Superpenguin the mum to be supplements often contain iron & vit C, so it's worth trying that. Or if you can stomach it, ovaltine, horlicks or the choc varieties of either are very good for extra minerals. I think I existed on choc horlicks for the first trimester of my first pregnancy. I was told to just eat ANYTHING I could - however seemingly unhealthy, when I was so ill first time round. First and only time a doc has ever begged me to eat Mars Bars all day!
Stir Fry Recipe
use whatever veggies you want. I use spring onions, peppers, bean sprouts, mange tout, baby corn, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, carrots. Garlic, soy sauce, lemon, chilli, cashew nuts. I use toasted sesame oil.
Heat toasted sesame oil and add in garlic, soy sauce, grated root ginger, lemon zest and chopped chilli. If using meat, stir fry this first. Then add the veggies. Grate more lemon zest into the whole thing and squeeze some lemon juice into it. Add soy sauce to taste (we use reduced salt version). Stir fry the fine thread noodles in garlic, soy sauce & spring onions for a real tasty dish. Or serve with baked tatties or rice. Yum. I could eat this every day, I think.
The doula: nope, she didn't tread on DH's toes at all. She was like a best mate/favourite aunt/mum/sister who would do whatever she could to help. She came for 6 weeks after DS was born, helped with BF technique, did chores, took DD to the park, made a pot of chilli/spag bol/soup for our tea, made me drinks and snacks. Sounds simplistic but with a new baby, an 18 month old and after major surgery it was amazing. Not for everybody, I grant you. Lets face it, it's a vulnerable time. But in the absence of a mum, a sister in law or any other female relative with any know-how she was a godsend to me. We are still in touch on Facebook. She came for 3 antenatal sessions too - as I was planning a VBAC. We did all the birth stuff, comfort measures etc. She gave me acupuncture to try and get labour going. Was on the end of a phone or email for 2 weeks either side of due date - 24 hours a day. She could have been with me while DH took DD to my brother. She could have done all the fetching and carrying of ice chips, drinks etc. She would have politely but firmly asked for more time/quiet/lights down/negotiated water birth blah blah. Essentially, she's somebody on your side. But lots of people get by just fine without. I just felt very alone and vulnerable and it was lovely to have another woman who didn't have all the emotional ties iyswim to come in and have my best interests in the forefront. She got on well with DH and had a very steady hand with the camera during the birth