Now I'm Anemic

IamMom · #1 January 15th, 2009, 01:03 PM

So I had a routine OB appointment yesterday and they tested my iron - I was 30 - the doc said at 32 they start giving supplements - he said not terribly low but low enough for the pills....he said they will cause constipation - just what I need more tummy troubles. I've only taken one pill and today I felt like I had to go this morning but couldn't - I pushed so hard I had a bit of brown blood....so I just gave up - now I feel all stopped up - can this be happening already after one pill or is it mental? Nurses help!

Am I all alone in this - or are there any other preggos taking iron right now??? I feel like every little thing with my body is out of whack...I don't know what to eat for all these different ailments...amenia, high blood pressure and diabetes all the diets are so different ---- I just am upset and hormonal I guess....ahhhh

SandKmommy · #2 January 15th, 2009, 01:26 PM

I have to ask my doctor to test sense WIC didn't do it the other day but I'm wondering if thats whats up with me. I don't remember being tested later in pregnancy with Seamus just at the beginning but I had low iron (wast at a 5 they wanted 7 or higher) after he was born. I've been so dizzy, pukey, headaches and all I want to do is sleep, some days I'm lucky to be awake for 10hours.

Frozendesire · #3 January 15th, 2009, 01:35 PM

I was taking iron pills, but I actually didn't see too much different in my #2s. But then again mine are usually very loose and then they were a bit more solid in pregnancy. I also farted ALOT but I don't know if that was do to iron, pregnancy or whatever!

Mars · #4 January 15th, 2009, 01:48 PM

I'm not had to supplement for iron but I've heard that some doctors recommend a laxative when they give you the iron tablets to help with the constipation. I don't know of any foods off-hand but maybe you could ask your doc or a pharmacist for laxative. I hope someone else here can help.

#5 January 15th, 2009, 01:52 PM

Stinky Stephy

Try to counter-act the constipation by eating more fibre. Wholemeal bread and pasta, fibre breakfast cereals, porridge oats, fresh fruit & veg & juice, WATER!!!jacket potato (the skin is the fibre part!). Defaintely water!!!!

Angelaosaurus-rex · #6 January 15th, 2009, 02:12 PM

I was anemic after I gave birth. They put me on iron supplements but I stopped taking them because my poop was horrible! What I did was just eat more stuff with iron, like steak and sunflower seeds. It worked and my poop didn't get as bad.

#7 January 15th, 2009, 02:28 PM

My m/w hinted at the probability of me needing iron supps after delivery. It'd be a nightmare for me as I have toilet trouble already as you do!

soImarriedAnerd · #8 January 15th, 2009, 04:36 PM

Google foods high in iron and get more of those in! I can't take Iron pills my poop is green and hard in like 12hours, It sucks. Raisins are great in iron (and so portable and easy to snack on)

**Jenn** · #9 January 15th, 2009, 07:55 PM

I had to take iron pills during my pregnancy with Liam and after both his and Lochy's births. It was recommended to me to take the slow release iron (it's called Slow FE) and it made a world of difference in my number 2's!

IamMom · #10 January 16th, 2009, 06:57 AM

Thanks for the support and the advice....I'm going to give it a few days and see how it goes...I have an appt Tuesday with the specialist (and my big U/S!!!) and I'll talk to them about it too....maybe they'll have some suggestions on how to eat right for all my ailments!

lauren in hi · #11 January 16th, 2009, 07:05 AM

I've been on iron since week 20 or so. I was on it last time, too. When I was trying to pass my GD test, I was eating more complex carbs, nuts & veggies, all of which made me poo a lot. I know last time I had a stool softener, but I can't remember if it was during pregnancy or post-partum.

I don't have anemia per se...I've been borderline in the past before, though, but I do have a different type of anemia that has nothing to do w/ iron.

ScottishBrit · #12 January 16th, 2009, 10:05 AM

I Had HORRIABLE constipation during my entire pregnacy and they had me on Iron Pills cause I was very enimic ( doesn't help that I dont eat meat ) so I had to take them. I had to take them after as well but I figured out, threw trial and error that I was giving Cambria Gas so I had to stop. No matter what I ate I could never get enough fiber or Iron to fix the problem. Ive been enemic for Years though so Ive just delt with it....

*Anna* · #13 January 16th, 2009, 05:19 PM

Ohhh I just had a check for anemia- and hope I'm not. But I eat alot of prunes. They aren't bad, I buy the individually wrapped ones, and have a couple a day. Not bad, and help with the poo situation! And lotss of water

Good luck hun!