My husband and I (31F) sadly terminated our very wanted pregnancy at 23w6d via labor & delivery on July 31 due to a severe congenital heart defect (amnio was normal but waiting for heart gene panel). During delivery, I had a retained placenta, required an emergency D&C, and suffered a postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) losing 1.2L of blood.
I just got my first period and am tracking my LH levels to see if I’ll ovulate in the next week or two (around Sep 10–12). My husband and I want to try to conceive (TTC) again as soon as possible, but I am concerned about my recent iron bloodwork.
Current Medications:
• Ferrous fumarate 300mg daily (100mg elemental iron) since 1 week postpartum
• Sertraline 50mg (currently cross-tapering over from Escitalopram 5mg)
Lab Work:
• July 31 (Birth/PPH): Hemoglobin 110 g/L | Hematocrit 0.332 L/L
August 29 (1 Month Postpartum):
• Hemoglobin: 133 g/L (Normal)
• Hematocrit: 0.419 L/L (Normal)
• Serum Iron: 6.4 µmol/L (Low)
• Ferritin: 26 µg/L (Low)
• Transferrin Saturation: 0.09 / 9% (Low)
• TIBC: 70 µmol/L
• Transferrin: 2.77 g/L
I have a follow-up appointment with my OB/GYN on September 11, but I am worried I might ovulate before or right around that date.
1. Is it safe to try to conceive with low ferritin and iron, or do I need to skip this TTC cycle?
Should I have an IV iron infusion while actively trying to conceive or right around ovulation?
Would an iron infusion rapidly fix low iron and ferritin in time for the first trimester?