Anemia?

My doctors office called today with the results of all the blood work they did last week. I passed my glucose test with flying colors, YAY ( I was worried about that as my mom had GD) However they discovered that I am anemic. I sort of knew this, bc I went through this when I was in high school, but they didn't act like it was a big deal then. So now they are putting me on iron pills, which the nurse said could cause constipation, which is one pregnancy symptom that thank goodness I haven't dealt with yet.

Has anyone else been through this?? Are the pills really hard on the stomach??? I really don't understand what effect anemia has on pregnancy(could it cause any problems withthe babies?) so anyone who knows anything I would really appreciate.
I look forward to reading responses

Shannon

 

i have to take extra iron.. if ur anemic it takes longer for you 2 stop bleeding.. i think
with the bm.. it bothered me for a month.. then not so much anymore... its just another pill 2 take 4 me..

 

Hi Shannon,

I am on iron pills and have been since 11 1/2 weeks...(my anemia was caused by some internal bleeding)

I find the iron pills not too bad to handle...alot of ladies seem to take it with orange juice.

From what i understand (but i could be wrong) is that you want your blood count to be a high as possibly normal...during pregnancy your body produces more blood than normal to help the babies grow, and supplies the uterus with all of the blood. So by being on the iron pills ot helps to produce the red blood cells

I was told to try to take them on an empty stomach so your body can absorb as much as possible, but sometime this is not possible...but you dont want to take it with cereal, milk, tea.

I really hoped that this has helped out a bit

Christine

 

I too am anemic. I take iron pills and am doing ok so far with them. I also add dried apricots as they are high in natural iron and iron that is absorbed easy to do mention they have alot of fiber for keeping you regular.
Tofu is also a high source of iron.

Here is a great link that has alot of info, and lists good natural iron to help.

http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahe...regnant/aip.cfm

 

When I was pg with the twins they had me on extra iron...not sure if I was tested anemic though... I took them with OJ too.. I think my doc recommended that. It's important b/c the baby can become anemic too...

 

I had to take iron prior to surgery a few years ago & had HORRIBLE GI side effects. This time around, I take a different KIND of iron. It's called SLOW FE...I got it at Walmart, but I think it's at Walgreens too. It's much easier on the GI system & I have had NO problems whatsoever. I have Irritable Bowel (pre-preg), so I take fiber, but have not had to increase it b/c of the iron at all.

Good luck. Hope the iron is nicer to you than my last experience with it!

 

I am on extra iron as well. I take the pill before bed because that's the only time I will remember to take them. My OB told me if I take them with my largest meal of the day then it's better on the stomach. If you get constipated you can always take a colace with the pill. Colace is a stool softner and safe to take during pregnancy but always double check with your OB before adding a new med in. (It's over the counter.)

Yes it can affect your babies. Being anemic increases your bleeding times. It also makes it easier to start bleeding. If you were to have a placental abruption (even a small or minor one that may have gone unnoticed) it can quickly cause you to bleed too much. Please take the extra iron. After a few weeks you will see an increase in your energy level.