Medical question please answer!?!
Question: Medical question please answer!.?
i am 37 weeks + pregnant and had my midwife check me over today. she got my blood test results today and my Hb level is 7. i have been anaemic with both pregnancies but this time it has dropped so much they are concerned. as my 1st child was 2 weeks early i could have this baby any day soon so they have told me i needed to have a emergency iron transfusion tomorrow which will mean i will have to stay in over night to be observed. the doctor didn't really go through it in detail just said they want to monitor me for side affects and possible epilepsy but that is all they said. now i have to phone in tomorrow to find out what time they want me in and that's it. i would like to know what will happen during the infusion. i am O+ blood type. isn't O blood type rare or in low supply.? what other side affects that can happen.? even with this infusion will it boost me enough before baby is born or am i still at risk of hemorrhaging.? please put my mind at rest. thanksHealth Question & Answer
Answers:
O+ is the most common universal blood group. The physiological change of an increased plasma volume during pregnancy causes haemodilution- this can give an artificially low Hb level. (An increase in blood volume helps in the exchange of respiratory gases, nutrients and other metabolic substances between the baby and the mother. It also increases perfusion of the uterus and kidney and it also compensates for the potential blood loss when you deliver.)
If Hb is 7, this is definitely indicative for iron therapy.The amount blood volume increased varies depending on the number of pregnancies you have had- it can be worse if this isn't your first pregnancy, which is why the urgent need for the transfusion.
If you have been anaemic with both pregnancies they should have been giving you iron supplements right from the start.? Anyway, there is nothing for you to really worry about, the transfusion should bring your levels back within normal range reducing the risks of complications.
Best wishes.
Edit
The Nurse's comment above is quite worrying, I presume she has made a typing error.? Iron Anaemia will of course put you at an increased risk of hemorrhaging. This is one of the main concerns!Health Question & Answer
If Hb is 7, this is definitely indicative for iron therapy.The amount blood volume increased varies depending on the number of pregnancies you have had- it can be worse if this isn't your first pregnancy, which is why the urgent need for the transfusion.
If you have been anaemic with both pregnancies they should have been giving you iron supplements right from the start.? Anyway, there is nothing for you to really worry about, the transfusion should bring your levels back within normal range reducing the risks of complications.
Best wishes.
Edit
The Nurse's comment above is quite worrying, I presume she has made a typing error.? Iron Anaemia will of course put you at an increased risk of hemorrhaging. This is one of the main concerns!Health Question & Answer
Registered NurseHealth Question & Answer
O blood type is something tht im sure u always worry about. Be careful though nt to stress to much as it cn enduce labor. Try to relax and now tht you are in capable hands. also the blood transfusion will help a lot. Good luck and hope you and baby are healthy.Health Question & Answer
O+ is known as O Rehsus + and its the most common blood group there is, the epilipsay is when your Hb level gets too low. googled it and it said it can cause early labour because of oxygen problems in babyHealth Question & Answer
first 0+ is the most common blood type, it is called the universal donor type. No worries there.
second, iron therapy is no big deal, they are only monitoring you to cover their backsides because you are pregnant.
third, yes, it will do what it is intended to do, boost your system. But don't think it will prevent hemmorage, that is a totally different issue.
If you didn't hemmorage before, you likely won't this time. Iron deficiency anemia doesn't mean you don't have enough blood, it just means the blood you have is low in iron, once replaced it isn't a problem and you have plenty of blood. If your hematocrit had been low, then they would be transfusing blood, not giving you iron. Relax, mom, you will be fine.Health Question & Answer
second, iron therapy is no big deal, they are only monitoring you to cover their backsides because you are pregnant.
third, yes, it will do what it is intended to do, boost your system. But don't think it will prevent hemmorage, that is a totally different issue.
If you didn't hemmorage before, you likely won't this time. Iron deficiency anemia doesn't mean you don't have enough blood, it just means the blood you have is low in iron, once replaced it isn't a problem and you have plenty of blood. If your hematocrit had been low, then they would be transfusing blood, not giving you iron. Relax, mom, you will be fine.Health Question & Answer
RNHealth Question & Answer