I have been anemic since I became pregnant the first time. I don't eat much meat, and I guess I haven't been taking great care of myself with work, school & the 3 little angels. I was having headaches pretty bad & I got one that wouldn't go away, so I went to the Dr. they did blood work and found out that my hemoglobin (supposed to be 12) was 6. Meaning I had half the red blood cells in my body than I should have! I had to be admitted into the hospital for a blood transfusion & a whole bunch of tests to see why I was losing so much blood. I still have one more set to do this week and next week, but in the meantime I am increasing my iron consumption with pills and food. If nothing shows up in any of the tests that I am bleeding anywhere on the inside, they said that it's probably just my menstural periods, since they have been heavy since the birth of my youngest daughter.
No one ever told me that it could get that bad if your iron was too low! I always thought anemia was nothing serious, just take a little iron & go on with your life. My OB never worried how low my iron was when I was pregnant. He just had me take a supplement & didn't worry even when it was still low!
Just thought I would share that with any of you who may have low iron. I ended up in the hospital for 4 days & their daddy had to take off work to stay with them, what an ordeal! I have to eat 5 times & go every week to have my blood count done. It isn't even over yet. Pregnant women-eat your red meat & take your vities!! LOL :-)

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, October 9, 2003 - 01:13 am:

Wow!! 6??? Even after a c-section, my hemoglobin only went down to 8, which is still pretty low. I took iron pills for a while after each birth, since I did have 2 c-sections. I have no idea what my hemoglobin is, but everytime it's ever been checked, it has been within normal limits. I know, after that first c-section, having a hemoglobin of 8 made me feel pretty tired and worn out. I think with the second c-section, it only went down to 11. My own doctor did the second c-section and I don't think I lost as much blood the second time. (I think he was a better surgeon, if you want my honest opionion.

Hope you are feeling better soon!

By Karen~moderator on Thursday, October 9, 2003 - 08:31 am:

I've been anemic most of my life. My hematacrit and hemoglobin are always low. Low seems to be *normal* for me. However, last time I saw my PCP, she told me to take slow-release iron 3 times a week. That and B complex vitamins help a lot.

By Marg on Thursday, October 9, 2003 - 08:38 am:

I also would get anemic when I was pregnant (each time). They would also give me the iron pills which worked but it made me sick on my stomach.

Hope you feel better soon also ((((HUGS)))

By Anonymous on Friday, February 27, 2004 - 09:42 pm:

Women please be careful, I had surgery to take out one of my tubes, the doctor screwed up, and I bled so much they werent sure I was gonna be ok. Ever since then my periods make me hemmorage every month to the point I end up in the ER but I cant find a doctor to fix the screw up because I have too many other medical problems. I started at birth with shots called (gamma goblin) until I was 11, but now Im back to being a severe anemic and get this allergic to iron!

By Coopaveryben on Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 12:11 pm:

I have had an iron problem my whole life and the doctor prescribes iron that makes me sick. When I was pregnant it was worse, I was soooo tired and I would break out in sweats and get really dizzy because my blood pressure was dropping. I remember when I was pregnant and right after they were born I was just wishing I could remember how it was to feel "normal " again. I also had the slow release iron.....but honestly didn't take it I was too scared from past experience with iron pills. But after hearing they work I may try them even though I am feeling better

By Annie2 on Sunday, February 29, 2004 - 01:53 am:

Why the anon post?

By Karen~moderator on Sunday, February 29, 2004 - 10:01 am:

Anon, please review the posting guidelines regarding the use of the Anonymous feature.