Thal minor pre pregnancy

Hi everyone, I'm still very new to this, but sooo thankful there is at last somewhere we can turn for help. I've known that I've had thal minor most of my life. Always presented symptoms, and has been a constant thorn in my side.. Still haven't found a doctor that can offer me some good advice. My worry at the moment is that my husband and I are considering having a baby. He's been tested and came up all clear, no thal minor. Although his doctor seemed a little confused about what she was testing for so a second check wouldn't hurt. My main concern is falling pregnant and having my iron levels so low the doctors will encourage a blood transfusion. Is there any way to prevent this from happening in the first place? I can prepare for this pregnancy a year in advance if I have to. My doctors in the past have put me on iron that didn't help so now I take nothing. I'll change my diet in preparation if it will help. My mothers pregnancies were both really hard on her and babies, due to thal minor now we think. Her first (me) was born not breathing, and my brother was healthy but mums placenta tore and she got very sick. Can advance planning prevent these risks?

If you are going to try and get pregnant, you should be taking folic acid. All women of childbearing age are encouraged to take it, as it reduces birth defects, but thals have an even higher need for folate because it is needed to build red blood cells. As far as iron, you should look to maintain your iron level by diet. I also encourage thal minors and especially pregnant women to take natural vitamin E, as it can reduce the threat of clotting issues which lead to miscarriage. And yes, preparing with good nutrition can reduce the problems of pregnancy.

Hi natasha
My doctor always advised taking 5mg folic acid and a B-complex 6 months before planning a pregnancy. During 3 of my pregnancies I was put on baby aspirin for clotting issues out of which 2 resulted in a miscarriage, so like Andy said it is good to start natural vitamin E to avoid any such complications.

maha

You should take B-complex/B100, folic acid up to 5 mg, vitamin E 400 IU. That's the daily supplements thal minor patients should have. Especialy for folic acid, pregnant woman must increase the dose up to 5 mg.