Low Potassium and Magneisum
QUESTION
Dear Midwife,
My daughter is almost 6 months pregnant and her blood tests show she is low 3.2 versus 3.5 in her potassium levels. They tried to get her count to the normal rate using an IV and nothing changed after 6 bags. They have her taking several potassium pills a day and it only went from 3.1 to 3.2 after 2 weeks. They are now sending her to a renal doctor (kidneys) but they say the baby is fine.
I have tried to research this on the web without much luck. Should we be concerned? One OB doctor said it wasn't a great concern that it is sometimes normal in young women and should improve after the baby is born, the other one says she is not too concerned but wants us to go see a specialist anyway? She is having no symptoms or problems.
ANSWER
I'm sorry, I have never heard of such a problem that couldn't be solved, so I would defer to the specialist.
-- Cynthia, CNM. PhD.
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Cynthia Flynn
Cynthia Flynn, CNM. PhD, teaches in the College of Nursing at Seattle University and is President of the American Association of Birth Centers. She also practices midwifery at Valley Medical Center where she cares for pregnant and birthing women, and practices well-woman gynecology, family planning, and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.
Cynthia founded Columbia Women's Clinic and Birth Center, where she took care of pregnant women and infants up to two weeks of age and attended both birth center and hospital births. Before Cynthia earned her CNM, she worked as a registered nurse in labor and delivery and postpartum and is a certified Doula and Doula trainer.
Cynthia hosts a monthly "Ask the midwife" chat as well as answers questions via our expert section.
Listen to Cynthia live on Pregnancy.org Live: Before, During and After.
