Low Iron in Pregnancy: Why ‘Normal’ Labs Could Still be Wrong | 274

This episode is sponsored by SnugghugHave you ever been told your iron levels are "fine" and still felt exhausted, anxious, and completely off during pregnancy? I'm sitting down with Samantha Chandler of Wellness & Womb, a women's wellness coach who has completely changed the way I think about iron, minerals, and what our blood work is actually - and isn't - telling us.Samantha's own journey started with a simple question during her second pregnancy: why were so many women around her low in iron? What she uncovered led her down a path most OBs never talk about - the difference between low iron in the blood and iron that's dysregulated in the body. And as someone who has stood at the bedside for a lot of hemorrhages, this conversation hit close to home for me.We're getting into: Why "your iron is fine" doesn't tell the whole story - and what copper has to do with itThe symptoms doctors write off as "just pregnancy" that may actually point to a mineral imbalance What the placenta can reveal about what was really happening in mom's bodyWhy prenatal vitamins might not be doing what you think they're doingPractical, whole-food ways to support iron regulation - without supplements or infusionsThe "five minute rule" that helped Samantha decline an unnecessary inductionSamantha has worked with hundreds of women (and even coaches health providers) on this exact topic, and the results she's seen - including drastically reduced blood loss at birth - are the reason I wanted her on the show.This one might change how you look at your next lab work.More from Samantha Chandler:Visit wellnessandwomb.com Connect on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube @wellnessandwombThanks to our Sponsor Snugghug: Grab the Snugghug Nursing Cover and Nursing Shirt and use code 'LNMAMA10' for 10% off! Helpful Timestamps:00:00 Low Iron in Pregnancy02:19 Samantha’s Health Journey04:44 Iron Dysregulation Explained06:34 Pregnancy Labs Misread10:13 Testing Beyond Basics17:45 Prenatals and Whole Foods20:38 Labor and Birth SupportJoin The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off!Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐Connect w/ Trish: On InstagramOn YouTubeFor more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services