Chef came with me to this visit. He was tired though and fell asleep through one of the breastfeeding videos. I didn't really care. He doesn't have breasts. At this visit I was told that my glucose level came back perfect at 109 for the gestational diabetes testing BUT my iron levels were a staggering 10.6. That's considered low/ borderline anemic. I'm not in any real danger but my midwife reminded me that I can't deliver at the birth center with iron levels lower than 10 so I needed to start a supplement that would take care of that problem. I immediately told her that the reason why I stopped taking vitamins with iron in them was because they made me sick. She gave me a sample of an all natural liquid iron supplement that shouldn't upset my stomach or make me constipated. It's called Floradix Iron + Herbs.
This particular formulation of iron has the highest absorption rate of any others out there. I have to take 10mL (about 2 tablespoons) twice a day 30 min before meals. You can't take an iron supplement with dairy because the calcium would bind up all the iron and there would be none left for you to absorb. Iron is best taken with citrus to aid in absorption. I've been taking it faithfully for a good while now, usually once before dinner and once before bedtime snack and I haven't noticed any adverse effects from it. I think it's delicious. It is made up of mostly fruit juices so it tastes like a fruit juice concentrate. The only downside is that it's pretty pricy. I got it from our local health food store, Earth Fare. They are usually more reasonably priced than Whole Foods. For the 8.5oz bottle shown in the picture I paid $26.99. That bottle is only going to last me 17.5 days. They do carry the larger 17oz bottle for $47.99 but the sticker shock told me to try and see if I can find it cheaper on the interwebs. This iron supplement also comes in a vegan formula that doesn't contain gluten.
Enough about my blood issues, let's talk about the baby part of the visit. My midwife asked what birthing class Chef and I were taking, what pediatrician we decided to go with and if we've started my birth plan. We have started birthing classes, I have a consult scheduled with a pediatrician and making the birth plan is on my to do list. We're right on track with what we need to be thinking about for how far along we are in this thing. Then it was time to find baby and listen to her heartbeat. She found the heartbeat immediately and said, I guess you have a pretty active baby. I replied with, "I'm surprised she's not moving around right now." Her heartbeat was the loudest and strongest it had ever been. Then she started moving around like normal. It cracked the midwife up. I asked the midwife with my stomach protruding from some areas from time to time, how could I tell what body part was what. She put a firm hand on my abdomen and began to feel around. She asked where I normally feel the most movement, which at this time is at the top right side of my abdomen. She told me that at the very top is the baby's butt. Her head is down and her legs are off to the right side. Now when she flips, I know what position she is in. My midwife also gave me props... She said, "Good job on not gaining a million pounds. People think you're eating for two when really it's more like one and a lima bean." At 30 weeks in, I'm up 18 pounds. I guess that's good, I really wouldn't know. My mom scared me to death when she told me she gained 70 pounds when she was pregnant with me so.. in my head, I'm a WINNER.
No comments:
Post a Comment