low iron and ucing

[AJandElijahsmommy]

I am 37 weeks and 3 days pg. UPing and planning my second UC.  I believe my iron is low, not that I have tested it but with my last two pregnancies I always tested slightly anemic and with this pregnancy i have never felt so fatigued and run down. I can barely walk to the kitchen without feeling like i am gonna pass out sometimes.  I started some natural iron supplements and they seem to help a bit. I am wondering which herbs I might want to have on hand in case of too much bleeding after birth.  I had a retained placenta with my first birth (which I am sure was due to the hospital staff wisking my ds away and not allowing me to breastfeed immediatly). My last birth, (a wonderful successful UC) the placenta came out after about 45 minutes and a gentle tug while standing. So anyway, just to be on the safe side I just want to know what herbs are out there to have on hand in case of bleeding too much.   thanks.

[wombjuice]

If you intuitively feel that your anemia is what is making you this tired, you need to get your iron levels up.  I am a very, very strong supporter of unassisted birthing, but if you cannot walk to your kitchen without feeling like you are going to pass out, how can you expect to make it through a labor, birth, and postpartum?  I am not saying this to discourage you, Mama...but this is a serious issue.  Postpartum hemorrhages are dangerous.  There are herbs that can help with a postpartum hemorrhage (and so can quickly swallowing a fingertip (or bigger)-sized piece of placenta), and I do recommend that you have them at your birth.  However, prevention is key here!  You still have time!!

Floradix is a liquid iron supplement that works FAST if taken diligently.  Take one tablespoonful in the morning, chase it with an 8-oz glass of orange or grapefruit juice, and do this again at night.  And fill your daily diet with iron-rich foods.  Eat two servings of black beans or lentils, a large baby spinach salad, a handful of almonds, an egg or two, and some cooked greens (collards, kale, mustards, etc.) EVERY DAY until you give birth.  Eat lots of tomatoes and/or citrus (juice or the whole fruit) along with these iron-rich foods (acidic foods help with absorption of iron).  You will start to feel better in a week if anemia is what is causing this fatigue.

Shepherd's Purse tincture would be my number 1 go-to herb for a postpartum hemorrhage.  You need to be 100% sure that the tincture is made from FRESH herb and not dried. 

If I were to hemorrhage at my own birth (after the placenta has birthed), I would hold a piece of my placenta in my mouth against my cheek for a minute or so and then swallow it, then I would take a full dropper of Shepherd's Purse tincture.  I would continue this regimen every couple minutes until my uterus firmed up and bleeding subsided.  And if baby wasn't nursing yet for whatever reason, I would either ask my husband to provide vigorous nipple stimulation or I would do it myself.  I would also massage my uterus firmly.  And if, after all of this, I started to feel disoriented, cold/clammy, confused, excessively thirsty, or like I was going to pass out, I would tell someone to call 911.

Everyone should be prepared for a postpartum hemorrhage, but not dwell on it or fear it.  Postpartum hemorrhages are RARE in healthy mamas who have undisturbed, unhindered births.  Follow your body's leads.  Birth in the position that your body instinctively tells you to birth in.  Do NOT tug on your cord unless you are 150% positive that your placenta is out of your uterus and just hanging out in your vagina.  Put your baby between your breasts skin-to-skin immediately after birth and keep him/her there!!  Stay hydrated during your labor.  Rest as much as possible the weeks before you anticipate going into labor.  And of course, visualize a beautiful birth AND a beautiful postpartum.

Many blessings to you, Mama! 

[amyjeans]

"Floradix is a liquid iron supplement that works FAST if taken diligently."  

I second this.  I was anemic with all my pregnancies and found this was the best help for me. I took 1/2 capful every night with 6 oz of prune juice (just in case!) and to help the flavor a bit. It worked wonders!

hth

[AJandElijahsmommy]

thanks for the info. I was on floradix for a few weeks  and it didn't seem to do much for me. i started taking "Blood Builder" by Megafood (a 100% whole food iron supp) and felt about %75 better in just a few days. so i am gonna stick with that plus increasing iron rich foods. If the tiredness isnt from low iron what else could it be?

imo its the low iron plus maybe because this is the heaviest i have ever been in my life. I am 5'8 and 225lbs right now. i was already an overweight 200lbs at conception and have gained 25lbs during this pg.

I am doing eveything I can to build iron, I just wanted to know what herbs there were for too much bleeding just in case. The eating placenta thing is NOT happening with me (UGH, sorry, to each thier own) so where can I get fresh herb Shepherds purse tincture?

[AJandElijahsmommy]

oh and don't worry wombjuice, you didn't discourage me. I am very confident in my bodies ability to do what God made it to do and even more confident in Him.

[wombjuice]

If Blood Builder is making you feel better, then the fatigue probably is low iron, though of course I don't know for sure.  Definitely continue to increase those iron-rich foods and keep up with the Blood Builder.  The tiredness could have a little to do with your weight, but it shouldn't be making you almost pass out.  How much are you able to rest?  Do you get some sunshine every day?  Sleep, sunshine, gentle daily walks, and good iron-rich foods truly can do wonders for your energy levels.

If you google "shepherd's purse tincture", you will find lots of places online that sell it (mountainroseherbs.com is a good one, but again, I'm not sure if it's made with fresh or dried herb).  Your local health food store might also sell it.  However, no matter where you purchase it, make sure to call the company first and ask them if they make it with fresh or dried herb.

Good luck, Mama!
 

Originally Posted by AJandElijahsmommy 

thanks for the info. I was on floradix for a few weeks  and it didn't seem to do much for me. i started taking "Blood Builder" by Megafood (a 100% whole food iron supp) and felt about %75 better in just a few days. so i am gonna stick with that plus increasing iron rich foods. If the tiredness isnt from low iron what else could it be?

imo its the low iron plus maybe because this is the heaviest i have ever been in my life. I am 5'8 and 225lbs right now. i was already an overweight 200lbs at conception and have gained 25lbs during this pg.

I am doing eveything I can to build iron, I just wanted to know what herbs there were for too much bleeding just in case. The eating placenta thing is NOT happening with me (UGH, sorry, to each thier own) so where can I get fresh herb Shepherds purse tincture?

[AJandElijahsmommy]

40 weeks+1day today. Feeling 110% better now (except this darn hip pain!). Ready to go!

[UnassistedMomma]

Glad you are feeling better!  I also have always been borderline anemic during pregnancy.  My midwife for my 2nd pregnancy had me taking liquid chlorophyll and that really helped me.  I have used it for every pregnancy since to be proactive since I know I have that situation.  In fact, it's time for me to go to the health food store and grab a bottle and start up that routine again!

[Lisa R]

Wombjuice- that's some great advice:) 

I had low iron with my first, and was so wiped out after the birth.   With my second, I didn't have low iron at all, and felt so great.  This is my third pregnancy, and I was feeling really tired all the time, and started taking Floradix, and it's helped so much!  My iron is in the normal range, but low.  I think if I hadn't proactively taken it, I would definitely have low iron right now (at 30 weeks)

I also try to drink nettle tea.  I make an infusion with 1/4 cup nettle in a mason jar, and add some honey and fruit tea for flavor.  My kids even like it too!  I try and drink some every day, and also eat as much iron rich food as possible.

ajandelijiahsmommy- glad you are feeling better!

[MeTooMama]

I took iron all through the last pregnancy and I wish I had known about the chlorophyll too. This time around I am taking Rainbow Light Prenatal vitamins and I can say I NOTICE the days I forget to take them. Man oh man, do I! Speaking of... lol

[Almi]

Did anyone mention that molasses is a good source of iron too? :)

[UnassistedMomma]

Originally Posted by Almi 

Did anyone mention that molasses is a good source of iron too? :)

It is!  You know, black licorice (which I've had a craving for lately) is made largely of molasses, and makes me need to go to the bathroom if I eat too much, while iron supplements always stop me up.  I've wondered why that is.  Must be some other ingredient in the licorice that does it.  :)