Just say "yucky patooey" to iron........

[Miakoda]

So at my checkup this past Monday, I actually passed the glucose test for the first time! Two previous pregnancies with gestational diabetes and I just expected this one to be a given, but nooooooo........I didn't go above 108!

However, it was found out that my red blood cell count was very low, so low that my doctor's nurse actually called today to make sure I had gotten my prescription for the iron pills filled and had started taking them in addition to my daily Flintstone vitamins (yes, I'm that pregnant person that takes 2 kiddie vitamins versus a "bit girl" vitamin ).

At this point, it's so low that I now get to see my OB on a weekly visit for blood work despite me only being right under 27 weeks. He said if I delivered early at this point in time, I'd almost for sure need a transfusion or 2 (it's my 3rd c-section and he's supposed to do some repair work making it an extended surgery time).

So of course, I don't want my baby's health or mine in jeopardy so I'll take my iron, but man that junk is nasty! I swear, if I burp, I vomit just from the downright horrid taste the iron brings up. (TMI? ) It's a good iron supplement, better than some over-the-counter versions, but it sucks that I can't take it with anything that might make it "taste" better like some toast/bread or dry cereal or something. Darn iron for being finicky on what it allows to block its absorption...........

[AGonzalez]

Ewww, I always hated the prenatal vitamins with iron, just such a nasty taste coming back up.

Hope all goes well though, good vibes for you!

[Renee750il]

Check and see if you can't take it with orange juice. Iron typically needs vitamin C to be properly absorbed and the oj kills the taste pretty well.

What kind of iron is it? There's one called Mol-Iron that isn't too bad.

[Pam111]

Ugh, yeah iron is gross. I have been taking it for a very long time now and it's still always low. I don't absorb it well. It was very low low during pregnancy.
Great about no GD! 108 is a good number

[ACooper]

Glad it's going reasonably smooth Mia, LOL

I couldn't take "big girl" vitamins during my pregnancies either Mia (at least not the prenates) I had to take centrum back then. It wasn't just the taste, they would make me vomit every time I tried.

Then later on AFTER pregnancies, it was discovered I was a little low in iron and was told to take an iron pill. Okie dokie...........tried and they made me barf too. (so obviously, that was my issue with prenates) They don't set well with my tummy...........so I had to work hard eating iron rich foods to get it back up "naturally" but better than barfing the pills up, LOL

[FoxyWench]

for anyone that can eat it...

MARMITE...(or veggimite for those looking into australian import)

they say you either love it or you hate it...
its yeast extract and looks like tar, usually eaten on toast...
but its incredibly high in iron and b vitimins!
and if your ok with the initial taste there is not repeating once its been eaten.
it does have a spice to it though so spread thinly.

personally i LOVE the stuff, mum ate it all the time when pregnant with me, goes in for her first prenatal "oh your iron is going to be low so youll have to take iron pills" blood work comes back her iron is actually HIGH...
yay marmite.

i cant take iron pills, they make me very ill, but i have to keep my iron up (my "LOW" is above an average persons high!) and thats how i do it...marmite on toast every day!

[Renee750il]

Black strap molasses!

[Saintgirl]

Yay for no diabetes!! But too bad about having to take the iron pills. My iron levels have been great, but the gestational diabetes have been making my life tough during this pregnancy. Like you I have PCOS and only have half a pancreas to boot, so I have been taking many shots of insulin to get through this. The only good thing I can say about GD is that I get to have my little boy in 3 1/2 more weeks instead of 4 1/2!

[Miakoda]

Originally Posted by Renee750il

Check and see if you can't take it with orange juice. Iron typically needs vitamin C to be properly absorbed and the oj kills the taste pretty well.

What kind of iron is it? There's one called Mol-Iron that isn't too bad.

Yeah, I'm supposed to take it with O.J., but my reflux protests certain juices. Nothing like some additional burping to make the iron-taking experience that much worse.

[Renee750il]

There's an acid reduced orange juice now. I think it's Minute Maid? Or try orange/papaya. Papaya really helps with digestive issues. Or maybe mix a smoothie with orange juice, banana, some honey and yogurt?