Low Iron

[carron81]

Hi

I had my section 5 weeks ago. All went well but lost a lot of blood and my iron levels went even lower (they were already low before i had baby). They were 10.3 before i had the baby then went down to 9.3 after baby

I was feeling dizzy in the hospital and they thought about doing a transfusion once a couple of days after the section but never as the dizzyness passed

I've felt dizzy on and off since coming home but the last couple of days i've been really dizzy and today I feel like you do when you get the flu. Muscles all achey and cold etc

Dont know if this is a result in lack of iron or maybe coming down with the flu. Just been for a hot bath and struggled to lift my leg out the water to turn the hot tap on

Has this happened to anyone else after having a baby wheter section or normal birth?

Going to call the midwife/HV on monday

[sherrardk]

Are you over doing things? I was like a whirlwind after my c section for my twins (and I had 3 other children) and I ended up with Glandular Fever about 6/8 weeks after I had them. I felt like I was dying - I could hardly move, all the skin peeled off my hands and feet and I was referred to the hospital for emergency heart tests. Ring NHS Direct to put you mind at rest (and then post on here so you can put our minds to rest).

[annie0000]

Are you breastfeeding carron? if so, sounds like it could be mastitus.

[carron81]

i would probably say i am. when i got home we had to move out for a couple of days as we unexpectically had to get new heating in the house. so for all the organising i had done to come home to the perfect house there was a fine layer of dust over everything then having to pack up cases for the 2 little ones was a pest

then my boyfriend had to go on a course whilst on paternitly leave and i don't have anyone to babysit my 20 month old or help out so i could take it easy. so its all been a hectic 5 weeks.

so probably need to just take it easy

i'll try my midwifes house tomorrow. there quite good like that where we stay

[karenmac60]

I had a normal delivery, but I lost a lot of blood too and my levels were down at 6. I had the same dizziness you are describing (went for a bath the day after the birth and nearly blacked out standing up to get out). I got a transfusion later that day and was on iron tablets for about 3 months afterwards. Did they never put you on iron tabs?

[PringlesQueen]

I would make an appointment to see your GP and request a blood test to check your iron levels.
Having a baby, let alone having a section and looking after a toddler too is tough work. By getting your levels checked at least you will know whether it is this or over doing it that is the root of the problem.
I had a blood transfusion after my section, and was on iron tablets for abour two months after my daughter was born.

[carron81]

hey

my midwife came over today and took blood and my blood pressure. my blood pressure is 58/50 so its very low and explains the dizzyness.

she also asked me if i'd been having sweats and nightmares and i have

[PringlesQueen]

Now thats what I call low blood pressure! No wonder you are feeling dizzy!

[carron81]

hi

had to type quick earlier, there was a little lady at my side thumping the keys!!!

squsalminney - god the thought of being on iron for much longer is such a thought.

i've been taking the tablets on and off since baby number 2 was born and was taking them up until a couple of weeks before the birth

i just cant cope with the side effects of them!!!

[PringlesQueen]

I too had horrendous side effects from iron tablets. I got my GP to change them from Ferrous Sulphate to Ferrous Fumurate, and had no problems after that.

[carron81]

i'll need to ask my doc about that. have my 6 week check on monday

the midwife mentioned liquid iron but said they tend not to prescribe that as its pricey.

i think i'd rather have the dizzyness over iron tablet side effects any day!!!!

[grasscarp]

I can give you advice on how to up your iron levels. I got some floradix which is a herbal tonic and tastes quite nice. No side effects and you can take it freely. Then there is Milo, a hot chocolate drink, which when made up with milk gives you 107 percent of your daily iron requirements. There are foods that are helpful including black grapes, steak etc = just google iron rich foods. So you can do wonders without even taking any iron tablets if you dont get on with them. Also folic acid tablets are good as they help to form red blood cells.

[annie0000]

When my son was recovering from an illness that caused him to be low in Iron, as well as Iron rich food and plenty of milk, we gave jim Minadex tonic as it has Iron as well as vitamins - he didn't seem to have any side effects (do you mean the poo issues?). Green leafy vegetables and red meat are the things you need.

[carron81]

hi

anyone who's had low blood pressure suffered with flu like symptoms? my hv said thats common along with nightmares.

i'm constantly feeling cold and get that weak way like you do in the build up to getting the flu

got my 6 week check this week so i'll see if my blood pressure has gone up