I went along to the hospital to see my consultant following last week’s growth scan for the twins. As always, finding a parking space was a joy except it wasn’t and the whole fuss and bother of waiting and looking for a place to leave the car took longer than my journey to the hospital. Still, I suppose if that is my only gripe then I shall consider myself lucky.
Clinic was running a little behind schedule but the wait wasn’t as long as I had expected it to be. I saw a new doctor yesterday, another on my consultant’s team, who was once again ever-so lovely. I feel so very lucky to be under the care of such pleasant and nice professionals who make me feel at ease.
All the checks for the babies were fine. Both are growing well, my uterus now measuring 33cm and both babies have remained in a head down position since last week’s scan. The doctor looked over the scan results and stated how everything looked perfect, with no cause for concern at all. Then we discussed how I have been feeling, to which I explained that I had been a lot more tired and feeling exceptionally unwell the last couple of weeks in particular. I assume, I told her, that my hb levels had dropped but I wasn’t sure as the midwife hadn’t informed me of my blood test results.
The doctor left the room to find out and returned with the news that indeed they had dropped, from 9.3 in the first trimester to 8.5. This is not a good level to be at and most certainly does explain why I have been feeling so dreadful and uncontrollably sick, tired and breathless. We have four weeks of the maximum dosage I can take of folic and ferrous tablets and if there is no improvement it looks like iron infusions are a real possibility as these levels really do need to be brought up.
I’m not quite sure what the infusions will involve. As far as I am aware they take a while to work through via IV and while I am not averse to having the infusion as I feel so awful, I am going to make a concerted effort to take my pills as prescribed and see what happens. I’m not holding out much hope that my body will suddenly start absorbing the iron like we need it to though. Wish me luck.
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Tania,
Sending hugs as I know how awful you must be feeling. I am actually booked in to have my iron infusion today..eek! I have had a hb hovering around 8.8 since I was 7 wks I'm now 22 wks and 2 days. Not sure what they are at present as had it checked Fri but haven't had the results yet. This is the third time I have needed to have an infusion and my advice to you would be to try and get it done sooner rather than later as it takes a good 3 weeks to fully take effect. One of the side effects of low hb is a greater risk of PPH. Generally other than feeling even more sluggish for a day or two afterwards I am fine. Hoping the same is true this time as my DH is away tomorrow eve and Fri on business:-( well I better go and get ready as I'm booked in for 8.30, will try and drop you an email later.. am borrowing hubbys iPad to stop me getting bored!!!
Hope you feel better soon
Sam x
Oh poor you! I hope it goes well today and doesn't leave you feeling too rough over the next few days. More importantly I hope it brings your levels up. This iron business is really draining, isn't it?! Let us know how you get on.
Glad to hear all is well with the babies. Sorry to hear that you have such low iron levels. That explains your tiredness & headaches etc. I hope you can get your levels up and not have to go through an infusion. Xx