Late update on my last blood draw

[Amber Lion]

Anyone want to comment on the #s?

RBC 3.35
Hemoglobin 9.8
Hematocrit 29.5


I know it's been a while, but I just got the #s from my last blood draw that my midwives were worried about. Some of you had asked and I'd love your opinion if you're in the know about these things. In their support, they reiterated that they have no intention of risking me out, that I look good and seem good and they are only worried about the #s not really about me b/c Dh told them that I'd had a very hard time with their delivery of the results at our last appt. It's just hard to hear the positive when they give you such negative at the same time.

Anyways, it doesn't seem like my #s were all that bad to me! Low, yes, but *severely* low? Uh, no. We drew blood again today, so I should get results in the next couple of days. I'm hoping they're higher b/c I've been busting my arse and feeling like crap trying to get them up!

[lee1203]

I still don't know a darn thing about any of this, but I'm so sorry you're having to deal with it. Hopefully everyone can come to a compromise if needed so you don't have to keep stressing over it, and instead you can just relax and focus on you and your little one.

[neveryoumindthere]

I know this might not be what you want to hear...but I've struggled with low iron my entire life (even though took supplements, lots of red meat etc) and was recently--about 8 months ago--diagnosed with Celiac disease..in just a few weeks of being gluten-free, with no supplements or anything, my iron was awesome for the first time in my life...

After talking with my naturopath, she said that with celiac one of the very first things that stops absorbing in the intestines is iron and as you heal one of the first things to improve is iron absorption...

Just throwing that out there...without testing or anything, perhaps try going gluten-free and see if the numbers go up?

*hugs* sorry if it's totally out there. I was fascinated when I found out and ecstatic when finally after 20+ years I had normal iron levels..

[DreamsInDigital]

Crashing again, sorry. 9.8 is pretty darn low and definitely within the realm of something that could use a little boost. You'll want to get that up around 11 or higher before birth, simply because it will make your recovery much easier. My favorite iron supplement is Vitanica Iron Extra. It's about $15 for a 60 pill supply, and as easy as taking a couple of pills every day. It's never upset my tummy and worked like a charm to boost my iron. HTH!

[mamanurse]

Originally Posted by Amber Lion

Anyone want to comment on the #s?

RBC 3.35
Hemoglobin 9.8
Hematocrit 29.5


I know it's been a while, but I just got the #s from my last blood draw that my midwives were worried about. Some of you had asked and I'd love your opinion if you're in the know about these things. In their support, they reiterated that they have no intention of risking me out, that I look good and seem good and they are only worried about the #s not really about me b/c Dh told them that I'd had a very hard time with their delivery of the results at our last appt. It's just hard to hear the positive when they give you such negative at the same time.

Anyways, it doesn't seem like my #s were all that bad to me! Low, yes, but *severely* low? Uh, no. We drew blood again today, so I should get results in the next couple of days. I'm hoping they're higher b/c I've been busting my arse and feeling like crap trying to get them up!

I'd be totally comfortable with your numbers for a homebirth. I don't think they're that low. However, some supplementation (which I already think you're doing) would be called for IMO. Hope that gives you some peace of mind

[Amber Lion]

^Thanks, it does! And yes, I've been supplementing up the whazoo!

neveryoumindthere - I need to look into this. I've got copies of medical records that show I've got a wheat allergy of some sort. I was tested when I was very little b/c I have had migraines since I was a toddler and I remember getting allergy shots for 2 years and going wheat free in my diet. After the two years though, they pronounced me "cured" and said I could eat wheat again. I don't remember details though b/c it was so long ago. But it's been coming up again and again that people have been mentioning going gluten-free might help with this or that and a friend who is very allergic to gluten said it's impossible to just get shots and be "cured". So... don't feel bad about suggesting it!

[PassionateWriter]

there is still enough time for you to take advantage of the pregnancy tea if you can get to a health food store for the herbs.

i have been ANEMIC for 3 pregnancies. teh ONLY diffierence this pregnancy is the pregnancy tea i have made and drank 2 liters per day. no pills or anything else.

my iron levels are through the roof this pregancy (my MW just did a pin prick not a complete blood work so we dont know what they are but they are GREAT on the strip, if that makes sense).

the tea is sooo easy to make and so much better for you than simply taking the supplements.

if you want the recipe, ill post it. (need to go find it).

[Amber Lion]

Here's what I've been doing supplement wise:

2 Iron Complex pills (one at breakfast, one at dinner)

Double doses of Floradix & Chlorophyll at lunch

1 quart daily of RRL, Oatstraw, Alfalfa, & Nettle infusion

Complete amino acid complex pills (I've been having issues with my total protein, albumin, albu/glob ratio levels too)

Digestive enzymes

whey protein powder as needed

And I've been getting minimum of 120 g protein and 3000 calories daily

Phew!

[PassionateWriter]

Ingredients:
raspberry
alphalpha
nettle
oatstraw
Dandelion (very bitter)
Peppermint or spearmint
chamomile is contraindicated in the first trimester, but ok after that (adds flavor and sweetness)

Boil a pot of water. Throw in herbs and turn off heat. COVER and let sit overnight. In the morning, strain and put into the fridge. You can heat it up or drink it cold. Good with honey and lemon. Drink at least 1 liter per day, preferably 2 liters.

The quantities you use are up to you. He takes a large pinch of raspberry, nettle, alfalpha and Chamomile. A smaller pinch of nettle, oatstraw, and mint. A very small pinch of Dandelion, which is very bitter HOWEVER this root has the vitamin K you need for birth.

[TaraRae82]

The hemoglobin is a bit low though not THAT bad. I think the CNM in my OB's office told me that anything at or below 10 gives them a little bit of concern for PP hemorhage. She suggested alfalfa for boosting that number.

[ellesmom]

Have you had a hemoglobin electrophoresis? I am not sure of your family heritage, but a low iron that is not responding to supplementation could indicate thalassemia minor. Both my grandparents were born in Italy, and I seem to be the only person in my family who is not affected by this. However, my mother has it, and was anemic throughout all her pregnancies. She never responded to supplementation. Just a thought of something to look into.

[Faerieshadow]

When do you find out your new numbers? I can't remember, did you start all the supplementation after the blood draw you just gave the numbers for, or have you been doing it awhile now?

[Amber Lion]

^Added some after #s I just posted, was already doing some too. I should know new #s in the next couple of days!

[Faerieshadow]

I had been supplementing to get my iron levels up (first blood draw was around 8.5 IFRC), but just trying to do it through chlorophyll and diet. It brought it up a bit but nowhere near enough, and when I added the extra (Slow Fe 2 times a day) that began to bring my levels up steadily. Hopefully with your added supplementation your numbers will have started to go up.

[k in canada]

My hemoglobin is lower than that and my OB is not overly concerned. She just said to take ferrous gluconate to get it to go a bit higher before delivery. She likes to see over 10 but is not worried. Also, hemmoraging is more a result due to low platelets than iron levels.
Try a few of the supplements suggested and try not to worry.

[pcasylum]

Floradix - I can't say enough about this product! (Which I see you're already taking ) With my 2nd child I was severely anemic after his birth - Floradix brought my numbers up SO fast it was incredible. With my 3rd child I went anemic at about 37-38 weeks. (I was around 9) I started Floradix that day and SIX DAYS LATER I was at 11.something. It was amazing, and I felt SO much better! AND that birth was my easiest recovery yet. :

I discussed this at my appt yesterday and my mw said that low platelets can definitely occur when you're anemic, which can result in hemorrhaging at birth. So she likes to bring those numbers up, and at this late stage of the game the only thing that will work in time is Floradix.

Floradix is the only supplement that is so easily absorbed, non-constipating, and works without a 6 week lead time like most pill-based supplements. (I could be wrong on that but I know at least most iron pills take that long to take effect). I just had my blood drawn yesterday so I'm waiting to see if I'll be taking Floradix soon; I've been exhausted lately so it seems like I could be anemic.

Good luck!

[Amber Lion]

^ That's great floradix works so well for you!!! Unfortunately, it doesn't for me. After about 6 weeks of floradix twice daily my numbers had dropped again. Which is when we started the pills. I'm still waiting to hear my new numbers and :

[Tenk]

Not in your DDC...

My numbers just before delivery were 9 & 27, and right after my c/s they were 8 & 20, and I almost had to be transfused, but thankfully they didn't drop lower than that, I guess that was the cut off. They didn't even flinch at the 9 & 27 tho. I'd say your fine mama. Good luck with your big day.

[BabyHaysMama]

I too have low iron in this pregnancy. I've been taking Floravit since April and when we last checked my hemoglobin was at 9.5. Although my midwifery practice says that they prefer it to be over 10 for a homebirth, because I feel so strongly about it, as long as it doesn't drop we should be fine.

I did some research and found that calcium has an effect on iron absorption as well so if you're eating something high in calcium at the same time as you're taking your iron supplement, you might as well be not taking it. Keeping my fingers crossed for your iron count. I get my blood taken again next week so I'm hoping it goes up too.

[Amber Lion]

Wooohooo!!! Got my #s back!!! My midwives were saying they'd be happy if I just stayed even, but....

Hemoglobin 10.9
Hematocrit 32.5

AND my protein levels are up too! : : So I'm just going to continue what I've been doing and I don't have to worry about more blood draws or iron shots or anything like that. I was so ready to hear they'd gotten worse again, so I'm on cloud nine right now!