Community› The Bump Message Boards› 2nd Trimester
2nd Trimester
New Discussion

Who's taking iron??

starbound6starbound6
in 2nd Trimester

Hello ladies,

Just wondering when you started taking it?  Any fibre supplements to go with it?

My 12w bloodwork came back with low iron so I am on it now, oh, AND metamucil as per Dr. recommendation.  *JOY*

I guess I just thought it was a bit early to be iron-deficient as most women who need it, seem to start it later in PG.  Also I have a very balanced and healthy diet and haven't had any m/s, so have been eating like normal so far.  So I'm a bit bummed because I thought I was this paragon of health Hmm

TIA for responses :-)

Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
Report Reply to Post

Re: Who's taking iron??

  • kittylovekittylove member
    I started taking mine around 20 weeks but had needed it prior to that. Some how my Dr "forgot" to tell me I was anemic. Anyway I prefer Fiber Choice to other fiber pills. Also see about getting the liquid iron, or the kind for vegetarians, both are less likely to make you constipated.
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • damissusdamissus
    My dr had me start at 20w and said Slow Fe was gentler on the digestion.  I haven't caved into fiber pills just yet...
    Report Reply
  • cprncprn

    I have been taking iron since the day I found out, but I have been off and on iron for years.  I have a history of severe anemia, so I am trying to get ahead of the game.  Most of the over-the-counter iron supplements are horrible on the stomach.  A nice Rx prenatal like Niferex-Forte will be more gentle.  They also make a liquid iron that can be mixed with juices that is much more gentle on stomach. 

     Key to optimize iron absorption:  Avoid anything with calcium within a couple hours of taking the iron supplement.  Anything with Vitamin C helps the absorption out tremendously!!!  Caveat is that many people buy OJ with Calcium these days, so it really hinders the absorption.  Better absorption in the GI tract means less side effects, too. 

    Report Reply
  • KatieRL1979KatieRL1979

    I have been taking it since about week 9 after my initial bloodwork with my OB.  He recommended "Vitron C" (you can get it at CVS) because it is the most effective (in addition to my regular prenatal vitamins).  I haven't had any constipation problems or anything like that, but I do already try to make sure I have enough fiber in my diet to begin with. 

    It made a huge difference for me in the first trimester - I was exhausted and would fall asleep sitting at my desk.  I assumed it was normal to be tired in the first tri - but after my OB called me to tell me I was boarderline anemic and just a day or two of taking the iron supplement I had my energy back and I felt SOOOO much better!

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • copwife08copwife08

    the doc just started me on it Wed.

    Report Reply
  • mesrmesr
    I started taking iron-containing PNVs at 28 weeks after coming back slightly anemic on a CBC.  I wasn't taking PNVs before that point.  So far no constipation -- knock on wood.  I can't swallow the pills, so I crush them up and mix them with applesauce (which is full of Vitamin C).
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"