Anemia at 29 weeks

[psshh03]

I just got home from out of town to find a letter from my MW stating that per my last blookwork, I have anemia and to fill the prescription provided for iron (and begin taking them right away). My first question is why didn't she call and TALK to me about it...but alas I will call her tomorrow.

I haven't looked into this at all...but is there a more natural course I can take?? As in diet?? Any information at this point would be helpful....

Thanks so much

[COgirl19]

I started becoming a little anemic around that point in pregnancy too. I did try diet at first (spinach, beef, tempeh, ect.) however it only got it back to borderline levels. For me it took an iron supplement to bring me within normal range. After delivery you tend to get anemic anyway so to start out that way before you deliver isn't the best thing. I don't think it hurts you or baby but after delivery my iron levels really dropped and I am feeling it. I even look a lot paler then usual. They are slowly coming back up but that's with supplementation.

Did your midwife give you a number for your iron? 36 is generally considered the cutoff for anemic. I would ask her to give you a number and advise you if you are truly anemic or just borderline.

[CookAMH]

I've known of people using a cast iron skillet in cooking to increase iron levels.

Hope you get a better answer from your midwife.

[new york momma]

I guess anemia is so common in pregnancy that the MW may not have felt it was necessary to have a personal convo (?). My doc left a message on my tele that said I was anemic and to take two iron pills a day in addition to my prenatal vitamins. A sales woman at the vitamin store who had recently given birth recommended a vegetable source of iron that she said wouldn't cause constipation. The first week of taking the iron,I would get very sick right afterwards. Kind of felt like a very bad hang over with the spins and everything. I've been taking the iron with a little food now and don't get sick at all after taking it. I thought I would feel like I had more energy after taking the iron for a few weeks but really, I can't feel any difference.
Just my personal experience. Best of luck.

[HeatherB]

Floradix is a good iron supplement. I have found that the one *with* yeast is much better tasting than the "yeast free" version. Floradix won't cause constipation like iron pills tend to do.

[xekomaya]

You're supposed to be "anemic" at that point in pregnancy. 22-30 weeks should have the largest expansion in blood volume which causes your hemoglobin to drop in relation. Your body spends the rest of the time making that expanded blood more useful and by 36 weeks you should be back up a bit. If your hemoglobin didn't drop it would actually be more worrisome.

Before stressing at all, find out what your number is. I moved to a new state and the midwives here call anything below 11 anemic which is crazy to me. I think anything over 9 is fine. If you feel your energy is lower than it should be, try the floradix or iron rich teas like oatstraw and nettle. Eggs, liver, and buffalo are some of your best food sources.

Just in case you need it, here is a really balanced and thorough look at anemia in pregnancy
http://www.homebirth.org.uk/hb.htm

Be sure to scroll down to "The Expert View" if anyone gives you the MYTH that low blood hemoglobin increases your risk of hemorrhage.

[Just1More]

Originally Posted by HeatherB

Floradix is a good iron supplement. I have found that the one *with* yeast is much better tasting than the "yeast free" version. Floradix won't cause constipation like iron pills tend to do.

I feel better now, too.