35wks prego...up 40lbs :( w/ low Ferritin Levels and Scheduled C-section....any advice?...

Hi there, I have only posted a few times since I have been a member, this would be the 2nd....I had my RNY August 08 and got down to 155lbs from my heaviest of 468. We found out we were pregnant in December but I had a miscarriage in January. In March found out I was pregnant again and I am now 35 weeks with a boy :) I had a C-section at 375lbs with my first son almost 7 years ago and suffered from Type II Diabetes along with a long list of other complications. I talked to my surgeon and he said there should be no reason why I wouldn't have a much healthier pregnancy this time around. I was schocked however to find myself pregnant so soon after a miscarriage. Well my Ferritin is low at 8 my blood sugars are really low, and I have gained 45lbs which just scares the hell out of me. My blood pressure is great, and I have trace amounts if any protein at all in my urine. The baby is active constantly only he is a double footling breech. I am scheduled for a C-section on the 22 of November at 39 weeks, only I had my first son at 36 weeks. My doctor seems relatively unconcerned with the weight gain, but I gained some weight with the other pregnancy and subsequent miscarriage and went into this one at 178lbs...and Im 223. Have any of these issues happened with anyone else...ie..low ferritin, breech baby, massive weight gain...and what happened? I am now taking extra prenatals and 2 extra Iron pills a day, and have blood work on the 26th, but how low is 8?? What if it doesn't go up? My doc hasn't really filled me in on all that because he doesn't want me to worry. What is the most anyone gained and did you lose it and how long did it take? Were the babies healthy? Small? What about this breech issue, is this normal?? I have so many questions and really don't feel like I have anyone who understands at all....Help!! Thank you in advance :)

My ferritin ended up at 10, I think, and it rebounded after birth very quickly. I took lots of oral iron in pregnancy and ate a lot of meat but it just tanked anyway.  I had a c-section and didn't have to have a transfusion or anything, but if you end up with low hemoglobin, I believe they might give you a transfusion,.  With a double footling breech, I think you just really need to stay on top of how you feel and get in to the hospital if you suspect your water has broken or you are in labor before your scheduled c-section.  My post-op baby was about 3/4 of a pound smaller than my pre-op baby, but very healthy.

Talk to your OB, but it sounds like while you have a few things going on, it's probably not anything to lose sleep over.  Hang in there and I hope all goes well for you.

Going into surgery with low ferritin isn't the best idea, but yours isn't horrible. Is it supposed to be around 11-13 during pregnancy? Last time mine was checked it was a 3 so they will probably do a couple iron infusions in a month or so. If your doc isn't concerned then you're probably OK. But ask him if the infusion is an option for you. He may prefer for your numbers to go up before surgery. Good luck!

Tina