Ow- tummy troubles...

[Wabi Sabi]

I quite unexpectedly found out that I am pregnant only a few days ago. I immediately dug out a bottle of drugstore prenatal vitamins from the cabinet that I had leftover from the last time I tried to donate blood and was told that my iron was way too low. I took them for two days and each time the strong vitamin-y smell and taste made me vomit and I still continued to burp them up all day long. Yesterday I filled my prescription for Nutrinate chewable tablets and took one dose.

Already, after only three days, my guts feel like they're in a knot! I'm quite constipated and my stools are green. I'm assuming that iron is the culprit, no?

I already eat a good amount of fiber and will certainly try to increase the amount of water I drink, but is there anything else I can do? Should I continue to take them? Would it hurt to take a fiber supplement?

Since this is all so new and sudden, I don't have a midwife just yet. I've called the birthing center that I'd like to use but they haven't returned my call yet. Until I get a midwife lined up, I don't really have anyone to answer some of my questions!

Thanks in advance!

[rubelin]

if you have iron probs, you might try Floradix, it's made from vegatable sources and isn't constipating. Otherwise, you might just want to try and get your vits from food sources at least until the 1st trimester is over and your insides are a bit more aclimated to all the changes going on :)

[TurboClaudia]

Throw out the bad-smelling vitamins!!!!!!!!!!!!! Many health providers who recommend vitamins tell their clients that if the vitamins don't smell right, you probably shouldn't be taking them.

And as for iron, maybe try some food sources instead of in pills. You can look at this list (http://www.ivillage.com/food/experts/nutrition/qas/0,,165832_7459,00.html) or this one (http://www.ucsfhealth.org/childrens/edu/anemia.html) to find some good sources.

warmly,
claudia

[SamuraiEarthMama]

Floradix is a liquid, food-based vitamin that also comes with an extra iron formula. since it's food-based, it doesn't cause constipation at all. i was anemic with one pregnancy, and it cleared it up quite nicely.

it's not cheap, but it is SOOO worth it!

and congratulations!

katje