Rose Stokes, 38, experienced overwhelming hair loss, relentless fatigue, and waves of weakness after the birth of her second child. Initially, doctors dismissed her symptoms as typical “mummy issues,” leaving her feeling frustrated and blamed herself for not coping well with motherhood. The constant exhaustion impacted her parenting, strained her marriage, and shattered her self-esteem.
After enduring repeated visits and a frustrating cycle of being gaslit, Rose was finally diagnosed with iron deficiency—a common yet often overlooked condition that affects around 8% of women in the UK. If untreated, iron deficiency can lead to serious complications including increased infection risk, heart problems, and even organ damage.
“I kept blaming myself,” Rose said. “I thought I was just weak or lazy, or maybe even depressed. I felt like I just couldn’t handle having two young kids. It was hard to believe it was something physical when doctors kept telling me it was normal.”
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Rose didn’t have symptoms during her first pregnancy, but during her second, she experienced dizzy spells which she assumed were typical. After giving birth in July 2024, her condition worsened dramatically—her hair fell out in clumps, exhaustion never lifted, and she struggled with breathlessness, mouth ulcers, and forgetfulness. Pushing through the symptoms, she often found herself bed-bound and withdrew from social life.
“It broke me emotionally,” she recalls. “I thought I was failing at motherhood. My partner got used to me being constantly tired and dizzy. I couldn’t even care about the little things like my hair clogging the drain.”
In June 2025, Rose insisted on further testing and discovered she had dangerously low levels of ferritin, the protein that stores iron. Receiving a diagnosis was validating, and she was started on iron supplements. The pills, however, caused severe side effects, leading doctors to administer iron infusions instead.
Now, Rose is on the road to recovery. She emphasizes the importance of awareness and urges other mothers not to accept dismissive responses when something feels wrong.
“I feel like myself again,” she says. “I’m stronger, a better parent, and more present for my family. I’ve learned to prioritize iron-rich foods like red meat. If you feel off, keep pushing for answers—it could make all the difference.”