Increasing Iron and... going to the bathroom

[RcdM]

Hi ladies!

Just another random post here - my doctor told me my bloodwork came back showing I was borderline anemic and wants me to start taking 325mg of Iron a day in addition to my prenatal. I haven't started yet but going to pick up the supplements today. I didn't think to ask at the time, but after a very unpleasant few weeks with super constipation, I'm worried that this is going to make things even more difficult! I know there are things I can take for constipation and I took a stool softener a few days ago and that helped, but I surely shouldn't have to take one every single day until I give birth? Or can I? I have been eating lots of fruit and things that I thought were high in fiber lately but it hasn't done a thing. Any suggestions? It sucks because when I was pregnant with my dd I was sooo regular it was crazy. Like I was going at the same time every single day like clockwork and it was wonderful. So I was expecting the same with this pregnancy and it's the complete opposite.

Thanks!

 

[RinnaRoo]

The iron will make you even more constipated. Sorry.
Drinks lots of water and try a fiber supplement. It will also make the poo dark.

 

[CastawayBride]

I am talking to my doctor about this on Weds. I go, but, the texture makes it hard to get flushed. I am constantly clogging the toilet. Its driving me nuts!

 

[Luvspnk31]

I take a magnesium supplement daily to help combat constipation. I just read something about aloe juice helping tremendously with constipation, but haven't checked to see if its safe during pg. I suppose u could take a stool softener everyday, they gave me horrible cramps so I couldn't.

 

[CastawayBride]

I take a magnesium supplement daily to help combat constipation. I just read something about aloe juice helping tremendously with constipation, but haven't checked to see if its safe during pg. I suppose u could take a stool softener everyday, they gave me horrible cramps so I couldn't.

Magnesium has helped me somewhat but I still feel disgusting. Lol OP I didn't have this in my first pregnancy either must be bc I have a little lady this time lol

 

[Luvspnk31]

I take a magnesium supplement daily to help combat constipation. I just read something about aloe juice helping tremendously with constipation, but haven't checked to see if its safe during pg. I suppose u could take a stool softener everyday, they gave me horrible cramps so I couldn't.

Magnesium has helped me somewhat but I still feel disgusting. Lol OP I didn't have this in my first pregnancy either must be bc I have a little lady this time lol

I've noticed I make little more constipated than I was, I might see if dr thinks it's ok to increase it. I'm looking into the aloe juice too. I've heard it's helpful with IBS as well, which I have.

 

[Luvspnk31]

Just did some research on the aloe juice. It is recommended that pregnant and lactating women DO NOT USE. It can cause uterine contractions, and isn't known if it's excreted into breastmilk.

 

[RcdM]

Hmm very interesting, thanks ladies! I went to get my iron supplements today and found it really confusing - they said I need to take 325mg daily and when I got to the store the only options were like 65mg max, and something about 200mg ferrous sulfate... I don't know which is which or what I'm looking for so I'm going to have to call my doctor in the morning and ask, and I'll ask about this too. The aloe juice doesn't sound like something we should take. I wonder if I just take a fiber supplement too... but geez it's like I'm taking a million pills by the end of the day.

And LOL CastawayBride it's funny because I am pregnant with a boy this time! I feel like all the opposite wive's tales happened. I thought it was the girls that stole your beauty but it seems as though this little boy doesn't follow that! I've got bad acne on my face that started around 18 weeks that won't go away, I've been super constipated the entire pregnancy... with my dd I never had any of these problems lol.

 

[CastawayBride]

Hmm very interesting, thanks ladies! I went to get my iron supplements today and found it really confusing - they said I need to take 325mg daily and when I got to the store the only options were like 65mg max, and something about 200mg ferrous sulfate... I don't know which is which or what I'm looking for so I'm going to have to call my doctor in the morning and ask, and I'll ask about this too. The aloe juice doesn't sound like something we should take. I wonder if I just take a fiber supplement too... but geez it's like I'm taking a million pills by the end of the day.

And LOL CastawayBride it's funny because I am pregnant with a boy this time! I feel like all the opposite wive's tales happened. I thought it was the girls that stole your beauty but it seems as though this little boy doesn't follow that! I've got bad acne on my face that started around 18 weeks that won't go away, I've been super constipated the entire pregnancy... with my dd I never had any of these problems lol.

I have been taking milk of magnesia the days I go to the gym. I walk a mile or so there and believe it's helped me go, still clogs the toilet though

 

[tah2012]

My first was a boy and I struggled with constipation the entire time. Pretty sure this one is a girl, though no real proof yet (15 wks today), and I'm still experiencing constipation.

Here are a few things I've heard from my doctors:

• Do not take iron with milk or a calcium supplement. It disrupts absorption. You shouldn't take prenatal vitamins with them either.
• Fiber is great for getting things moving. I find even a little daily gummy supplement makes a difference. I take vitafusion brand.
• Water, water, water! Fiber and other supplements really need lots of water in order for them to work properly. The less water in your system the more that gets extracted from your waste, and that equals harder poop and constipation. Digestion already slows down a lot during pregnancy naturally, meaning we lose more water out of our waste in the process.

As far as taking a stool softener daily, I wouldn't do it. Definitely seek approval from your doctor before deciding to do that and try to make other dietary changes before taking that route. Also, remember, constipation actually refers to the consistency (for lack of a better word coming to mind) of poop, rather than the frequency.

Oh, and you could try good old fashioned prune juice.

There are no fool proof answers and you very well may battle constipation your entire pregnancy. But, do know you are not alone, and, whenever you do feel the need to go, don't hold it! It'll back you up more and make it worse. Not sure if any of this helps you or anyone else reading this, but I hope it does. Good luck!

 

[CastawayBride]

My first was a boy and I struggled with constipation the entire time. Pretty sure this one is a girl, though no real proof yet (15 wks today), and I'm still experiencing constipation.

Here are a few things I've heard from my doctors:

• Do not take iron with milk or a calcium supplement. It disrupts absorption. You shouldn't take prenatal vitamins with them either.
• Fiber is great for getting things moving. I find even a little daily gummy supplement makes a difference. I take vitafusion brand.
• Water, water, water! Fiber and other supplements really need lots of water in order for them to work properly. The less water in your system the more that gets extracted from your waste, and that equals harder poop and constipation. Digestion already slows down a lot during pregnancy naturally, meaning we lose more water out of our waste in the process.

As far as taking a stool softener daily, I wouldn't do it. Definitely seek approval from your doctor before deciding to do that and try to make other dietary changes before taking that route. Also, remember, constipation actually refers to the consistency (for lack of a better word coming to mind) of poop, rather than the frequency.

Oh, and you could try good old fashioned prune juice.

There are no fool proof answers and you very well may battle constipation your entire pregnancy. But, do know you are not alone, and, whenever you do feel the need to go, don't hold it! It'll back you up more and make it worse. Not sure if any of this helps you or anyone else reading this, but I hope it does. Good luck!

Doing all that, already. It stinks I didn't have this with my son, I wish for diarhea, so you know I'm desperate! Lol going to see if I can drop the iron to every other day and get a prenatal without it to take on the off days!!

 

[tah2012]

You can always stand to increase your fluid intake. Non-pregnant women should be consuming water equal to half their body weight in ounces every single day. Pregnant and breastfeeding women even more so. I'm sure there is no harm in cutting back on the iron. It for sure won't hurt baby in any way. If you have trouble finding a prenatal without iron you like, just take a regular multivitamin. They are actually just as good and a lot of people that can't take prenatals (makes them sick, etc.) take multivitamins instead. Maybe you will find it helpful. I am actually borderline anemic too. My iron was technically in the normal range when they tested, however it was at the very bottom of the normal range, making me at risk. My doctor told me it really didn't matter if I took iron or not. She said if I felt like I needed it one day to take one but overall not to worry.

 

[TryinFor1]

I took a stool softener everyday with my son and I do mostly with this one. A few months Of using one daily will you get your body dependant unless you have chronic pooping problems and take one for way longer. I also used Miralax a few Times a week. So even though others wouldn't do it, and you might not want to, you certainly can take one daily.

High fiber foods, fruits and veggies, juices, lots of water. All those things should help too.

 

[CastawayBride]

OP how did you do? Any better?

I found out it was the IRON.

I was immediately taken off my pre natals. I was told I had 48 hours to have a bowel movement after 2-3 weeks of nothing really then a little bit. If not, hospital it was.

Happy to say 48 hours later, a 3 tablespoon amount of Milk of Magnesia I finally had relief, for 3 days straight! As soon as I feel better doctor is going to let me take my Pre natal ever other day. I was aloud to get a prenatal with out the Iron, I found that GNC has one.

 

[emeeorevan]

All prenatal vitamins make me either sick or constipated.y doc has been ok with me taking Flintstones with iron (its a kids vitamin). A regular Childs dose each day just to make sure my levels stay balances. it could really be something as simple as your prenatals. Ask your doc. Woman have had babies for thousands of years without supplements taking a day or two off your prenatals to see if things clear up can't hurt but ask your doc first. Jic.

 

[RcdM]

So far it's actually not been so bad. I haven't been taking stool softeners or anything on top of the additional iron, I still take my prenatals too, but I did start eating a banana with a little peanut butter every morning. And that really seems to be helping (I assume). Now I seem to go like every other day or every third day, which is better than every 2 weeks! And it's not so hard to go like it had been before where I felt like I was trying to push a rock out, LOL sorry TMI. I'm not sure if the banana and peanut butter are helping or just that my body is adjusting a little more back to normal or what. But so far so good.

Glad you had some relief too CastawayBride!! I imagine that hospital visit would NOT have been fun.