor. I miscarried last year and had to stay in the hospital a couple of days because my blood pressure was too low and I passed out a few times. So, make sure you take the extra iron you will need it when it comes time to deliver the baby. You can also try eating extra vitamin c rich fruits, like citrus, raisins as snacks and lentils are all iron rich. Also, try to minimize your caffeine intake since it basically blocks your ability to absorb iron.

czaja125 · September 2010

I've been taking Bifera (sp) which is a one a day over the counter.

munkifun25@yahoo.com · September 2010

I have been anemic since my gastric bypass. In the begining of my pregnancy I was just taking small amounts of iron and prenatals. Now in the last few months after going to the hematologist, I am on liquid iron. I take 6.5 ml 3x a day w/ OJ & 500 mg Vit C. So I totally understand your feeling like a medicine cabinet. Although my energy levels are way better now after the liquid iron.

Water_Wedding · September 2010

Thanks for the posts. I'm learning a lot. I didn't realize broccoli and pumpking were iron rich. I had never heard of caffeine blocking iron's absorption. Some days I'll have three sodas; it's under 150 mg so I figured it didn't matter. I'll cut down on that. The tricky part is that the iron can't be taken with food or the prenatal. Now that I take two iron pills they can't be taken together either. BTW I didn't get motion sickness because ofte anemia. I've always had it and been able to focus/control it. Now that I feel dizzy, weak, faint it's very hard to keep it together so I end up nauseous when someone else drives. I'm worries that I'll be a mess on my flight Saturday. I'm visiting family for my shower. Thanks for sharing! I'm learning a lot and I can see now how unlikely it will be to get rid of the anemia when the baby is growing so much at this point.

LILBIT1221 · September 2010

I am, I am always borderline but when i go and get myself knocked up I go full blown. Right now I am on Integra Fe. As far as how I feel, well I was told that Anemia increases BHC...Check, Fatigue, Check...and dizziness....check.

JaimeCH · September 2010

My OB recently told me that I am mildly anemic. I was feeling dizzy, weak, and just exhausted all of the time. I take an iron supplement in the morning with my breakfast, and try to take it with OJ if my heartburn is feeling up to it as folic acid helps the body absorb iron. I also take my prenatal vitamin at night before bed. I find that I feel so much better now. Before I started taking additional iron, I would go home from work and just want to crash out on the couch, and now I feel like I can get things done around the house.

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