hemorrhaged, need to get healthy.

[bri276]

I had a complicated missed miscarriage and hemorrhaged on Monday night (was 13+ wks technically but baby had died a few weeks before), finally had a d&c; when all was said and done, they estimated my blood loss at between 2.5 and 3 pts total. Needless to say I am feeling awful; I can only lay down or semi-sit up, I have a horrible migraine on top of it, which I'm not sure is purely a result of the blood loss or a side effect of the narcotics/anesthesia wearing off.

I have chicken liver, I have some leafy greens...I am also taking iron supplements, and vitamin c. I have a genetic condition, thalessemia minor, which causes my blood cells to be abnormally shaped and causes mild anemia anyways so I think it's going to take a while to get back to normal. What else can I do from a TF perspective?

tia.

[Ruthla]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

I was going to suggest liver- which I see you already have. Bone broths are also GREAT for overal healing, plus IMO they're just great "comfort food" when I'm feeling down, those days I don't feel like eating much, etc. You can make chicken broth in the crock pot and it's not a lot of work- set it up and then go back to resting, and then the next day you can strain it.

[Missa]

I too am sorry for your loss.

I would also add that using a cast iron pan for cooking can help support iron levels. I know that horrible anemic feeling myself. I unfortunately never was able to get back to normal by myself and required an iron infusion. I do hope you start to feel better soon.

[tinuviel_k]

I would try a daily nettle infusion. Nettles are quite rich in iron, and a daily nettle tonic will do wonders for your iron supply.

In the evening take one ounce of dried nettles (if you don't have a kitchen scale this is about one cup). Place them in a quart mason jar and fill with boiling water. Stir the nettles to wet them, fill the jar the rest of the way with more boiling water, and then cap. Let the nettles steep overnight. In the morning strain through a fine strainer and put the infusion in the fridge. Aim to drink about one cup four times a day, finishing the quart each day. In the evening make a fresh quart for the next day.

Drink one quart every day, make it a part of your routine. I usually drink my infusion every Monday through Friday, and take a break on the weekends.
Herbal infusions like this are gentle and very effective, but they do take time. You won't get miraculous results in a couple days. Try doing this for a month or two and then get your iron re-checked: I bet you will be pleasantly surprised at the results.

My little sister is having irregular periods from coming off of hormonal birth control. For the last year she has been bleeding heavily every two weeks. She takes a daily nettle infusion. When she got her iron checked a couple weeks ago the doctor was astounded that her iron levels could be so high with having heavy periods twice a month. The nettles make a huge difference.

If you make a daily nettle infusion you'll go through a LOT of nettles, 1.5 lbs a month or so, so it is best to buy them in bulk. Mountain Rose Herbs has organic nettles at a great price: http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/index2.php

[guestmama9916]

I second the idea of nettles but would also add some alfalfa. My MW reccomends alfalfa to all her patients to help avoid anemia. It will boost your levels faster than iron supplements for some reason. I still take it now even though I'm not pregnant because it gives me energy. I take 6 tablets a day.

[PeggyinNC]

I am so sorry for what you are going through, and I hope you can heal quickly. I have had anemia all my life, and I have fibroids that cause to excessive menstrual bleeding, so it has gotten to the point where they wanted to do transfusions. I know what it feels like to not be able to walk around and do the things you want. All the things that have been said are good, and I try to use them myself. One thing I wanted to mention, as several of the mommies here have mentioned in other threads, is a tonic called floradix. It is iron with herbs that are more readily assimilated than other iron supplements. I finally broke down and got some, and it has made such a powerful difference for me. Far more than steak or greens or anything else. It is rather pricey, but if I think of it as medicine, not food, it seems pretty cheap. It was around $40 for a large bottle at the local health food store, and I just didn't want to pay that much. I googled it, and found a place (vitaglo I think?) that had it for $26 with free shipping. It lasts at least a month, and for less than a dollar a day, it made a huge difference. It also has B vitamins, which help the iron to be used by the body. I wish you the best in your recovery....blessings~

[Raene]

Lots of green smoothies...raw greens are the best thing you can be eating. Have you heard of the book "Green for Life" by Victoria Boutenko? It's a great book.

BTW, green smoothies are sweet, not gross and bitter.

[bri276]

thank you all so much. I am going to get started on the recommendations now as I definitely can't afford to be bedridden much longer with a 3.5 yr old and need to get back to living life. I just knew the iron pills the MD prescribed somehow wouldn't be enough