Ferrous gluconate aka Iron supplements!!

At my last visit with my midwife I was prescribed iron supplements, because although I'm not anemic nor had my levels dropped very low, but they were slightly under where they should be and she wanted to prevent them from going any further down. So I got prescribed an iron supplement, five wee tablets a day all at once and usually taken first thing in the morning. As per instructions I started taking them with a tall glass of water, and a bit of food - this was back last Tuesday (2nd of May). I was OK until this morning, woke up and showered, had my Weetbix and downed the tablets with the requisite glass of water. Got the rest of my things, ready, hopped in the car and began the drive to work (or in this case, Mums...)... got as far as the Harbour Bridge when trouble started.

This nausea was just as bad as the sickness I had in my first trimester, almost worse because the urge to vomit came on SO suddenly and lasted for ages - made it to mums (long story about how my transport arrangements are working until I get my carpark in town) and excused myself to the toilet... JUST making it in time Bye bye Weetbix ! Hardly kept down anything else for the rest of the day, except water, chocolate milk and some fruit (banana, apples, and some dried apricots). Came right in time for dinner, but I am dreading going through the same thing tomorrow.

After texting my midwife and doing a quick bit of research on the net it seems like it is a relatively common side effect (vomiting and nausea) of taking the iron supplement... but I'm left wondering why it only started now almost a week later, and was so strong ?? All my midwife really said ultimately was to keep my meals small and frequent, which I have been doing anyway in an effort to mini.... *Jax wanders off mid-sentence to light her oil burner with lavender in it before bed in case she forgets*

(Sorry, just wanted to do that as it helps me sleep and the last couple of nights have been particularly restless... takes a few minutes for the thing to really get going and then BLISS !.... )

Right... so was eating small meals anyway to minimise heartburn, and there don't seem to be a lot of other solutions.

Am just frustrated I guess, pregnancy seems to be a long list of bizarre physical complaints and annoyances, but I guess I just have to keep reminding myself that they are only short term - and look at what I get out of it in the end !

Not really sure if I'm asking for advice but welcome replies and similar stories as always



Edited by jax

5 tablets. I had to have iron supplements cause i have low iron and i only take 1 a day. Mine are called Ferrogradument and there fine no side effects at all.

Hi Jax! I had the same iron tablets when I was preggaz with Alex. I'm not sure if I got nausea from them since I already had the whole vomiting thing going on anyway but I had "digestive" problems with them that I have already told you about. Something that seemed to help me was taking them over the course of the day rather than all at once. It still brought up my iron levels but it wasn't so hard on the system.
Also preggy sickness has a way of coming back & biting you in the bum when your in the third trimester, or at least that is what I have found so it could just be that.
Not a huge amount of help I know, but I really hope it eases off for you soon!
Big Hugs!!!

i was prescribed Ferrogradument too, just one small tablet a day and had no side affects at all, not even constipation which i heard was one. i would ask to switch. why put yourself through more yuck? mine also wasnt because i was low in iron as such but my white?? blood cells werent forming properly or something.

Oh Jax you poor thing. My iron levels are low & my MW put me on Iron & Vitamin C Tablets, same as my2angels. Ive started taking them last friday but so far i have had no side effects. I only take one a day but have been told i can take two if i like. I usually have it at lunch time. It cost me $15.00 for 90 tablets, so that should last the rest of the way thru my pregnancy.

I've always had iron issues and pregnancy made them a lot worse. Preg number one I had ferrogradumet tablets and ended more blocked up than an Auckland motorway at rush hour. Not nice. Pregnancy number two the midwife put me on Clinicians FerroCarb (Available from a chemist or healthstore near you). It's a syrup that tastes like they are trying to make it chocolate and didn't cause nausea or constipation (yay!!). You have it by the ml so you end up having less than a teaspoon across the day and it doesn't taste sickly sweet like floradix (fake american cherry flavour). If you want to increase your iron absorbtion have a glass of OJ or something rich in vitamin C with your iron - it helps it to stick a little better.

Floradix isnt liquid its a tablet?! Tablets have a coating on them just like nurofen.

My midwife highly recommmended them as they are alot more nicer than most iron tablets and i have to agree they havent clogged me up and havent made me sick, i just have to remember to take them what with my awesome preggy brain at the moment lol

Edited by Jezsika

Jess, I think you can get Floradix in both liquid and tablet form. My sister doesn't like the taste of red meat, and at the age of 15 she really needs the iron! Mum got her some Floradix liquid so that she is still getting some iron in her diet.

okies cool i was like huh? mine dont taste like cherry lol