question about blood work results(iron related)

[Banana731]

I just had some bloodwork done. I got my results today and my HGB is 11.5 and HCT is 31.9. I am 30 weeks right now.

I don't see my CNM for another couple weeks, is she going to consider this borderline anemic? I have Yellow Dock root that I ordered to make a syrup out of to take in case they asked me to supplement my iron(I don't want to take a pill.) If she is going to ask me to supplement, I'd rather just go ahead and start now, kwim?

Thanks in advance.

[MsBlack]

At 30 weeks, I would consider that fine hgb and hct both. The hemodilution of pregnancy--your blood naturally taking on more water than it usually has--means that pregnancy levels beyond 28wks (or so) are going to be lower than normal for a non pregnant woman. This hemodilution should be done by now in you (it happens gradually until the peak dilution is reached at 28 or so wks), which means it is unlikely that your levels will change by much between now and the birth. That said, if I found that your starting levels were drastically different from present levels, if I were your midwife I would probably review your diet and supplements now, and then check hgb and hct again in 2-4weeks. I would want to rule out a continuing fall that should be corrected. Levels might drop a little bit from this point forward, but normally not by much. If, at 32-4 weeks I checked and saw any cause for concern, at that point I would recommend the yellow dock/other--there is still plenty of time to bring levels back up a bit by term.

[Reha]

Originally Posted by MsBlack

At 30 weeks, I would consider that fine hgb and hct both.

: I would also go by how you are feeling. If you are feeling run down, low energy, etc., then regardless of your blood work, you could think about supplementing. Every woman has a different "normal" for iron levels.

But, as far as your blood work goes, I think it looks great!

[Banana731]

Thanks for the info!

They are about the same now as they were in in my first set of prenatal labs, my HCT was a little higher. Since then I started drinking RRL/Nettles tea and using cast iron to cook in when I can.