Pregnancy update: 31 weeks
Lots to report this week as far as the pregnancy goes. We finally got in to the lab for bloodwork on Saturday and my midwife called me yesterday to give me the results: I'm "severely anemic", as she put it. The blood results showed my platelet count being very low and my hemoglobin level is at 9.
This is good news and bad news. Good news in that we finally have pin-pointed one of the major factors of my extreme exhaustion this past month or two. Bad news in that something serious has to be done to get things back in order before I give birth. Considering that I hemorrhaged rather badly last time around, the last thing I want is to go into labor and delivery like this.
And so, in addition to the ingestion regimen she had already put me on for reflux and low protein last week, I'm now taking four new things, trying to drink enough water and pregnancy tea to drown a horse, and eating enough protein to be a body-builder. Do you know how much protein 80 grams of protein is? A LOT compared to what I usually eat, I've quickly found out.
All in all, I'm on ten different supplements and pills, some of which I have to take up to five each of every day. So yes, it seems my life revolves eating and swallowing pills and liquid herbs. I even had to make a big chart up with all the information of what I was supposed to take when in order to remember everything.
My other big requirement as per midwife's order: Take it easy. I've been running around at a very fast pace ever since the beginning of this year. I didn't really mean for life to get so full, it just sort of happened and I went along with it. Starting today, I am slowing down... waaaay down. And it feels really great. I'm thinking I may even get to start reading some books again, working on some crafts, and just spending a lot more time enjoying Kathrynne. There will be another season for more activity, but for the next six months or so, I'm planning to just stick to the basics and take care of myself and enjoy the transition from one child to two.
Oh and I have a few questions to throw out here for any experienced moms who'd like to answer:
1) I'm considering a water birth. Have you had one and did you like it? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. My midwife has this really cool birth pool (Please note, there are some graphic birthing images on that site - sorry, I knew some of you would want to know what kind of pool it was and I don't have a better link.) that she's going to bring for the laboring itself, but I'm still considering whether to use it for the delivery or not. I very likely will just wait and see, but I'd still like to think it through ahead of time.
2) I've heard that liquid calcium helps with afterbirth pains. I've heard the same thing about red raspberry leaf tea. Any success stories or personal experiences you want to share?
This is good news and bad news. Good news in that we finally have pin-pointed one of the major factors of my extreme exhaustion this past month or two. Bad news in that something serious has to be done to get things back in order before I give birth. Considering that I hemorrhaged rather badly last time around, the last thing I want is to go into labor and delivery like this.
And so, in addition to the ingestion regimen she had already put me on for reflux and low protein last week, I'm now taking four new things, trying to drink enough water and pregnancy tea to drown a horse, and eating enough protein to be a body-builder. Do you know how much protein 80 grams of protein is? A LOT compared to what I usually eat, I've quickly found out.
All in all, I'm on ten different supplements and pills, some of which I have to take up to five each of every day. So yes, it seems my life revolves eating and swallowing pills and liquid herbs. I even had to make a big chart up with all the information of what I was supposed to take when in order to remember everything.
My other big requirement as per midwife's order: Take it easy. I've been running around at a very fast pace ever since the beginning of this year. I didn't really mean for life to get so full, it just sort of happened and I went along with it. Starting today, I am slowing down... waaaay down. And it feels really great. I'm thinking I may even get to start reading some books again, working on some crafts, and just spending a lot more time enjoying Kathrynne. There will be another season for more activity, but for the next six months or so, I'm planning to just stick to the basics and take care of myself and enjoy the transition from one child to two.
Oh and I have a few questions to throw out here for any experienced moms who'd like to answer:
1) I'm considering a water birth. Have you had one and did you like it? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. My midwife has this really cool birth pool (Please note, there are some graphic birthing images on that site - sorry, I knew some of you would want to know what kind of pool it was and I don't have a better link.) that she's going to bring for the laboring itself, but I'm still considering whether to use it for the delivery or not. I very likely will just wait and see, but I'd still like to think it through ahead of time.
2) I've heard that liquid calcium helps with afterbirth pains. I've heard the same thing about red raspberry leaf tea. Any success stories or personal experiences you want to share?
posted by Crystal Paine at 4:52 PM
52 Comments:
I don't know what supplements you are taking for anemia, but with each of four pregnancies I took Floradix with iron and it was AMAZING! It's a liquid supplement made from concentrated fruit/vegetable juices, with nutritional yeast added, usually sold at health food stores. I consider it liquid gold for a pregnant body! :) Hope your energy picks up a little soon.
Aw I know what it's like to suffer from anemia Crystal! Really takes the energy out of you. I pray your health picks up again and that you continue to have a good pregancy.
In His care, Emily
Crystal,
For the afterbirth pains, a wonderful bath infusion of herbs was very helpful in this regard. It contained shepherds purse, comfrey, myrrh, and sea salt, and it also helped me with the post partum bleeding (I also hemmorage out really bad).
I've had an almost water birth. I was at a birthing center where that was not allowed, but I did stay in there until the last possible minute, though not on purpose ;). He just came out rather fast. Because I didn't even realize I was that far progressed, that should tell ya something...It felt so nice to be in that tub and really took the edge off. A pool would be bliss!
For the anemia, I was also always anemic when pregnant. I found the most helpful supplements to be SloFe (can be purchased at the pharmacy) and some Alfalfa tablets (for vitamin k). I took my iron with vitamin C to help absorbtion. I tried to use floridix and it does come highly recommended by others too, but I just couldn't stomach it. I felt nauseated just from the smell. :(
I have never used liquid calcium, but I used AfterEase by Wishgarden for after birth pains. As someone who has bad afterbirth pains (and I have a pretty high pain tolerance), I can wholeheartedly recommend the help it gives. I'm only a mom of two, but I've heard, and my experience was, that afterbirth pains get worse with each child.
I would like to recommend the Floradix also for for anemia! I know too that eating green food or barley green can help. Someone I know drank it though by the bottle during labor to help!
One thing I have seen really help with the hemmoraging (you can ask your midwife as i know some have different policies) is taking the last 5-6 weeks herbal pills along with lots of red raspberry leaf ones. I have never been anemic although everyone always thinks I am in spite of my high levels of iron! Oh, cook in cast iron is one of the best ways also.
I took tons of calcium and Vit C before the last birth. It was less painful, but i do not know if it was because it was my 4th baby or what!
I was at one water birth, I decided against them as I was just not comfortable with it, but I know there are great ones that are really safe. The one I was at was very nice! Laboring in the water was incredible!
For those interested, here's what I'm currently taking as per my midwife's direction:
For anemia/blood sugar problems: Floradix - 2 tsp./day, Blackstrap molasses - 1 tsp./day, Folic Acid - 4 mg./day, Yellow Dock - 2 capsules/day, Chlorophyll - 4 capsules/day, Pregnancy tea - 2-3 cups/day, Red Raspberry Leaf/Alfalfa leaf tea - 3 cups/day, eating high iron/protein diet and making sure to eat some protein every 2 hours.
For leg cramps (I was getting the horrible kind that wake you up hollering in the night!): Liquid calcium/magnesium - 2 tsp./day
I'm also taking a double dosage of Flinstones (I can't swallow any prenatals right now thanks to my wonderful gag reflux) and am taking papaya pills and am on a prescription for my reflux - we finally resorted to that as I wasn't getting much sleep most nights because of it.
As someone who pretty much never takes pills for anything outside of my SuperMom vitamins and acidolphilus/echinacea/vitamin C when I am sick, this seems like utter craziness. At this point, though, I'll do anything to feel better.
My mom had an unplanned waterbirth with my littlest sister, and it was beautiful! However, I am presently a midwifery apprentice, and there are a few things that are more challenging with water births. One- it's more difficult to monitor the baby (you might have to stand up to keep the doppler out of the water, get out of the tub for checks, etc.). Two- it is more difficult to measure blood loss after the birth if you are in the water. I'm sure your midwife will tell you if this is a concern for her. I look forward to hearing about your safe and wonderful natural birth in just a couple of months!
I am sorry to hear that about the iron. I hope you enjoy reading and find lots of great books to read.
I did try a water birth with the fourth baby but it wasn't to be. Enjoyed my fifth birth the best.
I remember on my third baby buying lots of rolls and sandwiches from the bakery with beef in them to boost my iron, I really enjoyed that.
I had a water birth with me last baby and it was a nice experience. I can't say it was pain free experience because it still was labor:) I am one who with the two before gravitated to the water the whole time laboring, in and out of the bath or shower. I thought it helped greatly with labor but the pushing part not so much. I am opting for another water birth with the next one, due in 3 1/2 weeks. If we had a larger tub I would opt to use the tub for the sake of an easier clean up, but at least I don't have to clean it up. I did find it hard to brace myself while pushing but that is the only negative I can think of. Well I hope you start to feel better soon. I did just blog about my last birth and the other two last month if your interested. Esther
Crystal, please don't take this the wrong way - you look great but when I saw your picture a few weeks ago I honestly wondered if you might be anemic right now. There is just a certain look that a lot of women who get anemic in their pregnancy have - I had a severe case so maybe it is just 'takes one to know one'. You do look great tho!
Anyways, I did have a pretty bad case of anemia in my third trimester, which, like you - explained my tiredness etc.
I know you don't drink milk but would you maybe drink soy or rice milk? Milk was helpful for me b/c it was quick, cold, settled my heartburn and is full of protein and calories.
Second, I wonder if you are getting enough to eat, period. I mean, are you eating enough calories?
Third, I read on here you don't eat a lot of meat - which is great - a lot of us shoudl follow in your example but maybe for this third tri you can eat more - even just fish, chicken, turkey, etc.
You know a lot about nutrition and I know with the high need you have been prescribed for protein, you cannot possibly get it alone thru foods but maybe you can indulge yourself a bit more this third tri.
Finally, do rest. I know you have Katharine, and I have a little boy so I know having a toddler makes rest about impossible but try anyways!
Best of luck to you!
Crystal,
I had 2 water births and they were both wonderful. Once you get into the water in hard labor, you won't *want* to get back out!
And I love liquid calcium for labor, afterpains, and dental work. I take a slug right from the bottle about every 30 minutes or so during labor, and any time I get an after pain. Near-instant relief. aahhh.
I had an unplanned waterbirth with my second, and loved it!! My husband had suggested that I get in the bathtub to help with the labor pains, and kindly ran a bath for me. I got in, and the water was a huge relief. Then lo and behold, our baby girl made her appearance about 20 min. after I got in the tub, LOL! I had contemplated renting a large birthing tub but decided against it to save money. As it turned out, everything went fine with just the bathtub. But the pool your midwife has looks awesome, and I would say, go for it! :) I bookmarked the site in case I decide to buy one next time I have a baby! The extra room and deeper water would be nice. Anyway, all that to say that I loved my waterbirth experience and I definitely hope to do it again next time around. :)
I hope all the supplements and protein will help a lot and that you'll be feeling less exhausted soon!! As far as afterpains, I just took ibuprofen and snuggled up to my warm rice bag, but they were still pretty painful. BTW, if you don't have a rice bag, they are nice for labor, as well--I used mine a bit before I got in the tub. A friend made it, and it's just 2 men's tube socks filled with a cup or two of uncooked rice, then sewed up, and stuffed into a fleece pouch. You heat up the socks in the microwave for a few minutes and pop them back in the pouch, then use it just like a heating pad wherever you need some pain relief.
Hi Crystal.
I am so glad they have found the cause of your sickness. I know that you had mentioned not eating a lot of meat as part of frugal grocery budgeting, but really, many B vitamins are derived from animal sources, so I think for you, more healthy meats would help. I also think it is good that you are eating the blackstrap molasses. That is an excellent source of B vitamins. You really set high standards for yourself, which is good to a point, but I have never seen anyone who can go at it like you do! You really amaze me, but I am so glad you are really resting and doing some things you enjoy to destress. Water births are supposed to be pain reducing and I hope you can go through with one. I am glad you were not hit by the tornado spree that swept Kansas over the weekend. God is with you for sure! I pray you have a healthy baby, and get well okay?
I labored in a hot bath most of the time with my son;) I was even able to fall asleep for awhile.
I think a water birth sounds wonderful.
I think the raspberry leaf tea is to strengthen your uterus to get it ready for labor.
I remember drinking that at the end too.
((hugs))
Can't help with any of your questions, but I hope you start feeling better and everything gets corrected! And congratulations on baby!
I'm holding my three-week old right now as I type. She's asleep and I don't want to put her down.
Oh, also for afterpains, Afterease works really good!
i like the ones from Mountain Meadow Herbs, because I know where they are made!
Do you what is causing the anemia? Is it something you are just predisposed to?
I don't know too much getting iron, but I do know that spinach isn't is good as people for getting iron. Spinach has lots of iron, but it poorly absorbed by the body. Kale is better.
Here is a recipe I like:
Blueberry Greens Smoothie
Adapted from www.vegweb.com
Ingredients:
2 cups water
1 cup Kale (spinach if you must)
1 1/2 cups frozen (or unfrozen) blueberries
1 frozen (or unfrozen, frozen is better) banana
1 tablespoon EFA oil
2 tablespoons (or to taste) agave nectar or honey
Directions:
You DO NOT taste the greens so don't be put off by the combo! Drinking this smoothie makes me feel great. I love it in the morning or even for dinner.
Put all ingredients into blender and blend it for about 1 min or until the kale is totally obliterated.
If you didn't use frozen fruit this smoothie will not be as thick. You can always add some ice to it if you like it chilled.
Serves: 1-2
Preparation time: 5 minutes
I have many friends who have had water births and cannot say enough good things about their experience. I'm hoping to have one myself a few weeks after your little one is born. :) In fact, I'm purchasing a La Bassine for my birth (cheaper than renting a tub locally). I would have the tub there, and do what feels right. If it doesn't feel good to be in the water, then why stay in? But, having it as an option is never going to hurt.
Oh, and I second the floradix.
My best friend did two water births and she loved it. She said it was the most comfortable for her, because she did not have to support her own weight and could just concentrate on giving birth.
The first time she tried all kind of different positions and decided on the pool and the second time she just went for the pool.
Hope your anemia will get better soon!
Hi Crystal,
I know what it is like being severely anaemic. I hope your iron levels pick up quickly.
My second baby was born at home and was a water birth (my first was born in hospital) so it was all new.
The water was wonderful, it gave excellent relief and each time I had to stand up so the midwife could listen to baby's heartbeat I felt so heavy and just wanted to get back under the water.
My dh got into the pool once the contractions were really difficult and he sat with his back against the edge and I kind of knelt forwards onto his chest. It was really nice. I delivered our baby in that position.
It actually felt quite modest being in the pool too which I liked.
Louise
I had a touch of anemia with my first pregnancy and had all the classic symptoms. This second time around, I felt much the same way but was never diagnosed with it, so didn't have to be on any supplements, though perhaps I should have, since I felt pretty awful most of the time, especially at the end.
I had to smile when reading about your struggle to get all your protein in! It was the same with me...it's amazing that both of my children turned out so perfect and beautiful since it was difficult to keep food down and I know I wasn't able to drink nearly enough water and tea. :-)
I've had hospital births, but am also interested in a water birth next time, Lord willing. It sounds wonderful!
I wasn't going to say anything, Crystal, but you didn't look "good" in your recent pictures. I was anemic with my first ( a little), and severely after he was born...not fun!
I am glad you are on top of your anemia. I would advise you to eat some steak. It is a great source of iron. That is what I did with the second pregnancy. I hate prenatal vitamins. They are wicked constipating! Make sure you stay on top of the constipation with all of that iron.
I don't understand all the activity 3rd trimester pregnant women do. My sister is due around your due date and she is doing so much. I just want to take a baseball bat to her head and knock her out until the baby comes. You and her need to rest!
I had the bad leg cramps with the first one, too. I would wake up yelling at night. Scare the toenails off my husband. LOL! I didn't eat very well and was not too healthy with my first. I was very sick too.
About water births. I like to have my babies on land. :-D I am JUST kidding! My sister tried a water birth and she found it very hot and uncomfortable, so she got out and walked..er...was wheeled back to bed. I guess you could give it a try and if you don't like it, get out. Just make sure you have options. I couldn't do the water because I had an IV (strep B). I didn't like being naked in the tub, either. Too modest, I guess. ;-)
I will be praying for your return to health so that you can have a safe delivery.
-Zan
I took something called Blutsaft – after googling I’m pretty sure it’s the same thing as Floradix. ( I live in Sweden). It was great. Another thing that works really good is eating lots of strawberries! My hairdresser gave me that advice when I was pregnant with my oldest daughter 18 years ago and had low iron levels a few weeks prior to the delivery. She told me that when she expected her son she had low iron levels too, and her Dr gave her some advice and told her if her levels were still that low at her next appointment she’d have to stop working (as a hairdresser) for the rest of the pregnancy. Well, she wanted to stay home (lol) so she didn’t follow any of his advice – but she ate lots and lots of strawberries!! Guess what – on her next appointment the Dr was amazed and said she could keep on working! She was disappointed, of course, as she wanted to be home instead of working but she felt a lot better! I took her advice and my levels were fine when my daughter was born a few weeks later. Eating red meat (beef) is also good.
I haven’t given birth to any of my five children in a bathtub, but I almost did with my oldest (the daughter mentioned above!). The hospital where I had her had a rule that you could use the bathtub for the labor but they wanted you to have had at least one child earlier without complications if you wanted to give birth in the tub. I used the tub for a while but wanted to get up as I was getting uncomfortable. At this point they’d told me it’d be a couple of hours before the child was born. Actually, she was born less than 15 minutes after I decided to get up, so I didn’t even have time to dry myself! If I had waited just a minute or two with that decision she’d have been born in the bathtub whether their rules allowed it or not!
Blessings,
Karin
Crystal, I had low platelets with all my kids. It was kind of scary! The doctors were all very worried at various times about it. For the iron thing, I know raisons are high in iron. Make sure you drink something with vitamin C when you are taking iron or eating it, it will help absorb it better.
The red raspberry leaf tea was great for helping labor. I don't know how much it did for the afterbirth pains though. I only drank it with my 4th, and the afterbirth pains were just as bad as the others. But the contractions were so much better! I can honestly say labor didn't hurt. It was pushing her out that hurt. With my first 3 labor hurt big time. Good luck. Glad to hear you know what the problem is now.
My midwife gave me a bunch of red raspberry leaf tea and it definitely helped with the afterbirth pains. You are being prayed for my dear sister in the Lord!
I had a waterbirth for #2 (and am planning one for #3) and I would never go back! For me, it's essential to have a tub that you can really immerse yourself in (the bathtub wouldn't cut it!). The important thing is to not get in too early, or it could slow down your labor. Save it for when you really cannot get comfortable doing anything else. Because I had a fast labor, we didn't even get the tub filled until I was almost in transition, and it was WONDERFUL! The big difference I noticed was that I was actually somewhat comfortable BETWEEN contractions (able to really relax, still kind of on hands and knees in the water) so that I had the energy when they came around again. We also delivered in the pool, which I highly recommend! I absolutely hate the pushing phase (I'm not one whose babies just pop out!), and I was able to really move my body around to get the right position. For me, it was a "squatting" position, which I certainly could not do out of the water with a huge belly and exhaustion! And I had almost no tearing (as compared with severe tearing with #1). Baby boy was SO CALM when he arrived. The midwife lifted him up and laid him right on top of me (I floated back so that my top was out of water), wrapped him in towels, and he pinked right up and joined the world! I actually remember saying "wow, I would do that again!" Which was certainly not my sentiments after #1 was born! :) Good luck to you guys!
Sorry to comment so much on your thread, but doesn't your miwife have a doppler that can go in
the water (the ones that commented)? My mom's can go in the water to listen to the heartbeat and doesn't need any gel then.
Hello
As nobody seems to have suggested it, to fight anemia, may I reccomend you try to cook in iron cookware (especially when cooking tomato based anything) as some iron is passed to the food. It was reccomended to me by my Harvard pediatrician years ago, and we still do it as we now live at (very) high altitude and iron deficiency can be a problem
All the best to you and your baby
Giovanna
Martha - yes, at my last birth, they used the doppler in the water (I was in the Jacuzzi right up until I pushed). I love, love, loved the water but I have not yet decided if actually birthing in the water is my thing or not. Thanks for all the input on it. My other concern was the inability to tell how much blood loss there is if you're in the water.
Oh and I forgot to say, I've been eating lots of cereal and milk (a pretty high protein combination I've found) and even adding a lot more meat to my diet. I'm not usually much of a meat person, but considering the high protein content, I have been eating as much of it as I can - sometimes eating it even twice a day - which is tons for me!
I had no after pains with my first child, but this second time was horrible. I was totally unprepared for the intensity of them, especially when nursing. Almost as bad as the contractions! Ouch. As soon as I got home from the hospital I started drinking lots of raspberry tea and found immediate relief. It really took the edge off of the cramps and made them much easier to deal with. I know that tea is supposed to help with toning the uterus or something so that would make sense.
You're so close Crystal! I will pray that everything goes smoothly!
I'm loving being a mommy of 2. The first month went SO well. The baby slept so much. It is more of a balancing act now and I'm trying to keep my sanity, but it is certainly still managable. You just have to keep your sense of humor and accept the fact that you can't be in 2 places at once.
I will be thinking of you in the coming weeks!
I'm glad to hear that you are trying to take it easy. I also found myself super busy the last couple months of pregnancy and it was a struggle just to get through a day. I wish I would have slowed down and been able to enjoy the pregnancy AND my older son more. It certainly was difficult to let things slide a bit, especially when I am used to having it "just so", but now I'm glad that I did. Since my daughter's arrival, my time with my son has been even more limited, so I'm thankful for that last month or two when I could enjoy just having him. :-) I was not prepared at all for the drastic change it is to add a second child to the family, but now things are settling down a little and I'm slowly getting a routine in place. Above all, lean on Christ for strength! Six months from now this will all be behind you, you'll probably feel recovered after the birth, and have the two little ones to love! My children are less than two years apart, which has been tough, especially having two in diapers, so it will be nice for you in the fact that Kathrynne will be older, so you'll have a decent gap and it sounds like you've been potty training her, too. Best wishes!
How about some iron tablets (ferrous sulfate) and a stool softener so you don't experience the side effect of constipation. If you had a previous hemorrhage you surely have an increased chance of another and you want to make sure that you are delivering with a stable hemoglobin.All Mom's hemoglobin drops after delivery but you don't want to be faced with a potential hemorrhage AND a low starting hemoglobin.I like the water birth idea but do make sure that your midwife is a nurse midwife vs. a lay midwife.Lay midwives are not always well educated and do not always know when to go to the hospital when complications arise.Many people deliver without problem but chances are not worth taking when the outcome can be so tragic in a very short amount of time, not only for baby but yourself, too.I am a L&D RN and have been for 12 years and have sadly seen many heartbreaking things come in when things have been in the hands of an incompetent midwife.Don't be afraid to take pharmaceuticals as prescribed.Homeopathic remedies are wonderful but ibuprofen works wonders for afterbirth cramps.God gave intelligence to the researchers who invented many medications that are so useful and no one gets to take home a medal for delivering without pain medication or toughing it out.Rather, take something so you can be comfortable and enjoy your new baby. Just some advice from a mother of three and a working RN(who is proud to be there to welcome new ones into the world).Blessings...
YES, FLORADIX! I believe in it also!!!
sent it to quick, YOU NEED some red meat too!
Crystal,
Just make sure the meat is red meat.;-) I'm sure you know this.
About blood loss, hmmm, could you get out of the tub when you're done and start monitoring bloody pads? I'm sure the midwife will be monitoring your BP. Can't the midwife draw blood and test your H&H after you have delivered? I thought that some midwives did that.
Surprise, surprise! I agree with the RN who commented above. :-D
-Zan
Hi Crystal! My only recommendation about the water is too make sure that the water temp. is not too hot. One of my friends had it too hot (even with her midwife there) and the baby had to go to the hospital. Water does sound lovely. Even though we are not renting the water tub for this birth, I am certain that I will probably relax a bit in my bath tub and/or take a shower during labor. My midwife even said that some people like to birth on a birthing stool in the shower. Blessings!
My midwife rents the aqua doula tubs http://www.aquadoula.com . She charges $100 on top of her normal fees for renting the birth pool. We decided not to use it(Because of the expense) this time, but we might want it in the future. Blessings!
Crystal,
I was severly anemic with my daughter who was born in September. I began to take Shonda Parker's iron supplement and by the time my daughter was born my iron count was 15. It was 9 at 28 weeks. I highly recommend her products. I also ate foods that were high in iron. I hope this helps and will pray for you.
Claire
Wow! I can't imagine getting all that in me in one day! I gag over my prenatal vitamin and iron prescription. :)
First of all, I just want you to know that while doctors and midwives don't like any hemoglobin levels below the "normal" range (and we should aim for better, too, for sure!), you needn't be frightened by having low levels. I am always somewhere around 8 when I go into delivery and usually end up barely a 6 afterwards. This is not good, by any means, but I still don't end up needing blood transfusions-- so if you get really low, please know that it can be managed and that often it's easier to "bounce back" in terms of iron levels after the baby is out. It usually takes me less than a week to get over 7 with a prescription iron tablet and lots and lots of animal protein-- once the baby is out!!
Also, while I much prefer the natural remedies for boosting health and I always bring my red raspberry leaf tea for immediately after delivery (drinking it before and then lots right after delivery helps your uterus clamp down faster, which means less blood loss), I do require a pitocin shot immediately after the baby is born because of my anemia and history of hemorrhaging. These shots have been administered to me outside of a hospital in an independent birthing center by midwives, so I should think your midwife would be able to get her hands on one. It's a very painless shot (or maybe it seems painless after what has just taken place!). It might be something to ask about, at any rate.
Crystal,
This may not be what you want to hear, maybe someone's already mentioned it, but chicken livers are a miracle food in regards to anemia. It might sound gross, but my Mom was severely anemic (in the hospital actually), and she credits the chicken livers with helping her heal. It might be worth a try!
Laura
I haven't had time to read the previous comments yet, but using a birth tub really helped me manage the pain of labor. The contractions were much more manageable when I was submerged in water (mainly on my hands and knees holding onto the edge of the tub with my belly in the water). My son was born in the water. I am definitely planning to do a water labor/birth again with the next baby.
I can't say enough good things about having a home water birth. The moment I got into the birth pool (rented from waterbirth international - a really nice, deep pool, which is key) I was able to calm down and relax. My labor was going so fast, a total of three hours from start to finish. I got into the water, relaxed, felt the urge to push, and then there she was. I didn't tear at all either (I hope that isn't too graphic).
I was only in the pool for 30 minutes but that was all I needed. I would have been in there longer, but it took a while for the birth pool to be filled.
For any future birth's I have, I will definitely be using the same birth pool and planning on a water birth. I don't know how I would have managed without it. I was becoming frantic because the labor was moving so fast and I couldn't relax very much between contractions. The water completely soothed me. I shut my eyes and was still in between contractions. It was a wonderful experience!
About the anemia you are dealing with, I'm so sorry you've had this and it hasn't been detected until now. That's why I prefer midwifery to obgyns. My midwife always does a blood test early on in the pregnancy, she monitors my symptoms closely, and she's very clear about every pregnant woman needing between 80-100 grams of protein during pregnancy. It's vital because you are growing tissue every day. I'm glad you are getting the help you need. Hopefully this will give you the strength you need to grow a healthy baby. :)
I forgot to mention that my midwife always had me take a floridix iron supplement toward the end of my pregnancy *even though* I was not anemic. It's in preparation for the blood loss during birth and postpartum. I also take alfalfa tablets.
I don't know about the raspberry tea helping with the after birth pains, but it makes sence. my family uses it for our monthly cramps and it works. It also helps speed up delivery... My sister has 5 and highly recommended me drinking one glass a day starting at week 34 So I did. well, it worked a little too good on me and after 3 days I had my baby! So i don't recommend taking it that early. But it does help with cramps!
I too suffer with anemia, although I am not pregnant. I have been on a prescription iron supplement (foltrin) for several years. My iron ferritin levels were just barely going up after months of taking this. I found out that you should not take fiber, other supplements, drink coffee or tea, eat eggs, nuts, or bread within an hour or two of taking your iron. The iron will attach itself to these things and will not be absorbed. Since learning this my levels have went up more quickly.
Hope this helps
Crystal, I have 3 children (4, 2, 8 mo.) and the last 2 were water births. I had to push for 2 hours with my first! I believe this is because my midwife broke my water to encourage me to push. I determined never to let that happen again and wanted to try a water birth. With my 2nd, 3 pushs in the water and she was out. With my 3rd, last August, I chose not to labor in the water because a hot water bottle was working quite well for my back labor. (I've had that with all 3!) I knew that I wanted another water birth though, so I got in when I started to push. That time, I experimented with positions and ended up pushing him out while leaning forward on my knees. I love water births and will definitely have one, Lord willing, with all subsequent deliveries. My midwife also had a doppler that went in the water (and I delivered at the hospital). I never had to stand for anything.
Brietta: I forgot to respond to your comment - I had pitocin shots and methergen (sp?) shots for my hemorrhaging last time around at the birth center. Pit did nothing for me, but the methergen kicked in and worked, gratefully.
We're trying to minimize my chances of hemorrhaging as much as possible this time around, which is one reason I am working overtime to get my hemoglobin and platelet count up. If your platelet count is low it can really cause problems in this regard.
My midwife (who, by the way to for Zan and the other RN, is very experienced - was an army nurse for years and then worked in as a L&D nurse for a long time, and then got her CNM licensing and has worked as a midwife for a number of years delivering hundreds of babies. She works with lots of area doctors and has delivery rights at our local hospitals. This is the one reason our insurance will cover a homebirth with her - because of her licensing and experience.) is hopeful that I can get my body in good enough shape that I don't hemorrhage this time around, however, she said she could go ahead and just shoot me with Pit as soon as the baby is born, if I want, in hopes that that might further help. I'll probably have her go ahead and do that and then we'll resort to methergen if need be. She has a few other procedures we can go with it if those things don't work.
For those who asked why I don't just take an iron supplement - for some reason, my body has a very hard time absorbing iron and a supplement does nothing for me. I was on a double dose of ferrous sulphate for weeks last time around and it did basically nothing to improve my iron levels. My midwife said that she has all her moms who struggle with iron take 4 mg of folic acid a day and that has worked wonders. I'm hoping between that and the Floradix and the Chlorophyll and the Yellow Dock, I can regain my stamina and energy and boost my levels in the next three weeks. I go and get my levels re-tested in three weeks and if things haven't dramatically improved, the next step is injections. We'll see. I learned this time around that waiting until you are quite bad off to do something about it is not smart. Next time around, I'll probably just start taking supplements, etc. as soon as I hit my second trimester. Oh well, you live and learn!
I live in Australia and they seem to be big advocates of midwife care and natural birth ( at least at all of the hospitals near me)I was induced which was incredibly painful until I got in the tub. I had a waterbirth and will never look back! When I got warm my midwife would just feed me ice chips. When she came out, my midwife told me to reach down and pick her up. It was so amazing being the first person to touch her. When they monitored her they would just put the doppler in a plastic bag so I didn't have to stand up.
Hey Crystal,
I don't have time to read all of the comments. But I did want to share my experience. I was in the tub a lot with me hospital birth with Elena (they even had water safe monitors for me since I was doing a vbac!) I thought it was wonderful. The midwives at that hospital will do waterbirths as well. I think that I Could? have been more comfortable giving birth all the way in the tub physically, but I think that it is only fair to share the other part of my story too.
When I was in the NICU with Faith, a baby came in from a home water birth who had swallowed a lot of water at birth and had been oxygen deprived for a significant amount of time because of it. He survived, but will probably have learning disabilities because of it. There are ALWAYS going to be horror stories of everything, and I don't mean to scare anyone. But I do think that it is important that we make our decisions knowing the full story. I asked one of the NICU nurses if this was common, because I had read that this never happened. She was really surprised that I had read that, because she sees these cases (water births gone bad) every year. She did say that, of course, she is seeing the worst cases being in the NICU.
So I personally struggle with deciding because I am MUCH more comfortable in the water, but is it really worth that small, but yet, real risk? I don't have an answer for myself yet, but it is something to think about.
Hi there...
I wish you all the best in the Lord. Continue seeking Him and following the path He has put before you. We make light of taking care of ourselves sometimes, but He has given us all the knowledge and resources we need to make it happen, and for us to be healthy. I pray He will bless you and help raise your hemoglobin count.
I had a water birth for my 2nd child,unplanned. It does help minimize tearing. I got out as soon as afterbirth delivered. The most important part is to breathe well, and to really rock your hips open as you labor through.
May the Lord bless you and keep you, and cause His face to shine upon you, and give you peace.
Brinly
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