I never want to take an iron tablet again.

[Grimmfebruary]

Sorry for the tmi but I've been sat on the toilet for 35 minutes half way through a poo.

Trip to the doctors tomorrow! I can't take another however many weeks feeling like my arse is being torn open 😭😂

I honestly think labour will be less painful than this 😂

[Iwasjustabouttosaythat]

Are you also taking fibre tablets?

[Grimmfebruary]

No I was just prescribed the iron tablets! It hadn't been too bad until tonight, was eating lots of veg and high fibre cereal.

[thingymaboob]

I'm taking iron tablets and I'm taking fibregel sachets. Lactulose is also good and you can buy it over the counter. It draws water into bowel to make stools softer and easier to pass. Make sure you're drinking plenty of water. I'm taking ondansetron which is an anti sickness tablet for hyperemesis and it's notorious for terrible constipation. I have found the sachets and lactulose really helpful. Good luck! Nothing worse! 💐

[cannotmakemymindup]

Are you taking it with Orange juice and not drinking tea/coffee at same time as tablet?

[chocolateorangeowls]

Lactulose, orange juice and plenty of water.

[Grimmfebruary]

Was taking it with water and have been drinking orange juice. Midwife prescribed the iron tablets and instructions just said to take with cold drinks 1 tab 3 times again.

I'm still sat here. It's stuck. Like I can't physically get the rest of it out!

[thingymaboob]

Don't strain, get off the toilet and do something to relax for 10 mins if you can.

[Grimmfebruary]

And it's over!! 50 minutes later. It's not even that impressively sized 😂

My entire stomach is hurting now though 😂😂

[ShoesHaveSouls]

How bad is your anaemia? Iron tablets can be awful. I had to take them when dd3 was a newborn - I had a PPH - but not bad enough for a transfusion.

It was awful, and I ended up ringing the midwife and moaning to her that this was ruining my first days with my baby. SHe told me to come off them, eat iron rich food and they'd take it from there.

I'd speak to the GP/midwife again.

[cannotmakemymindup]

Orange juice helps with irons absorption and also good aid to help you go. Although not in your current predicament...
Could you raise your feet at all so as to be almost slightly squatting? May help.
Tea and coffee are to be avoided, for I think a couple of hours, after iron tablets as the tannins stop irons absorption.

[ShoesHaveSouls]

*it ended up being fine - my iron levels naturally built up again, and I didn't have to go back on the tablets.

But don't come off them without speaking to your HCP.

[cannotmakemymindup]

Oops just seen your okay!!

[Grimmfebruary]

Oh god I love my cups of tea, I've been drinking about 7 cups of decaf a day 😂 I'm going to phone the doctors tomorrow and I'm seeing the midwife on Wednesday as it is so will mention.

I have no idea how low my iron levels were but they were obviously low enough to need tablets.

[confused123456]

Op you have my sympathy. I was prescribed them both during my pregnancy and after the birth.
I couldn't take them. They made me so sick. I told the midwife and they tried a different type but that was just as bad. In the end I just never took them.
But I'd speak to someone and see if they can do anything else.

[Grimmfebruary]

I'm still sat on the loo as it feels like I'm not finished. My poor dp has gone to bed after receiving text updates 😂

I think a trip to the doctors is my best option. Will probably get seen tomorrow as my gps only so same day appointments.

[cannotmakemymindup]

Sounds like a good idea the doctors.
I think Decaff still has tannins in to. Sorry!
The things we do for our babies!!

[Grimmfebruary]

It probably does, I just didn't want to look like a total tea addict, but I am 😂 Can't wait to get back to my 10 cups a day of ringtons after birth!


Thanks for all the tips and concern, will be bearing the tips in mind incase this happens again 😒

[itshappening]

I have been taking 210 mg three times a day for a long time, even before pregnancy I was dangerously anaemic. I am getting tested on Tuesday to see how I am doing. I hope I can come down to one or two, it is grim. To be honest I have often cheated and unofficially only had one or two as there is only so much you can take. It is worth trying the different types though...ferrous fumerate, ferrous sulphate, another I forget...some people tolerate one type better than another.

[gluteustothemaximus]

The doctors iron tablets are evil.

Spatone is the best way to get iron. Natural iron water, absorbs far higher than the tablets do. Expensive but so worth it. Take with OJ.

They do them in Tesco.

[SonicBoomBoom]

Taking iron tablets in pregnancy destroyed my arse body.

I'd rather risk the PPH to be honest, it was actually much less unpleasant.

[not helpful]

[Mustang27]

Yeah they really need to prescribe lactulose with iron tablets. Constipation is a given with them.

Get some natures finest prunes in juice they taste pretty palatable and get yourself to pharmacy ASAP.

[itshappening]

Is lactulose safe in pregnancy then? Are any other laxatives ok, eg Senna?

[Bloomed]

I second spatone sachets!

[Mustang27]

itshappening I am not a pharmacist nor a trained dr however I had to take ondansetron to help with extreme sickness and this causes awful constipation.

My dr was happy for me to try all the laxatives unfortunately they didn't work for me at all and I had to stop taking the meds. So yes they can be taken but I'd always check with dr first.

[UtterlyRainbowed]

I feel your pain. Not the sitting on the toilet for hours. I had iron tablets from February to July DC2 was born in April. If I never ever see another iron tablet it will be far too soon. Good luck xxx