anemia and delivery

brandonsbestgirl1 · August 2013

hi ladies! just wondering if any of you have experience with giving birth while anemic? i have freaked myself out since my last appointment when the ob says we will have to give you blood after you have your daughter. what are the complications of delivering vaginally while anemic? if i am anemic is the baby also ? i totally flaked and didnt get a chance to ask the ob just wanted to know other mothers experience with this. thanks in advance

smhiles · August 2013

I'm anemic too, but the doctor has never mentioned me needing any blood after delivery. You might want to call and ask to make sure you understand everything correctly.

brandonsbestgirl1 · August 2013

yeah ill give her a call. i was just curious about it makes me think she expects something to go wrong or something thanks!

SuperSecretStatus · August 2013

I have pregnancy induced anemia, and I'm currently on iron pills because they want my blood count to be in the 30s before I have my c-section/tubal combo done. If you need blood, they'll hang a bag and give it to you. There's nothing to be freaked out about.

roo1oo · August 2013

My understanding is the baby doesn't share your blood, so you being anemic doesn't necessarily equate to your baby being anemic. GL!

RedLucia · August 2013

I asked my OB some of these questions.

1) baby typically is not anemic, especially with pregnancy-induced anemia. My OB actually said, "go ahead and up your iron supplement, but the greedy placenta will probably just take more for the baby"

2) Anemia does not mean you will definitely bleed a lot and need a transfusion. Find out just how anemic you are. If you are in the 30s, you are better off than if you are under 30.

brandonsbestgirl1 · August 2013

thanks ladies i have an appointment tomorrow ill bring it up with her and see what the deal is. i am on a liquid iron suppliment bc the pills were just too big to swallow for me..i didnt even know there was such a thing til a pharmacist told me.

Glitteraati · August 2013

I was just told last week that I'm anemic and needed to start iron supplements, which I did. When I asked the nurse if there were any complications with this, she said no. I will definitely ask the OB at my next appointment though!

llybeck · August 2013

RedLucia said:

I asked my OB some of these questions.
1) baby typically is not anemic, especially with pregnancy-induced anemia. My OB actually said, "go ahead and up your iron supplement, but the greedy placenta will probably just take more for the baby"

2) Anemia does not mean you will definitely bleed a lot and need a transfusion. Find out just how anemic you are. If you are in the 30s, you are better off than if you are under 30.

I also have pregnancy induced anemia and my OB had me start taking an iron supplement. It completely worked, my numbers went up and I feel much better so I'm not sure why an OB would say it wouldn't help or to not try. My OB never mentioned needing a transfusion but as PP said, if you do need it, it's nothing to be scared about. It's not really a big deal. Make sure to call your OB and get all the details.

curlyq625 · August 2013

My ob just upped my iron to three pills daily plus my prenatal. He also mentioned I may need a transfusion but hopefully not. I lost a ton of blood with my son and received blood for three days until my hemoglobin became normal. It's really no big deal but you do have to go for HIV as well as hepatitis testing for 12 months prior to a transfusion. That part of it was a little unsettling but the odds are in your favor that you will be fine.

CNYBride05 · August 2013

I was not anemic and still required 2 blood transfusions post delivery. It's NBD.

kdjudd · August 2013

I was anemic during my last pregnancy. I gave birth with no problems though and I never had to get a transfusion. Perhaps your doctor meant that you might have to get one if there are complications?

skio · August 2013

I had pregnancy induced anemia and was severely anemic postpartum. I couldn't sit up without feeling like I was going to pass out. I was woozy for about two days and fatigued/pale for a couple weeks. I never needed blood.

SiaBia · August 2013

BUMP!

brandonsbestgirl1 · August 2013

talked to my ob she says that she was sorry she was not more clear. i will only need a transfusion if i loose too much blood i am also hypoglycemic so what she meant was that they would have blood on hand if i needed it for any reason. i think i was just confused bc i had to sighna form saying it was ok for them to give me blood after delivery and took it as i would def have to have it. thanks for the input gals!