26 weeks, feeling ok but now anemic...

Hello everyone. I'm 26 weeks today! Almost in the third trimester! Crazy!!!

I got my test results back from my last OB appt. So I passed my Gestational Diabetes test "with flying colors" but apparently am pretty anemic. Nothing to be overly concerned about except they will be testing me at every dr. appt from now on to see if my levels can get back up there. I'm prone to anemia anyway, but I honestly thought with eating meat again, it wouldn't be a problem. At least it explains why I've been so tired and crabby and get winded so easily. They've put me on an additional iron supplement and will see if that does it. If not, I'll have to go sit in for an iron drip. That sounds like a blast. Fingers crossed that I don't have to deal with that. Apparently it's not a big deal for the baby and there isn't much risk- I mostly suffer the effects of being anemic. If we don't get it under control, it can take me longer to recover after delivery and if I bleed a ton for whatever reason during delivery, I may need a transfusion.

And until I get my levels where they need to be I can suffer from:
But as it gets worse, you may have these symptoms (from the March of Dimes website):
Fatigue (very common)
Weakness (very common)
Dizziness
Headache
Numbness or coldness in your hands and feet
Low body temperature
Pale skin
Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Irritability (THAT'S WHY I HAVE BEEN SO CRABBY!)
Not doing well at work or in school
Because your heart has to work harder to pump more oxygen-rich blood through the body, all of these signs and symptoms can occur.

Oh well. There are worse things to deal with during pregnancy, this one I can handle. As long as Gabriella is healthy, that's all I care about. :)

Anyway, here's where we're at fro 26 weeks:

How your baby's growing: The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

How your life's changing: Are you rushing around trying to get to childbirth classes and prepare your baby's room while still taking care of all your other daily tasks? Make sure that you also continue to eat well and get plenty of rest. Around this time, your blood pressure may be increasing slightly, although it's probably still lower than it was before you got pregnant. (Typically, blood pressure falls toward the end of the first trimester, and it tends to reach a low at about 22 to 24 weeks.)Preeclampsia — a serious disorder characterized by high blood pressure and protein in your urine — most often shows up after 37 weeks, but it can happen earlier so it's important to be aware of the warning signs of this condition. Call your caregiver if you have swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, more than slight swelling of your hands, excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, or rapid weight gain (more than 4 pounds in a week). With more severe preeclampsia, you may experience other symptoms. Let your caregiver know immediately if you have a severe or persistent headache, vision changes (including double or blurred vision, seeing spots or flashing lights, sensitivity to light, or temporary loss of vision), intense pain or tenderness in your upper abdomen, or vomiting. If your lower back seems a little achy lately, you can thank both your growing uterus — which shifts your center of gravity, stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, and may be pressing on a nerve — as well as hormonal changes that loosen your joints and ligaments. Plus, the extra weight you're carrying means more work for your muscles and increased stress on your joints, which is why you may feel worse at the end of the day. Walking, standing, or sitting for long periods, as well as bending and lifting can all put a strain on your back. A warm bath or hot compress might bring relief. (Some women, though, find cool compresses more comforting.) Try to maintain good posture during the day, avoid activities that require bending and twisting at the same time, take frequent breaks when sitting or standing, and sleep on your side with one or both knees bent with a pillow between your legs, using another pillow (or wedge) to support your abdomen.