TMI bathroom question

[maisiedotes]

OK. I can't believe that I am posting this but I don't know where else to turn! My bowel movements have been extremely hard and... uh... large in size. My hiney has been bleeding from these bowel movements. I don't know what to do- before I was pregnant I didn't take a multivitamin but have been taking them religiously since I became pregnant. Could it be the iron? Does anyone else know anything about this? I have an appt with my Dr on Tuesday but would like some advice in the meantime if anyone has any to give. Would roughage and more fiber help? Thanks.

[GinaRae]

Yes, it's the iron. So sorry you're going through this! Talk with your doc about what you can do to loosen up and if s/he doesn't help I have another solution other than multi-vites.

Do increase your fruits and see if that helps!

[brooklyn_warbler]

:

it's probably the iron. you can talk to your m/w or doc about a prenate with less iron, or alternatives. but yes definitely up your fiber: fruit, veggies, whole grains, etc. the one week where i was having bathroom issues, PLUMS really helped me out.

[midwifetx]

Odds are that the doc is just going to give you an iron pill with a stool softener in it, which will make your poop not so hard, but won't fix the fact that ferrous sulphate is just not the best choice for human supplementation.

Choose a different iron that is not ferrous sulphate. Ferrous glucomate is good if you feel you must have a pill. Chlorophyll liquid works better and can be taken in orange or grape juice so you don't even taste it. Cranberry juice works to hide it too. Make sure you get 'unflavored' though, because mint and orange juice...eww.

[ASusan]

Take a bath with epsom salts tonight. Your body will absorb the magnesium, and you should have relief by early tomorrow afternoon. (This is the way it works in my body.)

I also take a calcium-magnesium supplement before bed. (I take my prenatals in the morning, so the iron doesn't interfere with the calcium.)

[sorteep]

you could try a multi w/o iron then take extra folic acid seperately to equal 800-1,000 mcg THEN take an iron supplement like liquid Floradix (the non contstipating formula) it is iron and herbs but don't let your doc tell you NO, it was designed by a midwife esp FOR PG moms with low iron.. great stuff, good luck, that and tons of water, fruit, benefiber, vegetables yada yada yada

ps normally I totally can not take a multi with iron for the same reason but I have had NO prob with the one I ma taking... Metagenics fem prenatal, you can go on their site to find a doc near you who can get them for you (it's NOT an MLM company, just a physician only distribution) try local chiros

[pixiesmommy]

I snack on prunes (dried plums) and drink prune juice and LOTS of water!
Apples/applesauce/apple juice helps too. Coffee will always make me go too!

If you can't tolerate the taste of prunes, SunSweet brand makes chocolate covered ones that taste just like raisins now and my dd and dh love them and she HATES the taste of prunes.

Hope you feel better!
Manda