LOW IRON... 34w pregnant

I had extremely low iron (almost needed a transfusion) and it didn't impact my labour at all that I know of. This was my first pregnancy and I needed to take the iron pills for a couple months afterwards too.

okay that makes me feel better, I really hope it doesn’t affect labor since this time I’m going ti a birthing center instead of a hospital & really want this experience without there being a risk.
This is my second pregnancy but I’m thinking that since I didn’t wait long before getting pregnant again, it has been a contributor in the low iron as well as really bad náusea & morning sickness.

Add a reminder alarm on your phone. I had to take iron supplements my entire pregnancy because I was so low. No trouble with labor, but iron is important for the baby! Low iron in pregnancy is a risk factor for the baby having low iron later, mine is having hers watched at every appointment. Good luck! ❤️

Low iron is quite common in pregnancy. When you say 6.8 I assume that is your ferritin count? Ferritin measures your extra iron stores, but not the actual iron being used in your blood. 6.8 is pretty close to 7 which I believe is the low end of the norm.

They often give iron supplements anyway to pregnant women as a precaution because you are at very high risk for deficiency. But that's mostly you. The baby will not go without. They will leech your stores as much as they can, which is why keeping it up is important. At your number I wouldn't worry too much, my ferritin count was around 0.4 and I have a healthy, bright, inquisitive 12-week-old. 😅

When I got my prescription my GP told me she had literally just given out 2 more that same morning. It's very common and likely nothing to worry about.

Take iron, change your diet, B12 shots. I've had iron issues forever.

I had low iron. I've had a history of anemia for about 10 years, so I know I don't tolerate the pills well. They gave me iron transfusions, and it was amazing! I felt much more energetic after. A lot of stuff like vitamin levels are what-ifs. It might not affect your delivery, but in rare cases, it could. You should really try to take the pills or if you can't see about transfusions.

You can get an iron fish which you put in your cooking and take it out and rinse it and reuse and it’ll release small amounts of natural iron into your food, on Ama it’s called “lucky iron fish”
And start frying and cooking most foods on a cast iron pan/skillet. Get rid of the non-stick and learn to cook on cast iron

https://www.amazon.com/Iron-Designed-Reusable-Pregnant-Vegetarians/dp/B01LX5S5FP/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=20R6ZPXGKIIAD&keywords=lucky+iron+fish&qid=1707818976&sprefix=lucky+iron+%2Caps%2C332&sr=8-3

I just started with the alarms! So much better, hopefully I can get my levels up soon. Thanks!

it’s the HGB but it’s actually 8.6 but I was told I have to bring my levels up in order to have my baby at the birthing center. But I’m glad to hear that it didn’t impact your baby! & yes, baby has been leeching because this pregnancy I have lost weight 🙃

I’ll look into the b12 shots! Thanks! As of my diet, I have to really put in more effort as most of the time my appetite is close to none 😓

yeah I’ve been struggling taking the pills so I’ve been taking one in the morning & one later on in the day because I kept throwing up after taking them 😩 but I actually do think I’m going to get the iron transfusion. I need to get my levels up to stay in the birthing center. Did you get the transfusion while pregnant? Did you get it more than once?

thank you! Had never heard of this! I’m about to order!