Iron in pregnancy

[rose]

Hi,
My iron level dropped to 11 at my 26 week blood test. Just boarder line, but I have been feeling tired and not a lot of energy chasing 3 children.

My question will I feel the effect of the extra iron, and how long will it take to feel the effect of the iron tablets?

Thanks

[LimeSlice]

I had to go on iron supplements for a while also...and to be honest I couldnt really 'feel' the difference. I was still working on my feet for 16=hours a day so I was always tired anyway! lol
Generally though if you take extra iron, you willhave very very dark or black stools, when you see that the iron is working
That's prolly not much help lol
GL and hope you feel better!

[sasha]

My iron levels were about that as well when I first fell pregnant with this baby - and I know exactly what you mean about tired (and I only had one child to chase around!!). I went on iron tablets and felt the results within about 2 days. Make sure you're eating lots of fibre, though, and drinking water - it can make you quite constipated.

I have been taking another supplement instead at the moment, a liquid called Floradix, you can get it from health food stores. It's much better for not causing the constipation, and tastes OK, I had it after S was born and I needed a bit of a boost.

[mountain mummy]

Hi Rose

I posted about this in our due date thread as well ... I also chase 3 kids around, and to be honest, even when I only had 2 (during my 3rd pregnancy) I never felt any effects of taking extra iron - my energy levels didn't increase or anything. I was put on iron supplements due to thrombocytpenia (low platelets and haemoglobin count) and it still didn't raise those levels very significantly. But apparently, it keeps bubs healthy!

[blackstar]

Apparently iron is better absorbed when you take it with a drink of orange juice or something with Vit C, and not absorbed well if you have it with caffiene in your system or with milk.
If you're body is absorbing the iron (and it is low iron that's making you tired) you should feel it within a few days.
Hope you get more energy! Tiredness all the time sux!

[amberj]

Just a note- if you are looking for iron suppliments without all the nasty side effects, try Spatone. You can get it from health food stores, and its saches of ironised water. Taken with orange juice you can't even taste it and you get better absorption because of the vit C in the OJ!

It is, however, expensive- probably about $1 a day. Blergh.