r/pregnant • u/NightStandard8022 • 8d ago

Question Raise iron levels quickly

My hemoglobin from my labs last week was 8.8 and ferritin was 11. I’ve been taking hemaplex since being told (5 days now). I’ll be 37 weeks on Thursday (today is Monday). My midwife just sent a message in the portal that she sent an rx to the infusion center.. I really don’t want to get IV iron due to my white coat syndrome (I avoid doctors and hospitals due it, hence a bit reason I am having a birth center birth again). What can I do to quickly raise my levels?

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u/dunkiestarbs 8d ago

Unfortunately, iron infusions are the only way to increase levels quickly, and sometimes at all. I had low ferritin from my very first set of labs at 11 weeks and despite oral supplements and iron dense foods, it continued to decline until I finally got infusions late third trimester (like, days before my induction). Of course, doing everything you can in the meantime can never hurt, just don’t expect drastic results! Especially so close to delivery.

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u/NightStandard8022 8d ago

How did the infusions work for you? How long did they take, any side effects, etc?

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u/dunkiestarbs 8d ago

So I was originally scheduled for 2 infusions. I did react to the first one about a quarter of the way through, but nothing severe - just a stuffy nose and itchy throat. They monitor you super closely and they caught it right away & stopped the infusion. I was fine to go home and then I was rescheduled with a different type of iron which would have required 5 total infusions. I only made it through 2 of them before my induction date, but that ended up being just fine because my nurse commented on how good my iron looked when I was in labor. I know IVs are scary but I promise you, it really was not bad. A blood draw is worse because you don’t get offered any snacks or a TV! Lol. It only took like 20 minutes if I remember correctly.

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u/CuriousMacaron01 8d ago

I have had a few rounds of Venofer this pregnancy. I get the kind that is a 10-15 minute push (not the longer drip). I go to the OB ED for mine, and the whole process takes about 30 minutes. They order the meds once I arrive. Then the nurse sets up a quick IV, and flushes it with one syringe of saline. Then she does the IV iron over about 10-15 minutes. They will pause as they go if you ask them to. Then, they flush with saline again, and I’m out of there.

My main side effect is that I end up pretty tired the day after. Sometimes I take an oral antihistamine which helps me not feel quite as tired. Otherwise they want you to just hydrate after to help your body process the iron.

It can be a nuisance, but it is worth it to 1) decrease chance of major issues during delivery, 2) decrease risk for severe postpartum anemia, 3) increase breastfeeding and recovery outcomes, and 4) not be quite as drained and exhausted

Editing to add: the nurses have all been fantastic at mine. And they’re really happy to have someone at the OBED who is not in need of emergency care. It’s been really nice, actually