Measuring Big @ 25 Weeks and Anemia

S.,

Being big could be a couple of things. I measured big too, and when they ran all the tests everything was normal. What ended up happening at 38 weeks my doctor induced me because the baby was measuring 42 weeks. They were afraid he would be over 10 pounds and I would not be able to deliver him naturally. What ended up happening in my case anyway, I had an amazing amount of amniotic fluid. This was causing me too measure larger than normal as well as magnify how large the baby was on sonograms. Be patient don't get of anxious or stress out.

As for the anemia, I can really help you out there. I have dealt with this all my life. Green vegetables and red meats are a great source of iron. When I say green vegetables, spinach, broccoli, asparagus, things of that nature. Then of course your red meats as I said. And fruits of course, darker fruits, blueberries and blackberries.

Good luck.

S.

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Hello,

I am 25 weeks as well! My stomach is HUGE! My diet hasn't been the best and there are days when my energy is really low. I looked in the vitamin aisle and found 'Gentle iron,' that combines iron, calcium, and vitamin C. Also- peanut butter has lots of iron too. Many cereals are fortified with iron.

Here's a list of other foods-
http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/handouts/dietary_sources_iro...

Good luck! This is my first child. I can't imagine having 3 of my own AND taking care of 3 others. You are a PRO!!!!
I have a new-found respect for my Mom that she had my 2 sisters while taking care of me.

M. S :)

2 moms found this helpful

I used chlorophyll to get my iron up. It helps increase iron by increasing your red blood cells. It was recommended by my midwife. I liked it better than iron pills which can cause constipation. You can by it at Whole Foods in liquid form. I mixed a tablespoon with orange juice then drank it. That's all I took and my iron went up a lot.

When you say you never measured big before, do you mean you measured big only at your last appointment? I usually measured right on with my second, but a couple times measured a few weeks ahead. I was told it could be because the baby had a growth spurt or because of the position he was laying in.

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I was also bigger than normal with my second child and it was all in the belly. I didn't know if I would make it to the end, but thankfully I did. It was not fat, it was amniotic fluid. As long as you are tested normal for you and your baby, then I wouldn't worry much. I know some people tend to retain alot of fluid in their legs etc, which I believe is another condition. Check that one out. I was and still am anemic so I have to eat dark green vegetables, spinach, kale, red kidney peas, red meat, lentil peas, raisins, grapes are all good sources of iron. Good luck.

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Do you like liver? Chick peas are good too. Hasn't the obgyn started you on iron shots? Are you taking your prenatal pills? These are general suggestions that work for most mommies to be. Good luck

1 mom found this helpful

I was anemic at 8 months pregnant - I was a vegetarian so I ate lots of GREENS and took Iron supplemets. I even received a couple of Vitamin B shots. But my Iron kept going down, so I had no choice but to go back to eating red meats and at labor time i had no complications my iron was up and great!

1 mom found this helpful

S.,
Congrats on the new baby!!!
I too am measuring big. I am 35 weeks, measuring 38 weeks. They did an ultrasound to see why...could be a big baby, too much amniotic fluid, or just that the baby's position is making you measure big. For me, it is a big baby with a tad too much amniotic fluid, nothing to be concerened about. Ask your doc about ordering an ultrasound to see why. THey just did mine last week. So maybe he/she will wait until you are further along??!!
Heather

I'm a little confused. They didn't tell you any reasons on why you might be measuring larger. I was measuring larger because I had more amnotic (spelling) fluid than normal.

Also, if you are anemic - does your doctor not have you on something already?? That is important to know. Also are you taking prenatals with iron added? Did he/she not recommend a diet already?? Use a cast iron skillet to cook veggies and other foods - that will help add in iron. I would get more specifics from your doctor. I was anemic and they failed to tell me until after I gave birth. They were mad at me for not knowing! Yeah, that is crazy. My energy was so low and I had no idea why until after I gave birth.

http://uhs.berkeley.edu/home/healthtopics/anemia.shtml

You should go find out that info by calling them back and asking these questions.

Good luck!

If you are taking an iron supplement, take it with orange juice, or take a vitamin C pill at the same time, as this will aid in the absorption of iron. Avoid soda and tea altogether. Tea contains tannic acid which acts as an iron blocker, and can keep your body form absorbing the iron, even if you are eating healthy or taking an iron supplement.

If your OB isnt concerned dont sweat it. I was huge. Usually it has to do with the elasticity of your abdominal muscles and how in shape you are. The less in shape, the faster you will balloon out. And dont listen to them tell you the baby is going to be huge. They said my son would be over 11 lbs, he was 7lbs 9oz. If you arent over eating and you are going for regular OB visits, you're fine.