Saturday, August 17, 2013

Iron Injections

We received an unscheduled update from SCI:

We hope you are doing fine.
We would like to inform you that Meera's iron levels are low and due to intolerance of high dose of oral iron we are planning to give her iron injections.

Please note that the Iron injections are given as 6 doses each in saline slowly over 4 - 6 hours.
This has to be given in a fully equipped hospital -- as the risk includes anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction causing among other things inability to breathe) so needs to have emergency care faclities and and medical staff available within seconds.

Each injection is given as a day care procedure.
We are happy to inform you that Meera is doing fine and your baby is also growing well.

We will keep you updated with further progress.
With Best Regards,
Yogita
SCI Healthcare

First and foremost, we are glad that Meera and the baby are fine.  I had heard that iron deficiency was common in pregnancy.  The internet says that about half of all pregnant women develop iron-deficiency anemia. The following is taken from babycenter.com:

Your iron requirements go up significantly when you're pregnant. Iron is essential for making hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to other cells. During pregnancy, the amount of blood in your body increases until you have almost 50 percent more than usual. And you need more iron to make more hemoglobin for all that additional blood. You also need extra iron for your growing baby and placenta.
Unfortunately, most women start pregnancy without sufficient stores of iron to meet their body's increased demands, particularly in the second and third trimesters. If you get to the point where you no longer have enough iron to make the hemoglobin you need, you become anemic.
Your risk is even higher if you have morning sickness severe enough to cause frequent vomiting, if you've had two or more pregnancies close together, if you're pregnant with more than one baby, if you have an iron-poor diet (e.g., some vegetarians), or if your pre-pregnancy menstrual flow was heavy.

I did a bit of research to understand the treatment of iron injections.  The following information is taken from Anemia.org:

Iron injections are liquid solutions containing iron which are either injected directly into the blood stream through an IV or into the muscle – often the upper arm. Unlike oral supplements, iron injections need to be administered at a hospital, clinic or doctor’s office by a trained professional.


Iron injections are often given because patients are not able to take their full dose of oral iron or their body cannot properly absorb iron through their digestive tract. Because iron by injection does not have to be absorbed through the intestines, but is delivered directly to your circulatory system, it can help build red blood cells more quickly than oral iron.
Patients receiving iron injections can experience side effects, including flushing, headache, muscle and joint pain, dizziness, nausea, rashes, pain and inflammation at the injection site, fever or chills. Some patients may also experience a drop in blood pressure. Side effects may appear while receiving the injection or following completion of the injection. 
A very small percentage of patients who are allergic to the type of iron injected can experience anaphylaxis or an anaphylactic shock. Anaphylaxis will usually bring about hives that itch, flushed or pale skin, and can include a constriction of the airway, swelling of the tongue or throat, a weak and rapid pulse, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness or fainting. These severe allergic reactions must be treated immediately in the emergency room or hospital. If untreated, anaphylaxis can lead to unconsciousness or death.

From what I've researched, most patients are able to tolerate the injections well.  If anyone else has experience with iron injections, good or bad, please let us know.
We started this blog to share information and our experience, in order to help those behind us, as we have been helped by those before.  I thought my posts have been fair, even if painfully honest about our emotions and difficulties.  In the end, it is just our opinion based on our particular experience and feelings about the process and the events that happened to us.  "Your mileage may vary."
Thanks to everyone for their support, both on this blog and offline. 
We are currently at 24 weeks and expect to get our 3D scans next week.  We're very excited about the scan and making it to this point in the pregnancy. 

17 comments:

  1. My sister's surrogate also needed iron transfusions afeter her hospital stay at 23 weeks, this is very common during pregnancies in developing countries in particular. It is an item for which you will be invoiced, but necessary.

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    1. Thanks, Kim. That's what I read, since in developing countries protein/iron is harder to get in their diets, especially if they are vegetarian, as many Indians are.

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  2. Mishali's surro-mama had iron injections too. They weren't expensive and she felt a whole lot better after having them. Hospital setting for IVF iron injection is absolutely essential as it works quicker, and there is the risk of allergic reaction, even if small, no clinic is going to put a surrogate or baby in jeopardy, even if the risk is small. Congratulations on 24 weeks, not long to go!!

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    1. Yes, we understand the need, as the side effects can be dangerous. I didn't realize how many seemed to require injections vs. the oral regimen. But we do want to ensure that surrogate and baby are properly cared for. Thanks, Meg!

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  3. As another intended parent, your honesty is something I treasure, especially because I know first hand how painful it is to share the parts of this journey that are difficult. Asking questions, sharing experiences, and being a resource for others is not something that the surrogacy community should fear.

    Transparency, educated IPs and accountability are good for everyone involved.

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    1. Thanks, R&D. You probably didn't expect to go into surrogacy having certain things befall you and become a cautionary tale of what could happen. Like us, you expected pretty much what you researched and read about from others. I guess we now know why our expectations may have been skewed.

      As someone told me, the positive way to look at it is that you are taking the hit in the averages so that other IPs can be educated and have a smoother path.
      Accountability is good for those acting in good faith (that is a general comment, not directed at anyone in particular). But IPs can only be educated when folks can speak freely without fear of consequences--this is the cost of transparency, in my opinion.

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  4. I agree with Rhy, your blog has been fabulous, so you keep posting whatever you think and feel and don't worry about what people may think or feel. This is the story of YOUR family, and it has to be a truthful reflection of what you are experiencing. One day surrogacy in India is going to be over and you will be just like every other family ... but you will have a record of what you went through and that is invaluable.

    Love from someone who always got herself into trouble for blogging it as it was! xxx

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  5. Holy cow....i can imagine how your heart must sink each time you get these emails! im very happy that both bubs and Meera are ok. dont hold back for anyone or thing. your journey, your story. and next week, 3D scan. im excited for you!! x

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    1. Thanks, Andy. Our surrogate and baby are doing well. That's what matters, and what we're trying to focus on.

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  6. Hi Ben glad to hear that babies are doing well and surrogate is getting the injections she needs. Enjoy your 3D scans!!! Look forward to more posts!!!! Best wishes :)

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    1. We know you had a tough road too. Thanks for your support. :)

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  7. Don't worry guys ,we got slugged for two surrogate mothers with a singleton each but really just had one surro mum who gave birth to twins. We also know of others with the same fake surrogate. Thank goodness the Indian government is going to regulate this fraudulent industry.

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    1. What the??? I am thrown for a loop. Thank you for sharing and for your support.

      I will just say that I am thankful you have your lovely Edie and Hudson. I hope your family is well, guys. Please post an update with pics!

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    2. Yes thanks Ben , we are so lucky to have our two beautiful babies and can't thank our surrogate enough. We will update in the near future. They are growing so well.

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  8. Yeah! 3D Scan! Small road bumps, but almost almost there! Hold on tight little one and Meera! Positive vibes!

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  9. Hi Ben & Travis,
    I really do hope the iron levels pick up. You are so close, so I am hoping that your surrogate will get better soon, and both of you become parents very very soon.

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