Supplements - too much iron?

[Pandora]

Elevit is known for making people constipated. I was constipated my entire pg with DS. This time I swapped to a different multi and its been fine.
Its not only the amount of iron thats in it, but also the type of iron - different multis have different types of iron that can be more or less easily absorbed.

[~Raven~]

ROFL I have the opposite with Elevit. It keeps me regular but the Blackmores one bunged me up big time and played havoc with my IBS
The black poo I can deal with as long as the pipes work alright

[JellyBean]

Yes- black poos & constipation caused by excess iron.
I take Blackmores Preg & Breastfeeding and have found even that has slowed me down in the bowel department. However, I have found significant relief from taking psyllium husk and linseeds- (I have a muesli every day which contains both).
Remembering to drink a glass of water every hour is also recommended during pregnancy & breastfeeding and will help significantly. If your body doesn't have enough water to carry out its basic operations- it will 'steal' water from your intestines & bowel, leaving your poos hard, dry and difficult to pass! (Sorry if TMI!)
If you are interested in switching over to blackmores and would like to compensate with a great iron supplement that doesn't constipate, try the liquid iron tonic 'Floradix' (the yeast free one) available from health food stores. Just confirm with the staff that it is ok to take during pregnancy! (I'm quite sure it is). Taking a probiotic supplement (ie- Inner Health Plus or the wonderfully amazing 'In-Liven'- again, ask at your health food store) can also provide significant relief. There is an article here on bellybelly about the the miraculous In-Liven - brilliant for IBS too Raven!!
I hope you find some lasting relief soon!!

XX

[Heaven]

Ahh....maybe it's coz I'm on Inliven aswell that the extra iron I'm taking isn't giving me any trouble. Go Inliven!!
Lolly- folic acid is most important in the first trimester so the fact that Blackmores doesn't have as much wouldn't matter too much now.

[bronners]

Lolly - I think the recommended intake of folic acid is 400mcg per day during pregnancy. But there would be certainly no harm in having more, especially in the first trimester.