Multivitamins and Additional Iron Tablets

[Roserouge]

Hi everyone,

At my 16 wk appointment midwife said my iron was low and asked what I'd been taking. Up until then id only been taking folic acid. She said I needed to start taking a multivitamin, vitamin D and an iron tablet she would prescribe to me.

As the multivit has the daily dose of iron is it ok for me to be taking more via the iron tablet as well as trying to have an iron rich diet?

Thank you for your responses in advance.

[Artistic]

Excess iron can cause constipation. So I take SPATONE. It's a liquid iron that keeps the stomach ok. The recommended dose for pregnant women is 2 sachets, but I just take 1 as my iron levels are good.

If you take iron tablets then watch your bowels carefully. Constipation in pregnancy is really difficult.

[SweetPeaPods]

If the multi vitamin has iron in I would just take that. You will have more blood tests at 28w if they come back with low iron you could start taking the extra iron tablet then.

[redexpat]

I am on my second pg in Denmark. Everyone takes pg vitamins as well as iron as a matter of course. Thre is a limit to how much irin your body can absorb so there is no point exceeding that, but rather unhelpfully i have no idea what the magic number is. I am taking double iron as have been feeling rough, and have had no cinstipation this time around.

[squizita]

I take seven seas pregnancy vitamins, they have all the ones you need in 1 tablet. Simple!

[Rainbow555]

If you are low on iron you can take more than just in the multivitamin. I struggle with constipation with the stuff the doc prescribes so use the liquid sachets or get something that says it is more easily absorbed, I take that with the prenatal vit that has iron in as my iron levels are too low

[ZingOfSeven]

Floradix with iron is lovely tasting (liquid multivitamin plus iron)

I used to take it or take Solgar's Gentle Iron plus a pg multivitamin (can't remember name sorry!)

don't take iron together with dairy - calcium interferes with iron absorption.
also take it at different times as magnesium (which is good if you have leg cramps)

if taking multivitamin tablets separate from iron rule of thumb is to take vitamins in the morning, minerals in the evening.
(I know most multivits have minerals too.)
take iron with orange juice ( or vit c tablets) to aid absorption