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Pregnancy & Blood Iron Levels

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Posted 11/30/2007 2:05 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Girls, 

I have one more question regarding pregnancy & babies...  we have decided to start trying early next year, but my doctor mentioned something at my last visit and it just came to my mind. I am slightly anaemic at the moment, with haemoglobin level around 10 and ferritin only 3. She has started me on another course of iron tablets and folic acid and mentioned I should get my blood levels up before getting pregnant. How long will it take before the blood levels will back to normal again?

 

I am slightly worried that if I were to get pregnant with low iron levels, could it do anything to damage the baby? I am not seeing the GI doctor until February, so thought maybe I should make an appointment with my own doc to speak with him?

 

Apologies for the questions, but I am just slightly confused at the moment sad Thanks X

Posted 11/30/2007 2:20 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think it takes more than a few months. I've been anemic from UC, and also slightly anemic when I was pregnant with my first baby. The baby will take your iron and leave you to fend for yourself :) So I don't think it will hurt your baby. You just may be more tired than most if your levels are low. But definitely call your OB's office. You may not have to go in. I used to call the nurses with questions all the time. I hope it goes well for you.
Posted 11/30/2007 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
I am pregnant right now and have been anemic for most of the pregnancy. I take iron every day, and my hemoglobin is finally starting to rise. It's been hovering around 10.8. My OB said many, many women are anemic during their pregnancy. Like momhatesuc said, the baby takes your iron and you are on your own! Anemia doesn't pose any risk of birth defects unless it is VERY severe.

The folic acid is very important as low levels can cause certain birth defects. We tried to get pregnant for several years and I've taken folic acide the entire time. My GI said it is good for the UC, too, so taking it now can only benefit you and your baby when you ultimately get pregnant.
Posted 11/30/2007 3:00 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks for the quick replies ! It's a relief to know, I recon my doctor was just trying to talk some sense into me :) Anyhow, I'm on the iron tablest and folic acid at the moment, so let's hope the iron levels will be higher next month !

Expecting226, how is your pregnancy getting along ? Hope your UC is not flaring :-)

Posted 11/30/2007 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
My UC has been holding up alright. I was in remission for almost two years when I got pregnant. I flared during my first trimester and ended up on a 4 week taper of Prednisone. Thankfully, that put me back into remission, and I have been doing alright ever since. I am 28 weeks along now. I've had some bowel issues here and there - constipation from the pregnancy. That has been pretty funny to deal with since I am not used to it!

I also suffer from gastritis and that has really given me more issues during the pregnancy than anything. I stopped taking Nexium when I found out I was pregnant, and since that has been 7 months ago, I am starting to hurt in the stomach area. My OB said I can go back on it if I want, but I would prefer to wait it out. So, I just take Gaviscon for the heartburn and stay away from sauces and spicy foods.
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