Chronic Iron deficiency

Hi all!  I had RNY 4 years ago and about 3 years ago I started to have severe deficiencies, mainly iron deficiency anemia.  I've had serveral blood transfusions and have spent some time in the hospital on occasion because of this.  I've lost 186 lbs and currently am stable at 168lbs.

I just found out yesterday that we are 4-6 weeks pregnant.  Completely a surprise and unexpected!

When I went to the doctor yesterday,  my hemoglobin was at an 8.6 and he said when the baby starts to have a heartbeat and circulate more blood, it will drop another 3-4 points which is dangerously low.  He said the baby will deplete me of my resources first and take what it needs before becoming deficient themselves.  He said that he's going to try his darndest to prevent that from happening and I'm already coined as 'high-risk' and will be monitored very closely.  He said it won't cause development issues but it could cause low birth weight or premature birth.

So now they're trying to figure out what to do with me.

Has anyone had chronic iron problems and went on to have a healthy baby?

 

Me, Me , Me!

I have had IV iron infusions and blood transfusions through 3 post op pregnancies.

Advice? None other than make sure you have a standing order for labs monthly and that they give you iron BEFORE it drops too low.

YOu know your hgb, what's your ferritin?

In February, the last time a I had a transfusion, my pre-transfusion ferritin was a 4.  My docotr drew blood for a retic and ferritin count yesterday and I"ll know the results of those tomorrow.

Please tell me you are taking iron between transfusions.. yes?

I stopped taking my iron a few months ago because it was making me so sick.  I got laid off from my job and had no health insurance until just recently so couldn't go back into the doc to try something else...even though I've been on everything imagineable.  I started taking a prenatal last night with an extra dose of iron and folic acid. 

The doctor is thinking I just might have to do an iron IV infusion even though I react to them (become short of breath) rather than a blood transfusion this time.

Try carbonyl iron pills.. they aren't as bad.

Target can special order them in for you.  Cheap, too.

Thanks!  I'll check those out!  I'm just so worried about this baby staying in place and deciding they like it in there well enough to grow healthy and wait until 40 weeks to greet us!

Have they tried giving you venefor in the infusions?  It has much less reactions than infed and ferrlicit.  It is the only infusion I can get with having a severe anaphalactic reaction.

Same thing here. I'm almost 33 weeks preg and I have 2 infusions this week, 2 next week, and we'll do a full strength dose while I'm in the hosp after I give birth. I’ve had to get 2 of the pregnancy doses a month - but he's really been drinking the iron this month!! My Hematologist just keeps a great check on it and everything is taken care of. I enjoy going to get them actually, pregnancy dose is 1 hour of quiet and rest, and regular dose is 4 hours of rest! :)

I also do a b-12 shot every 3-4 days.