TMI alert! Pregnant with constipation and piles - help!

[Porgs]

I'm 27 weeks. Was quite constipated early on but managed my diet well and all was ok. Then I started collapsing because of low iron levels. Iron supplements have helped this but the constipation is back. I think I have piles and there was loads of fresh red blood on the tissue and in the toilet bowl after my last bowel movement.

Anyone with similar experiences? What do I do? I'm taking spatone iron sachets rather than tablets as I'd read that they were a bit gentler.

I had horrible constipation during both my pregnancies and couldn't take any meds for it, because they gave me horrible cramps. In the end I just drank LOTS of water every day and took a Fybogel sachet morning and evening and that helped.

Lactulose taken daily and preparation h clear gel were an absolute godsend when I was pregnant and on iron supplements. The prep h gel is pregnancy safe as is just a soothing gel with witch hazel.

Eat loads of fibre and drink lots of water. I also have piles and varicose veins (vaginal ones) and what's really helped me is a big bowl of porridge with chia seeds, apples, raisins, anything you can throw in it that's high in fibre every morning. It's made a world of difference. I literally have the same thing every day and feel so much better. On top of that, when things do get a bit more blocked, I drink a sachet of fibyogel. It really helps.

Keep an eye on your iron levels though as you may need more than just the spatone. I was really anaemic after I had my first (passing out, barely able to make it to the toilet, heart palpitations, hb was a 6). I really needed a few weeks of the tablets and the constipation was totally worth it to feel better. It really can be managed (at the time I had stitches for a 2nd degree tear and I still managed with lots of fibre). You might also try adding in Floravital (high potency Floradix). It has more iron than Spatone, but isn't constipating. You can take them together. Plus vitamin C at every meal. I was taking 200mg iron tablets, plus Floravital, Spatone and vitamin C 3 times a day at meals. That got my levels up in about 2 weeks (from a 6) without too much discomfort. There are also lower potency gentle iron tablets you can take. Solgar does one. I don't find them constipating, so it's worth a try if you need more than you're currently getting.

I had terrible constipation in the early stages. I've been on iron tablets for over a week and now it's back. I also have piles it's absolute agony, I'm currently sat on the train which won't be helping. Have the midwife later too see it she can give me anything for piles, I feel your pain. It's absolutely horrid!