Constipation agony & iron tablets

[monkeysmama]

Tmi alert before I start. Not one of the nicer sides of pregnancy. I started taking iron tablets the dr have me for anaemia last week, on top of the Pregnacare I've been taking since finding out I was of. I'm in what I can only describe as agony today with black poo struggling to get out. Having spent almost an hour writhing on the loo (with my adorable toddler trying to help) I'm now laying down which is the only way I can get comfy. My bum is sore and feels swollen. What can I do? TIA.

Ask your doctor if they can prescribe some different tablets, I didn't get on with ferrous sulphate but have been managing fersaday tablets. They should also be able to recommend something for the constipation. Hope you feel better soon

Thanks Lala. I'll get a gp appt and ask. Til then I'll stay laying down I fear.

Yes, if you are in agony with it make sure you let them know so you can get an appointment asap

I think you can have lactulose when pregnant (pretty sure that is what they gave me) but it takes a while to work and you need to stick at it. Otherwise I always found a bath relaxed me enough to get it out but not without the pain and the sensation you are pushing your insides out - I feel your pain - I am 10 weeks with DC3 and not looking forward it again.

Try eating kiwis and oranges, as well as baked apples. Drink lots of water and ask for different iron tablets. I would also check whether you are allowed to continue with pregnacare: I was on another brand and had to stop when I started iron tablets.

I had similar and I just cut down my iron dose, I'm afraid. And drank prune juice to get rid of blockage. Also, asked at chemist and they agreed to give me lactulose. It is a horrible feeling isn't it!

I had this same thing with one of mine, when I told the midwife she checked my iron count in my notes and said it really wasn't that bad at all and told me to just stop taking them! I was so relieved though, being constipated is horrid. I just tried to increase the iron in my diet. Maybe you could ask (if you don't already know of course) how low your iron count actually is? If it's not too bad I say this level of discomfort and pain is simply not worth it.

All really helpful comments. Thanks very much. Am seeing midwife in the week and I will raise some of these questions.

What dose are you on and did you go straight in at top dose? they recommend that you work it up slowly to the prescribed doseage otherwise it can cause stomach aches, upset stomachs, and as you've found out, chronic constipation.

I'd see about dropping down to the minimum and working your way up, your GP should really have told you this!

Are you very anaemic?

Because if you could get away with over the counter stuff, SpaTone is brilliant. It's a foul tasting liquid, but you can mix it with orange juice, and take 2 a day. I took it when I was pregnant/breast feeding, and never had any side effects. You can get it in Boots and supermarkets.

Please see thread about 20 prunes

also once this current blockage is gone, try linseeds. you take a tablespoonful and 2 glasses of water a couple of times a day. It really does prevent further constipation.

I took fibrogel when pregnant. Tastes disgusting, but should help. Also masses of water should ease things a little.

I really should know better - lactulose didn't seem to be helping my constipation, so tried prune juice this morning (only 6 spoonfuls!). It had exactly the same effect as last time - no more constipation (hurray!) And a big bout of vomitting

I took lactulose in my first trimester - and I wasn't even on iron tablets!

I've been taking iron tablets for about a month now (34 weeks pregnant), and can get seriously bunged up if I'm not careful. A brisk walk - think 20 minutes without stopping - works wonders.
I also drink a small glass of prune juice every evening with dinner. It is disgusting, but works very very well. As well as a pint of water with each meal/snack.
And when I feel like I need to go, but can't - I squat on the bathroom floor, with my bottoms off and hanging onto the bath tub until I feel like it's..erm...just about to pop out, then I leap up onto the toilet.

Spatone or floradix instead - neither cause constipation. Iirc you shouldn't be taking pregnacare and iron as it has rda iron in.

Hth!

I'm still in my first trimester and not on iron tablets but doctor prescribed lactulose for my constipation. As someone else said, it does take a few days to kick in and you have to make sure you keep taking it, but it's definietly making a difference for me

It baffles me that drs prescribe these shitty tablets that bung you up because the iron is so hard to absorb. I guess they are cheap. Spatone or iron as citrate tablets won't block you.

Another vote for spatone

are you making sure you take some extra vitamin C either in food or supplement? they help the iron absorb a lot faster. I used to take mine with a glass of orange juice.

I second the linseed tip. I was almost sobbing in pain until I tried this. It's really helped.

I was on 3 of thse little sods a day and had to resort to fybrogel every so often - just been told I can cut them out which is a blessed relief. I hate black poohs! Tried prune juice but as in first trimester it just made me want to hurl. Good luck!

Another vote for Spatone. Spatone is v expensive compared to "standard " iron tablets, which is why it is not prescribed.

I can recommend spatone.

I was given iron tablets after my 28 weeks blood count came back low (9.1 and iron stores only 77) but they made me constipated and sickly. I've been taking spatone ever since (am now 38 weeks) and my iron is back up to normal. I just take 2 sachets a day in fresh oj. No side affects what so ever. My midwife recommended them. They are on 3 for 2 in boots at the mo so you get an £8.25 box for free which is an excellent saving.

They are always 3 for 2 at boots. I once asked how long the offer was in for and they said it had been for several years.