Ask Our Expert - Constipation from Prenatal Vitamins

September 07, 2008

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Specializing in pregnancy and birth.


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Ask Dr. Greenfield Constipation from Prenatal Vitamins

QUESTION


Dear Dr. Greenfield, Is it normal to be constipated while taking prenatal vitamins? — Cant Poop in Ohio

ANSWER	September 28, 2000


Dear Can't Poop, The biggest culprit in the prenatal vitamins is the amount of iron they contain. If you are having a lot of problems with constipation and can't seem to resolve the situation any other way, you can switch to a vitamin that contains less iron, such as a regular adult vitamin. In this instance, be sure that your vitamin contains at least 400 micrograms of folate, since your growing baby needs more than the amount supplied in some regular vitamins. Taking a vitamin with less iron should quickly resolve your constipation problem, but you should be careful to ensure that you get enough iron from other sources in your diet. Be sure to consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions about this issue, and check out our articles on folate supplementation and healthy eating during pregnancy (look in the Pregnancy & Birth section of our website). — by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D.

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