Anyone with constipation problems that has found vitamin tablets to suit?

[ButteryJam]

Hi

I have an extremely sensitive digestive system, that I can't even risk trying vitamin tablets, as I have a long history and the risk of resulting problems means its not worth trying.

Has anyone who has severe constipation problems tried any vitamin tablets that don't affect their digestive system?

Even when I'm not pregnant I have bowel problems (one extreme to the other depending on the part of my cycle I'm at).
I am in week 33. I take pregnacare plus. It's a multivitamin and omega capsule. At about 20 weeks I started taking a fibre supplement. This REALLY helps me. My midwife recommended it and I was skeptical but am glad I tried it. It really seems to even things out.
I take iron as and when I feel I need to. Every few weeks I get my iron levels checked. So far I'm doing ok. Iron supplements are the ones that really screw with me. I've tried different types and even a small amount of the tablet form really cause constipation for me. Spatone liquid supplement is by far the easiest on the system. With DC1 I took it about once every 5 days or so because I was only borderline needing it. The same with this pregnancy. I don't want to take any more than is absolutely necessary. I try to get as much iron into my diet and make sure not to have calcium rich food at the same time as my iron foods as it prevents the iron from being absorbed. Vitamin C helps with iron absorption so a glass of orange juice when eating red meat helps get the most from it.
On the couple of occasions that constipation has gotten bad I have taken a magnesium supplement. But I haven't found this necessary since starting the fibre supplement.
I checked everything with my doc/ midwife before taking. You should always do that.

Mamma, thanks! Which fibre supplement do you take? And is pregnacare not sufficient for the iron? I just need iron really.

Hi Buttery - as a chronic long-term constipation sufferer I just felt happier avoiding all vitamins as couldn't find one that didn't contain any iron at all. Checked with my doctor and she said not to worry, as long as my diet was good and varied with fruit and veg etc it would be fine not to take supplements. I have just been taking a vit D supplement of the same RDA that you get in a multi, and (when I remember!!) a fish oil supplement. No other vits or minerals. HTH!

The fibre supplement I take is called Lunelax but I live in Sweden so it's a Swedish brand. It contains Ispaghula husk. That's the fibre. It's not a laxative.
Ask your midwife/doctor if there is a fibre supplement that's suitable for you.
There is no iron in pregnacare plus. You can have a look on the makers website (vitabiotics) to see what's in it. I bought mine in the UK from their webpage but boots sell it too.
I also get my iron from the UK because Spatone is made in Wales. It's actually naturally occuring spring water. With ordinary tablet form iron your body absorbs only about 5% meaning your body has to eliminate 95% of it, causing constipation in people like us. With Spatone your body can absorb about 40%, meaning you take a lower dose and have to eliminate a much lower amount, resulting in less constipation. I've never had to take a daily dose of iron. If you are smart about how you combine it with food your body gets the most out of it.
Again, talk to your midwife about anything you plan to take.

I've just double checked and there is a "moderate" dose of iron in pregnacare.

However I am iron sensitive and it hasn't caused me problems. I've been taking it for a few years so perhaps my body has gotten use to it. I took it during my first pregnancy, then breastfeeding and I was still breastfeeding when I got pregnant again so didn't stop.

If you need iron find out about which fibre supplement you can take. It really does help me. When you are pregnant your whole system slows down a LOT anyway. Best cure is giving birth! Good luck!