Conference moira::parenting_v3

    Well, there are Drs who believe all pregnant women should be
    mega-dosed with vitamins, there are others who believe that if
    you are getting a good balanced diet, then vitamins aren't really
    necessary becaue you could be overdosing the fetus on vitamins and
    minerals, and then there are some who sit in the middle.
    
    This sounds like something to disccuss with your Dr or pharmacist,
    but since vitamins are an otc thing and you have the option of
    not taking them, if it were me and there were no other reasons
    that you must take the vitamins ... I'd stop for a few days and
    then resume after things get back to normal, but take them say
    every other day until my system got used to them, then start a
    daily routine, or carry on with an everyother day.  I'd also look
    into a vitamin with a different iron formulation, or separate
    multi-vitamins and iron, so you can better control the intake with
    what suits your system,
    
    NOTE though that you should discuss this with a medical professional
    and not rely on our advice.  We can only suggest what we might do
    in the circumstances.
    
    By the way, there really is no need for embarrassment ... it happens
    to nearly everybody now and then, including us men!!! :-)
    
    Stuart

    At a nutrition session that I attended early in my pregnancy, the group
    shared some information on vitamins.  We learned that different Doctors
    in the same clinic prescribed very different levels of iron in the
    pre-natal vitamins for their patients.  I don't remember the specifics,
    but my was about 50mg while another's was 150mg or higher.
    
    Also, later in the pregnancy my Doctor increased my vitamins and
    recommended that I take Ferro-Sulfate (not sure of the name or spelling
    after so much time)  It had something to compensate for the increased
    amount of iron.  All I know is that is helped me - I had no side
    effects such as you are having.
    
    So I would suggest you discuss it with your Doctor.  As another noter
    said, vitamins are optional, and you do have choices.
    
    Good luck!
    Mary 
                                   

I also was constipated after Markus because I was reluctant to go due to
hemorrhoids then again after I had the hemorrhoids operated.  I also overreact
to laxatives which cause me VERY painful cramping and, in any case, I was
reluctant to take anything when I was pregnant.  I tried the prunes mentioned
in another note to no avail.  Finally, my gynecologist prescribed a very
weak natural laxative for me which did the trick.  It is called Ajiolax Mite
(or maybe Agiolax Mite, can't remember).  It exists also in a stronger form
which is just Aj(g)iolax.

I don't know if this is available in the U.S. or not.  It replaces missing
natural bacteria which help to break down the food and keep the stool soft.
It sometimes took two or three days to work but without cramps and without
causing me to go too much in the other direction which laxatives cause for me.

The other thing to do is to avoid foods which cause constipation.  Eat rice
instead of potatoes, don't eat any cheese (bad for you when you're pregnant 
anyway due to the salt content, I adore cheese :-).  Eat lots of these things 
with good bacteria in them like yogurt.  Fibers and fruits are also good.  And
drink tons of liquids, especially water.

The other advice I had after the operation is not to try and force it.  This
may sound silly and indelicate but, do not become comfortable on the toilette
(i.e., no reading material, etc,.)  If you can't go, forget it, get up move 
around, go for a walk.  NEVER push.  This will eventually cause hemorrhoids.
And resort to laxatives only when all else fails.  It is very easy to become 
dependent on them.

I hope this helps.  I know from experience, this is no fun.

Cheryl

    
    I had the same problem when I first started taking my prenatal vitamins
    while pregnant with Michael, and my doctor told me I could take
    Metimucil type stuff, or Fiber Con (which is pill form and tastes
    better than that other junk!).  Seemed to work for me.
    
    My hubby and I still joke about this topic occassionally, because when
    it happened to me, I didn't knnow what was wrong at first. I had never
    been constipated in my life , and just thought I was having cramping
    and pain for no reason. 
    
    Good luck...it should get better throughout the pregnancy.
    
    Chris
    

    Ask your doctor - a stool softener might help, given that you are
    eating all the fiber, water etc.
    
    best of luck,
    

    Talk to your doctor and see about a different kind of vitamin. 
    Some formulations of prenatal iron include a stool softener to
    help prevent this kind of problem. 
    
    --bonnie

    METAMUCIL FIBER WAFERS ARE GREAT.  AND ACTUALLY TASTE PRETTY GOOD
    (CINNAMON SPICE AND AN APPLE FLAVOR).  OF COURSE YOU NEED TO CHECK WITH
    YOUR O.B. FIRST.

    It may be as simple as just changing the *brand* of vitamin.  I had
    "that" trouble, as well as added nausea from at least two brands.  My
    OB finally gave me a brand, but I can't remember which one, they were a
    light blue coating, and the pill itself had a mild vanilla like flavor. 
    I had no problems with these ever.
    
    How about increasing your juice intake, apple juice as a first choice,
    cran-apple or just cranberry as a second choice at least for the time
    being.
    
    Lyn

    I have always had problems with constipation even when not pregnant.
    Now with my second pregnancy I have been asked to take iron pills
    everyday. I told my OB about my constipation problem and she prescribed
    an iron supplement with stool softener - called Ferro-Sequels. You do
    not need a prescription for this. I have had no problems "processing"
    since I have started taking these. I am more regular than I normally am
    - of course drinking a lot of fluids does help too.
    
    So, check with your OB about Ferro-Sequel if you are not already taking
    these.
    
    Shaila

    Shaila:
    
    Do you take any additional vitamins other than Ferro-Sequel?  This
    suggestion has come up three times to me now, and it looks like the one
    that helps people the best.  Can this be gotten at most pharmacies?
    
    THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR HELP!  
    
    While waiting for all of your replies, I took myself off of the
    vitamins for a couple of days, and we are now doing better!  WHEW! 
    Thank you all for your caring responses
    
    Jolene
    (Due on September 1, 1991! - Second one!)

    re. -1 
    
    I am also taking prenatal vitamins in addition to the iron supplement.
    I get the Ferro-Sequel at the local CVS.
    
    Shaila

    Shaila:
    
    You are taking prenatal vitamins PLUS ferro-Sequel?!?!  What prenatal
    vitamin are you taking?  I am having problems taking the prenatal alone
    due to the high iron content! 
    
    Jolene

    
    I had a similar problem. Those multivitamins with iron not only made
    me constipated but also sick to my stomach. My doctor suggested over
    the counter vitamins, (the only kind that did not make me ill was
    centrum) and another form of iron called Slow Fe, which is just a time
    release iron pill. It did the trick, though I must admit I was not very
    good about remembering to take all those pills everyday, but for the
    most part I did.
    
    good luck.../Karin
    
    PS Slow Fe is available over the counter.
    
    

    Ferro-Sequel!  That's the name I couldn't remember.
    
    --bonnie

    Boy does this topic hit home for me.  I've always had this problem, and
    all I could think of was.....what's gonna happen to me when I get
    pregnant.  Well...let me tell you....it was horrible.  I think I called
    my doctor every 2 weeks complaining that I hadn't been able to pass and
    the cramps were unbearable.  Well she suggested first using stool
    softener which I took 2 a day....no help.....then she suggested taking
    metamucil....no luck.....when I was around 5 to 6 months along she
    suggested I take some mineral oil....helped a little....then I was
    using enimas(sp?) those helped. I think I may have even taken a mild
    laxative (can't remember)
    
    It was horrible.  I think I looked bigger than I should because of
    this.
    
    Now 7 months later, I don't have the problem anymore.  I think
    pregnancy may have actually  helped.
    
    Hang in there!!
    Donna

    re .12
    Jolene:
    
    I take the Natalins Rx (I assume they are the standard ones - not
    certain).
    
    Shaila

    Different irons can be helful; I did not go to prenatals as my regular 
    vitamens are stronger, and my system is very hapy with them.  So, I take
    Nature Food Center Multiple, S type in the morning, and (oh gosh, total
    brain drain.  Can't remember the name...control C doesn't let me out. 
    I will add to this tomorrow).
    
    The iron does have a variety of B vitamens and some C in it for aid in
    adsorbsion.  We did have to add Folic Acid, which I get in a single
    vitamen tablet from a local health food store.
    
    The iron is taken at night.  I did have problems with constipation
    until I split them up (at the recommendation of my midwives).
    
    STUARTINIC!  The brain returns!  It is a good iron tablet, over the
    counter, but I do have to ask the pharmacist for it.
    
    Adrienne
    
    A mother's mind is a terrible thing to waste, and I'm not wasting it on
    any details...   *;-)
    

    
    
    As soon as it was confirmed I was pregnant MTHP put me on pre-natal
    vitamins (huge blue pills).  The vitamins had a lot of iron in them
    (sometimes I tend to be a little on the anemic side).  What was
    weird with me was instead of being constipated, the pills went through
    me like a bullet.  I read that pre-natal vitamins make you constipated
    so I couldn't believe that it was acting the opposite for me.  I went
    to the dtr's and she said that there is a very small percentage of
    women who's body acts the opposite with the pre-natal vitamins.  I
    stopped taking them and as soon as I did I was fine.  I will be
    starting my 9 month this Sunday and I haven't taken any vitamins at
    all since I was 1 month along.  They checked my blood and said that
    I was normal but to keep eating those veggies, which I have been.
    Fortunately for me I LOVE vegetables and can't get enough of them.
    
    Now if I could only get 1 good nite's sleep! sigh..
    
    -Chris

    You can forget that 1 good night of sleep for the next 18+ years!!
    
    Trudy _who_only_has_two_more_years_to_go_for_the_last_to_leave_the_nest