Dawn333
04-05-2005, 12:09 AM
I didnt know if this would be the appropriate place to ask this question.
Since a baby I have had hemoglobin issues being very low. My mammal is RH negative and uncertainity on my papals blood type. Would problems with hemoglobin from the RH factor affect second generations? My aunt was the only one that had to have a blood transfusion because she was also a rh factor. My mother however has 0+. Im assuming maybe that is what my papal had.
Thank you.
katkat2029
04-05-2005, 01:55 AM
well all i know is that rh factor u get a rhogaim shot after u give birth....and the rh is traced back to long long time ago....i have it worse cause i am rh negative and my blood type is O-...lol i dont know if i even helped wiht ur question
Dawn333
04-05-2005, 03:54 PM
kat- lol well alittle bit! I found out today she never had shots (while pregnant she was 100% natural with everything) shes like 78 years old. The doctor advised her after my mom was born she was tested with the rh factor. Then told her not to have anymore but she did anyways 6 of them. So she had it possiblity way before my mom. My mamals kinda weird she doesnt believe in man made medicines "shots".
Would something like that be tested as a "normal" test through pregnancy?
dazedandconfused1
04-05-2005, 10:11 PM
my mother also has the rh they told her after me witch im second child not to have any more she had six also i know that she had the rogain shots i know i was one she had shot with i also know i have 2 different blood types when im preg. and not weather it has anything to do with shots im not sure
Mum Of Two
04-06-2005, 06:34 AM
Since a baby I have had hemoglobin issues being very low. My mammal is RH negative and uncertainity on my papals blood type. Would problems with hemoglobin from the RH factor affect second generations? My aunt was the only one that had to have a blood transfusion because she was also a rh factor. My mother however has 0+. Im assuming maybe that is what my papal had.
Low haemoglobin results in the newborns of women who are RH-, and are carrying RH+ babies, where sensitisation has occurred. Being RH- and carrying an RH+ baby does not mean sensitisation will definitely occur - it is a risk however and can cause serious illness or death in an affected newborn (following sensitisation the effects are usually worse with each subsequent child).
From the information you've given, your papal was RH-, but his ABO grouping is unclear. Some of your mamal's later children may have been RH-, meaning they were unnaffected by any sensitisation. RH sensitisation does not affect the second generation.
It's not uncommon for haemoglobin to drop later in pregnancy, in fact it should. It's unclear how low your haemoglobin is. Some people naturally have a low haemoglobin and do fine. Low haemoglobin by itself does not consititute iron deficiency anaemia. What symptoms are you experiencing?
If you're breastfeeding and it does turn out you have iron deficiency anaemia, there isn't any need to panic - iron levels in breastmilk are small, but readily absorbed, and research suggests that maternal iron consumption doesn't affect the level in breastmilk.
This may help answer some of your questions:
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Iron_deficiency_adults?OpenDocument
Dawn333
04-07-2005, 06:47 PM
mum of two- terrific information!
To be honest my hemo runs anywhere 6-7.. If im not mistaken 13 and above is normal? They thought it had to do with my iron but when my doctor suggested iron tablets by prescription it causes instant nose bleeds (bad). No really symptoms other then the normal paleness (like the lips face, ect) and sluggishness. I am not pregnant Ive already had my kids. My pregnancies still showed hemo problems though it still hasnt changed.
Mum Of Two
04-07-2005, 08:58 PM
Glad I can be of some help!
Has your doctor done other tests on you such as ferritin and iron stores? While iron is the main component of haemoglobin, there are other causes of anaemia such as low B12 & folate deficiency. Anaemia shouldn't be confused with iron deficiency - there are several causes of anaemia. It pays to ensure you know exactly what is causing your problem before you start supplementing.
I was put on iron tablets, but stopped taking them as the gastrointestinal symptoms were worse than the fatigue I was experiencing.
Have you tried consuming more iron rich food? This is found in large quantities in red meat, but it is perfectly possible and safe for vegetarians to obtain enough iron through leafy green vegetables (despite popular belief, not spinach as it's high in oxalates), well-cooked legumes - especially chickpeas, and whole grains eg brown rice (although less commonly used grains such as millet are higher in iron, my daughter has millet porridge for breakfast every morning). Dried fruits such as apricots and prunes are also high in iron, and pumpkin and sunflower seeds are also good sources.
If you already consume enough iron, it's quite possible that you aren't absorbing it. Consuming adequate vitamin C will help the absorption, so drinking a glass of orange juice with a meal is a great idea. Don't overcook vegetables or use as this will destroy vitamin C & other minerals and vitamins, which are lost into the cooking water. The tannins in coffee and tea inhibit absorption, so don't drink these with meals. Calcium is another culprit, taking a calcium tablet with your breakfast for example will affect how much iron you absorb.
Another relatively unheard of trick, is to cook in a cast iron pot. The food will absorb readily usable iron from the pot itself. Acidic foods such as tomatoes will absorb the most, but it will boost the iron content of most any food simmered in it over time. I cook up grains for my daughter this way.
If all else fails, and you are consuming plenty of iron, maximising your iron absorption, and it turns out you are actually iron deficient (and your haemoglobin does not improve) then you should consider if there is another reason you are low in iron. Diseases like Crohn's and Celiac disease (gluten intolerance) can damage the small intestine, inhibiting absorption. Heavy periods and other sources of bleeding such as hemorrhoids and peptic ulcers can also result in anaemia.
I hope this helps some. Unfortunately I think it's par for the course for busy mums to be tired and lacking in essential nutrients. We work 24/7 and never get time to feed ourselves properly. ;)
Good luck!