Low iron levels during labour

[sconeonamission]

The midwife the other day told me I need to up my iron levels . When I had my GD test, they obviously did a FBC (full blood count) and my level was 90 something.

She told me they like it at the very minimum - 100.

So she's given me a list of foods to eat. But she's told me if I still have low iron, that I'll have to have a cannula in during labour.

What is the cannula for? Will it be attached to an IV? What is the need of it?

[Little Chicken]

Probably just in case you bleed, because you might not have a lot of reserve and might need a transfusion earlier then someone with normal heamoglobin levels. I doubt you will be connected to an iv.

[Jaycee]

Have you been taking iron tablets? I just had my GD test and my iron levels came back quite low, my midwife has me taking 2 tablets a day to ensure the levels are acceptable when I give birth.

[Khaleesi]

I had low iron levels for DD2 birth & i had the cannula just in case i had bleed.
I wasn't connected to an IV but they had it all set up & in the room

[~Gee_Whizzy~]

Wow 100 minimum?? I'm surprised im still walking around then ? my iron level was at 7 at 28weeks (anemia) and my ob and gp both told me to start taking iron supplements which i did and my levels are now within normal range (100+) i was told the min level was around 22 by gp/ob/and ob's midwife . there was never any mention of a cannular during labour..

[MrsFabuloso]

I would say it would be in case you haemmorrage after labour. I am prone to anaemia and haemmorage during pregnancy and birth and have to have a cannula in when I am in labour, JIC. I also have terrible veins which are difficult to find at the best of times, and when I haemmorage they are nearly impossible to get to. If you do have one put in, make sure it's in a good place, definately NOT the crook of your elbow. The best place for me is kind of in the back/side of your wrist below your thumb. That way you will still have most range of movement and can hold things without too much trouble.
As far as I have been told (as recently as my last birth a few weeks ago), iron levels of around 110 are pretty normal. Anything below 80 and you could be a candidate for a blood transfusion. So 90 is pretty low considering you haven't lost any blood or anything. I am surprised the nurse didn't advise you to take iron tabs. If I were you I would definately be asking a professional (doctor or midwife) about it as soon as you can. I tend to get anaemic when pg too, and started taking iron through this pg when my iron levels dropped to 102.
Good luck hun, and take care.

[Olive]

negrita there are different levels for iron and for haemoglobbin (i think thats how it works) so the lower number that you're talking about is iron the higher one scone is talking about is actual blood count

[~Gee_Whizzy~]

negrita there are different levels for iron and for haemoglobbin (i think thats how it works) so the lower number that you're talking about is iron the higher one scone is talking about is actual blood count

Ohhhh ok! i was getting worried that my careproviders didn't know what they were talking about - thank you for clarifying!!

[Kazbah]

with my pregnancy i was low iron - i was down to 92 I think? now that's the actual haemoglobin count - the oxygen carrying part of the blood. anything less than 90 is a referral out of the family birth centre. there are 3 options to increase it - diet is not an option, it's a given. the 3 are : supplements, injections or infusion. they can also do a transfusion if really necessary, but that's not preferred. supplements - i get nausea with ferrotin or other tabs, so took spatone twice a day. that increased me to 96 and out of danger zone, albeit lower than desired. the injections stained my butt - i still have the stain from 2007 there. 3 injections to increase it. and the infusion is a day surgery type, and that gave me an allergic reaction. do confirm what they want, and have a look at the liquid iron supps as they don't cause constipation as much.

good luck.

[MrsFabuloso]

Yeah, I agree with Kaz, the liquid supps are best for constipation. I have had it before as well as injections which were hrrible! They hurt and gave me bruises on my butt which lasted a year. The injection sites still hurt today if I press on them. I have just been taking ferrous grad C (iron with vit c) tabs and eating lots of iron rich foods after my hammorhage this time though, and have lots of fruit and veg and sometimes metamicil if I need to (toprevent the constipation). It will be slow to recover, though I am feeling fairly well considering my hemoglobin levels are still pretty low (about 84 I think!). Talk with your health care provider though and they can advise you.

[sconeonamission]

I'm taking liquid iron stuff (floradix or something), then was given a list of foods to help with iron intake because I said I had (and I still do) have absolutely no energy.

I'll ask on Wednesday to see what they want to do, and I'll get back to you!