Not Able to Eat & Drink Enough for the Both of Us

I am 22 weeks and have been experiencing issues with Iron malabsorption, low blood sugar and low blood pressure.  One of my problems is that I am not able to eat and drink enough for the both of us to sustain.  Of course the baby gets his first and I am kinda left with little to nothing.  I have been experiencing bouts of fainting quiet often.  Have been rushed to hosptial a few times. 

I can't even eat as much as I use to.  Drinking is another issue.  One cup of water takes me soo long to take down. 

Has anyone experienced this?  If so, what helped you?  I may be looking at receiving regular Ivy supplements.  Didn't want to do that if I don't have to.

Thanks for your help :-)

Oh so sorry to hear this Kelly, as I had similar issues at the begining of my pregnancy. My iron was so low I was fainting and getting dissy just getting up from a lying or sitting position. I started using Bifera Iron supplements and I had the water issue. On the water issue I found that drinking water "room temperature" helped it go down quicker and with ease. I use to love me water ice cold, but for some reason I found it difficult to drink after getting pregnant. I was treated in the emergency room one night for dehydration and low iron. I just started drinking water right from the shelf instead of the fridge. Try buying bottled water and keep it in the pantry and or closet and drink it room temperature. It might help. They say it takes your body longer to use cold water than room temperature (not sure why, but that's what they say :) Good luck sweetie

~~Gina

Awe Gina,

Thanks for much for sharing your experience.  You are absolutely right.  I also love me some ice cold water, but I can't drink too much of it.  I will make the switch to room temp.  I am currently seeing a Hematologist and he has put me on Feosol, 3 times a day.  I'll never have a bowel movement again (I know, T.M.I.).  If my levels don't increase soon, he says Iron Ivy Therapy will be my next move.  I will ask him about he Bifera.

I know that this will all pass, once Mr. Man comes. Just gotta be patient.

You have a Wonderful weekend!

Kelly

I had issues with low blood pressure and low blood sugar last pregnancy also. I know in the middle around when I was 28 weeks pregnant and had my gallbladder out my iron was awful. I had to add lots of iron and add dulcolax I think it was. I just had to eat every hour and the doc said if I focus on a little bit at a time it would not seem so hard and I would slowly raise what I was getting in

shannyn, I believe you have a point with the "very hour & focus". Eating is a real challenge now. Never thought I'd ever be saying that.

OMG!!  This sounds just like my pregnancy!!  As for my advice.....you're not gonna like what my dr's answer was.....eat higher calorie foods and beverages.  I snacked on things like seedless grapes, drank whole milk (often with choc. syrup - big no no if you dont pay attention) and I basically cut my portions down by half, just ate twice as often.  i literally set a clock and ate by that, then setting a timer after i ate for 30 mins. to notify me of when I could drink, and rinse repeat!  It worked for me. I followed my cravings, and if my body wanted something I gave in no matter what it was.  Of course I didnt crave anything like chalk or dirt....lol.  I gave birth to a 6 pound 6 oz girl On July 2nd. and she is currently in the 75 percentile @ 14.7 lbs.

Good Luck and God Bless!

Thanks Trouble256<

This is some really good advice you all are offering me.  My doctor did say that I would have to take in higher calories, which is so the opposite of what we have been trained to do after our surgeries.  So I have changed to the room temp beverages and that works really well.  I will probably have to start setting an alarm on my phone every 30 minutes also, to monitor my food and drink intake. 

Glad to hear that you had a healthy baby girl.  Congratulations!!!  Hope you were able to get back to your protein diet with no troubles ;-)

Maybe for water carry around a big old kitchen timer, they have digital ones. Set it for 15 minutes, and drinks 2 ounces, that is 8 a hour, 64 in a work day.