Not a nice subject...SORRY!!!

[nic4]

Hi Ladies..

Sorry for the subject...Im due to have a caserean section on July 30th,im pg with one baby after my 4th ivf.At my last hospital app,they said i was low in iron and aneamic(sp?),so my doctor prescribed iron,the problem is they are making me severely constipated,to the point my back passage and stomach are in agony I would just give them up,but my doc said if i dont build up my iron levels,it will mean a blood transfusion when i get my section.I just wondered if anyone had any tips that might help me..

Thanks in advance...Nicola

[Charity]

Nicola...A stool softener taken daily should help, but if you'd rather go with a natural approach, either eating dried prunes or drinking prune juice should help. My sister swears by bran muffins, too, so you can always give that a shot...I just bought myself a package of those new dried prunes that are individually wrapped to take to work, cause I've been having the same issue. I have always been prone to constipation, so this should be interesting with the new pregnancy...I know what you mean about the subject, but unfortunately it's a reality of life...Not pretty, but can be a real health issue if things aren't working right, so it's a legitimate concern...Take care dear, and good luck with the c-section/arrival of your new miracle...

[meg12]

I agree with Charity about the stool softener. I am terrified of getting hemoroids--we have a family history of them and I just want to do everything I can to avoid them. Anyway, I started taking Colace at the first signs of constipation about 3 months ago and have just taken one a day everyday since. I've noticed that if I skip a day, it really is a lot um, harder to go...so it does work! The things they don't tell you about until you are pregnant, huh????
Good luck!

[nic4]

Thanks for the replies girls..

Im patiently waiting by the phone so i can call my midwife to ask her advice.I've upped my fresh fruit intake by lots and also drinking fresh orange juice by the carton load,and right now nothing is helping.I'll certainly give your tips a try!!!

Meg..you're so right,all through IVF,i made a pact with God,that whatever pregnancy related sickness,illness,yuckiness,that he gave me i'd put up with if i could just have a baby...I shoulda been careful what i wished for!!

Cheers..Nicola..xx

[wendy30]

Hi Nicola

I had this problem as well and it didn't matter what I added to my diet or whatever else I took (fibogel & lactulose) it didn't get any better.

My midwife suggested I switch to Spatone. Its a liquid that you put in your fruit juice, it tastes a wee bit funny but better than the constipation. You take one packet a day to maintain iron levels and can take 2 packets a day during pregnancy to build your levels up. It comes in a pack of 28 and is about £7 from Boots.

Maybe ask your midwife if she thinks that might work for you.

Wendy x

[kholtan]

I am also on iron and a high dosage at that! The only thing that really keeps me from getting constipated is TONS of water!! I normally eat a lot of fruit and vegtables so that probably helps me also but the water makes a huge difference.

Good luck! I know this problem is a bummer but it will soon pass! Literally.

Take care~
Kimberly

[Cla]

Hi!

I had this problem after my son was born. The first tablets prescribed really affected me. I spoke to the health visitor and she told me to go back to the doctor to get the tablets changed. There are more than one brand of iron tablets and some can make you worse than others. Once I switched I still had a problem but it wasn't half as bad as before. Certainly worth asking if there is another brand you can take (my health visitor hinted that the first brand they offer you are the cheap ones!!!).

Hope this helps!

Cla
xx