RemindMyLife

Wow the 3rd trimester and having low iron!

I was out walking yesterday and it started to rain and it was beautiful I felt the spots on my skin and I felt so alive and present. Then the weather turned without much notice and I was caught in a storm. I found myself running to get cover. I ran/walked into a panel beaters and asked it if I could wait out the storm here. They saw how pregnant I was and asked ‘would I like a coffee?’ and said ‘don’t worry we will drive you home’. The kindness and generosity was beautiful which I accepted. Note to self in future, I must check the weather forecast before heading out for my walk next time. lol

3rd trimester has been fun. Its very obvious Im pregnant, Im enjoying food and everyone getting excited about the baby. I had a baby shower with my close friends and we played some games and relaxed in a beer garden. I finished up work at 34 weeks as I was getting puffed out and was suffering from palpitations with some dizziness. Since finishing work things settle down and I have had a big clean out of my apartment. Donating clothes, throughing out paperwork, filing, fixing photo albums and getting the house as baby ready as possible. Ive also organise to catch up with friends and family to enjoy their time without any distractions. It really has been a very enjoyable and productive time. They say it is important to enjoy this time before the baby arrives and grieve your old life. Im guessing Il will get the full impact of why this is so important once our baby arrives.

We had our last check up with the physician and got the all clear at 36 weeks to continue to be looked after by the midwives. We had an ultrasound which showed that everything was normal, our baby had turned, the placenta looks healthy and the baby is a good size. Such a relief, I also had a blood test that day which showed I had very low iron. Which explains why Ive been crying at the tv, feeling very low in mood and getting super tired and puffed after my morning walks. I would highly recommend reporting these symptoms to your doctor or nurse sooner as this for me had been going on for atleast a few weeks untreated. Remember never self diagnose or take iron supplements without medical supervision as high levels of iron can be toxic.

So for treatment I was recommended to take ferro grad plus Vitamin C 1-2 tablets every second day for better absorption and to increase iron in my diet. So that day I went shopping and cooked up a big batch of spaghetti bolognese to help. Ive left you my recipe below! Ive also heard iron melts are also a good supplement. And for a natural alternative I also purchased natural mineral drink online for additional support, which I take 10mls three times a day.

Other helpful websites that have more information about healthy eating and good source of iron include:

the better health channel and

healthy eating during pregnancy; which gives advice on eating for mother and baby

And to support your symptoms during this time or if you need someone to talk too,

Panda; is a free counselling service for antenatal depression and anxiety, guys can call this service too and

Beyond Blue; is another helpful support guide for emotional health and wellbeing.

Im 38 weeks now so my baby is classed as term and Im now looking for ways to prepare for labour, the best thing Ive brought so far for this is my exercise ball. Its so comfortable to sit on and I can use it during labour. Remember gravity is our friend. Ive been advised that massaging your perineum with a little bit of moisturiser/oil can help to prevent tearing. It is now safe for me to start expressing and the latest research has shown that expressing is more effective at bringing on labour than sex or eating curries. However personal choice. Don’t forget that if you do start to express to label and freeze the colostrum. It is liquid gold and keeps for 3 months in the freezer and is good for 3 days at room temperature. For more education and support regarding breast feeding please visit the Australian Breastfeeding Association, talk to your midwife, your obstetrician or lactation consultant. Lastly taking care of your pelvic floor is so important, try to make a habit of doing exercises everyday to maintain good bladder habits and improve bladder control. If you are needing more support please refer to the continence foundation for more information, your midwife, obstetrician or physio.

Remember enjoy these last few days/weeks preparing, relax, treat yourself and enjoy your time as you will never get it back. I wish you a very safe birth when it happens and a healthy baby.

Lots of love

Sheridan x

Brought to you by RemindMyLife

All the information on our website is free, so we welcome Donations to cover the administration and running costs. Thank you, we really appreciate all of your love, support and encouragement to continue.

Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe

Ingredients:

500g of mince

1 tub of tomatoe paste

2 tins of tomatoes

2 carrots cut into small pieces

1 capsicum cut into small pieces

1 cup of beans/broccoli

Salt n pepper

Italian herbs

Two hand fulls of fettuccine/spaghetti pasta (put in boiling water for 13mins for al dente)

Grated cheese optional

Instructions:

Add cooking oil to the pan wait til hot then add the mince and cook until brown, drain off excess water, then add the tomatoe paste and the two tins of tomatoes. Break up the tomatoes with a wooden spoon to make the sauce and add the veggies, italian herbs and salt n pepper to taste. Simmer and stir for another 10-15mins. Cook the pasta for 13mins during this time. Then drain the pasta and grab a couple of plates and containers as you will have lots of left overs. Put the pasta on the plate, add the mince and veggie sauce and cheese to taste on top. Hope you enjoy!

Serves 4-5

Cooking/preparation time 25-30mins

Time to pack my bags. So what do we need to take to the hospital?!

It was after my last session on how to care for the arrival of our little baby that I realised, yep I need to pack my bags, it wont be long now and I need to be prepared to go. They covered this in great detailed at our education session but Id like to share my flavour on it just for you.

I started by getting out a large suit case and a small carry bag. Remember Im packing for 3. Pete, baby and myself. Then I gathered out what I thought I needed onto the spare bed and laided it all out so I could see. The big bag is for pete and I and the small carry bag is for the baby.

So where to start? Packing its first bag, this is exciting. Lots of little cute things, make sure you have everything washed and ready to wear. I started by picking out our first babies outfit. So when choosing this outfit you need to think layers. So nappy, singlet, grow suit, something that covers the hands, bonds ones are good for this, a little hat to keep its head warm, thanks mum for knitting us one and a swaddle. Once you work out what you are going to choose you may want to run it past your significant other or support person as they may want to be involved in this moment. Now I put that in a little clear bag of its own and labelled it 1st babies outfit, so if we don’t get to dress our baby for the first time, the nurses will be able to take care of it for us. So for the rest of our stay the baby will realistically need 4-5 changes whilst in the hospital, so you will need to pack a packet of newborn nappies, a packet of wipes, four singlets, two hats, five night gowns/grow suits, three bunny rugs including one thinker blanket, two pairs of mittens, socks/booties. I also included gaia baby wash, baby powder and sudocrem.

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If planning to formula feed you will need to bring the following equipment with you for your hospital stay. 6 sterilised bottles, teats and lids, 1 tin of your chosen formula, sterilser- a microwave steam steriliser is recommended.

Okay now for the labour, well we don’t know when this is going to start but you want to be comfortable for when it does. I treated myself to a loose fitted nightgown with a matching dressing gown. So if I get down to wearing nothing the dressing gown will be easy to put on and give me some coverage. A loose fitted T- shirt or button up shirt would do the trick too. Don’t forget to pack your camera, your music with portable speaker and portable charger. Otherwise most hospitals require electrical equipment to be tested by their engineer department before you can use it. Which you can organise in the weeks before hand. Other items you may wish to include and I would highly recommend is some massage oil, gel heat/cold packs, vomit bags, pads, lip balm and some high energy food and drinks especially for your support person. I put in some redskins and lollie pops to suck on as a treat. Bathers and towel is also recommended for partners if using the bath or going into the shower as there is only one nakes person aloud.

After the birth, you and your support person will want a change of clothes, something casual and comfortable, you will need a dressing gown and slippers or shoes. Some high waisted underwear atleast a couple of pairs for each day. Two maternity bras and nursing pads. Atleast 2-3 packets of thick maternity pad. Your pjs or nightgown that opens at the front for breast feeding and your toiletries. Treat yourself to a new set of toiletries and have them ready to go in the bag including a tooth brush for your support person. I’ve packed shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer, antiperspirant, toothpaste, toothbrush and bodywash. I was also recommended to include lanolin to start using straight away after you breast feed to help sooth, protect and heal cracked nipples. Make-up, not all of you will wear it but for those of you who wear it daily, I suggest you have your daily make-up packed in a bag that can be grabbed from the bathroom nice and easy. Lots of photos will be taken of you and your new little bub and if this is something you wear daily you may feel naked without it.

Other things you will need to do to help you prepare is put some plastic bags/covers and towels in the car. I have already put mine on the seats ready to go. You will need your medicare card and health care card handy to take to the hospital along with your record of your birth plan and health care record of your pregnancy. Before you are able to leave the hospital you will need to have an approved car restraint fitted. Here is the link for safety advice for using infant restraints. If you get a certificate of approval for your car seat restraint take that into the hospital too. You may wish to cook some meals and put them in the freezer for when you get home and your baby will need a place to sleep when it arrives. So time to make its bed, remembering no pillows or toys in the bassinet. For more information on how to sleep baby safely and avoid sleep accidents visit Rednose (sids and Kids).

Hope that helps…..Now the waiting game begins.

Love and best wishes to you all.

Sheridan x

Brought to you by Remindmylife.com

All the information on our website is free, so we welcome Donations to cover the administration and running costs. Thank you, we really appreciate all of your love, support and encouragement to continue.