Iron requirements during pregnancy

[M D]

I had an Ob appointment on Monday and he said my iron levels were a little low and to eat more red meat. The problem is I really don't like red meat much and struggle to eat dinner at the best of times as I am just not hungry.

I take a pg multi vitamin atm, should I start taking an iron tablet as well? I just don't want it to get worse and make me more tired. I will bring it up with the Ob again at my next appointment in 1.5 weeks but just wanted to hear your thoughts.

[Heaven]

Yes, I would start taking an iron tablet aswell. It's important for your iron levels to be up by the time you give birth. I take the blackmores multi and also an iron tablet.

[Reet]

My iron levels came back at 114 when they were meant to be 115 or over... so only just under. The ob. told me they wld get worse and to take an iron tablet each day cos the 'little vampire wld just keep sucking the life out of me'.. and those were his words too! He suggested Fefol from the chemist and not to go with the supermarket iron tablets cos they only have 5mg of iron whereas the Fefol has a lot more. They were only $12 for 30 tablets.. i think im just going to take 1 every 2nd day.. hopefully that boosts me back up! Ive heard they can cause constipation which i so dont need so i better up the fruit!
Good luck kts!

[M D]

Thanks girls, I think a trip to the Chemist/Health Food shop is required.

Did either of you suffer many side effects and how long till you started to feel better?

[Arimeh]

I started taking iron tablets when I found myself being really lethargic and it was hard to move - a total effort.

I got ones from the chemist, and no constipation issues at all, but I do feel much better. I also introduced meat into our diet just two days a week because we were following a vegetarian diet before that.

[Heaven]

Nope, no constipation or anything here either

[Jaycee]

I would definitely start taking an iron tablet.

I am having to take 2 tablets a day as my iron levels were extremely low, if they're still as low at my next appointment I will need to have an iron transfusion.

I've had a little trouble with constipation, but that's more likely due to the fact that I need 2 tablets a day, but I have been able to combat the problem by taking some fibre tablets too and all is good

[M D]

AE & Jaycee - what brand do you take? and what dosage?

[allycat06]

I find the liquid supplements are more easily absorbed into the body than tablet forms. Try floradix, you can get it at healthfood stores, won't make you constipated eiher.

[Jaycee]

My problem is - I KNOW I have low iron, but I just can't bring myself to pay money to fix me...

Please don't let money get in the way of your health. I know it can be expensive to buy these vitamins and supplements, however my midwife was very concerned about my iron levels, she basically said if they weren't fixed and I were to bleed a lot I would be severely compromised, basically meaning it could be life threatening! Not to mention it taking longer for my milk to come in and also generally feeling more lethargic than normal too.

The ferro-grad that I'm on costs $14 for 30 tablets, and the recommended intake is only 1 per day so $14 a month isn't too bad