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Originally Posted by porcelina  DDCC
I'm 26 weeks. After sleeping 9 hours last night, I just took a 2.5 hour nap this morning (I work from home & DS is in care with babysitter until 3). I am feeling exhausted as well. With my first pregnancy, I was craving red meat all the time, and never slept this much. Is Floradix something that is okay even if you are not necessarily low on iron? How would you know if you were (is a blood test the only way)?
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I am thinking that it wouldn't hurt to take extra iron, even if your levels weren't low. Its probably good to try and prevent becoming anemic. So to back-up my assumption, I did a bit of research and found some good info at:
www.anemia.org/patients/faq/
"Pregnancy places major demands on the body because the mother must meet the needs of both her body and her growing baby. The mother’s body needs enough iron and folate to make the right amount of red blood cells. Most anemia during pregnancy results from this increased need for iron. It is estimated that women will need approximately 50% more iron during pregnancy, increasing from 18 to 27 milligrams (mg) per day. Even a well-balanced diet can only provide about 12-14 mg of iron per day, well short of the iron a pregnant woman requires.
In order to prevent iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy, it is often necessary for pregnant women to take iron supplements. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all pregnant women should take a daily supplement of 30mg of elemental iron. The expectant mother should also stay in close contact with her doctor and gynecologist, and be sure to eat a diet that includes foods rich in iron and folate, like liver and dark green leafy vegetables.
In order to correct anemia, your body must manufacture new red blood cells to replace those that were lost. It takes about 5-7 days to start developing red blood cells which should increase hemoglobin levels within 2-3 weeks of starting iron supplementation.
Following childbirth, the mother’s body needs to start making new red blood cells. To do so, she will need enough iron to make hemoglobin, the part of the red blood cell that carries oxygen throughout the body. If she has anemia and there is not enough stored iron, her body will be unable to raise hemoglobin levels and reverse the anemia. Low iron levels before and after childbirth may require treatment.
Approximately 10% of women will suffer from anemia within the first six months after delivering their baby and 4% of women will have anemia lasting up to twelve months. Anemia experienced by mothers during this time following childbirth is called postpartum anemia and is usually caused by iron deficiency. Mothers suffering from postpartum anemia most likely lost a large amount of blood during childbirth, had twins or other multiple births, or were anemic during the third trimester of pregnancy. In any case, losing large amounts of blood or having low iron levels leaves the mother at risk for developing anemia."
Information came from:
www.anemia.org/patients/faq/
I hope that helps.... of course, ask your care provider what they would recommend.
I just bought some Floradix yesterday, I figured it's not going to hurt to take it without having my levels tested.
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