Do Prenatal Vitamins Make You Constipated

When Should You Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins How Long Should You Take Them

Doctors, midwives, and other health care professionals recommend that women begin taking prenatal vitamins before they become pregnant. The brain and spinal cord of the embryo begin to develop within 3 to 4 weeks of pregnancy, when you may not even know that you are pregnant. The CDC recommends that all women of childbearing age consume folic acid daily to prevent spina bifida and anencephaly. These serious birth defects affect the babys developing brain and spinal cord. Your doctor or midwife may recommend that you continue to take prenatal vitamins after you have your baby, especially if you are breastfeeding. If you are planning to conceive, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss any pregnancy planning concerns.

Is Constipation During Pregnancy Ever Serious

Usually not, but occasionally constipation during pregnancy can be a symptom of another problem. If you have severe constipation thats accompanied by abdominal pain, alternates with diarrhea, or you pass mucus or blood, call your doctor or midwife immediately.

Also, straining during a bowel movement or passing a hard stool can lead to or worsen hemorrhoids, which are swollen veins in the rectal area. Hemorrhoids can be extremely uncomfortable, though they rarely cause serious problems. In most cases, they go away fairly soon after your baby is born. However, if the pain is severe, or if you have rectal bleeding, call your doctor.

How Are Prenatal Vitamins Different From Traditional Multivitamins

Lots of different prenatal vitamin types are available on the market. While theres not a specific formulation for all prenatal vitamins, youll likely find that prenatal vitamins contain at least these key nutrients:

Calcium. According to the Mayo Clinic, pregnant and adult women need 1,000 milligrams of calcium daily. Prenatal vitamins typically have between 200 and 300 mg of calcium. This contributes to a womans calcium requirements but doesnt account for all of her daily calcium needs. Calcium is important for all women because it keeps their bones strong.

Folic acid. Taking in enough folic acid is linked with reducing neural tube defects like spina bifida. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant women take in 600 micrograms of folic acid every day from all sources. Since it may be difficult to get this much folic acid from foods alone, a supplement is recommended.

Foods that have folic acid include beans, leafy green vegetables, asparagus, and broccoli. Many fortified foods including cereal, bread, and pasta have folate too.

Iron. This mineral is necessary to create new red blood cells in the body. Because a woman increases her blood volume during pregnancy, iron is a must-have. According to the Mayo Clinic, pregnant women need 27 mg of iron a day. This is 8 mg more than women who arent pregnant.

Prenatal vitamins often contain other vitamins and minerals. These could include:

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Can Prenatal Vitamins Cause Constipation In A Breastfed Baby

It is highly unlikely that your prenatal vitamin will cause constipation in an exclusively breastfed baby. It is important to consult your childs pediatrician or speak to your primary care doctor if this is a concern that you have. Regular water intake and solid foods are usually not introduced to babies till they are at least 6 months of age. It is generally considered safe and usually encouraged to continue taking your prenatal vitamin while breastfeeding.

Drink Plenty Of Plain Water

This is probably the easiest and healthiest way of dealing with the problem of constipation. Drinking water helps in diluting the toxins in the system and they become easy to be removed from the body. Increase your water intake and you will see that problems of constipation and many other things get cured completely.

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How Does Vitamin C Help Your Skin

Vitamin C, the skincare super ingredient. When ingested orally it acts as an immune booster and when applied topically it shows its true strengths. Vitamin C skincare serums serve multiple roles surrounding the protection and production of your collagen. It protects and preserves as Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant which reduces oxidation and forms of hyperpigmentation caused by environmental stress on the skin. These environmental stressors come in the form of harsh free radicals caused by air pollutants, sun damage and stress. Vitamin C helps the body shut down these toxic molecules and as a result reduces the aging signs left behind by the accumulated free radicals. Vitamin C does more than combat everyday free radicals, prevent brown spots and reduce inflammation from acne, but it also helps to fade your existing skincare concerns as well. Vitamin C Skincare builds as much as it preserves by enhancing the production of the collagen protein. Collagen is a key component in reducing the signs of aging, acne scars, dull skin and wrinkles. Vitamin C will not only help your skin deal with today and tomorrow, but it will also help clear up its past.

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Best With Methylated Folate: Megafood Baby & Me 2 Prenatal Vitamins

Folate is a key nutrient for women during their reproductive years, but it’s important to get the right form. Many brands use folic acid, the synthetic form of folate, but this form isn’t necessarily the most bioavailable for everyone. For this reason, whether you have the MTHFR mutation or not, it’s important to select a prenatal vitamin with methylated folate.

Megafood’s Baby & Me 2 contains 600 micrograms of L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate or 170 percent of the daily recommended value for pregnant women.

Megafood is one of the most trusted brands in the supplement industry because of its commitment to transparency. Their products are certified glyphosate-, GMO-, soy-, gluten-, and dairy-free and have been tested for over 125 pesticides and herbicides.

When you’re pregnant, your iron needs increase by 50 percent18 milligrams for adult women to 27 milligrams per day for pregnant adult women. The growing baby requires adequate iron to support the healthy growth of cells, tissues, and organs and mom needs extra iron to support the increase in blood volume when pregnant.

The extra red blood cells that are produced carry oxygen to the baby and, without enough iron, mom can develop iron-deficiency anemia which has been associated with increased risk of low-birth-weight infants, premature delivery, and infant mortality.

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Nutrition For Expectant Moms

A healthy diet includes proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and plenty of water. The U.S. government publishes dietary guidelines that can help you determine how many servings of each kind of food to eat every day. Eating a variety of foods in the proportions indicated is a good step toward staying healthy.

Food labels can tell you what kinds of nutrients are in the foods you eat. The letters RDA, which you find on food labeling, stand for recommended daily allowance, or the amount of a nutrient recommended for your daily diet. When youâre pregnant, the RDAs for most nutrients are higher.

Here are some of the most common nutrients you need and the foods that contain them:

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What Should I Know Before Taking A Prenatal Vitamin

Its helpful to find out how supplements interact with one another and other medications you may be taking to get the most beneficial outcome. Some nutrients compete to be absorbed properly to be used for their intended purposes and shouldnt be taken at the same time as other vitamins and/or medications. The medications you take can also impact the effectiveness of supplements such as your prenatal vitamins. To find out more about when you should take certain vitamins and medications, we suggest speaking with your primary care provider or your local pharmacist. Depending on the number and type of vitamins and medications you are taking, spreading your intake throughout the day may be the best idea to have the maximum amount of impact.

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Can Prenatal Vitamins Cause Constipation

While prenatal vitamins do not directly cause constipation, some of their ingredients can contribute to it. Iron and calcium are common ingredients in prenatal vitamins that are known culprits of causing constipation because of how they are absorbed by our bodies. When your body doesnt effectively absorb available nutrients, constipation can be an uncomfortable side effect.

What Remedies Should Not Be Used For Constipation During Pregnancy

Laxative pills are NOT recommended for the treatment of constipation during pregnancy because they might stimulate uterine contractions and cause dehydration. Talk to your doctor about taking an over-the-counter fiber supplement or a laxative or stool softener.

Mineral oils should NOT be used during pregnancy because they reduce nutrient absorption.

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What Are Some Other Side Effects Of This Drug

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Constipation.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Change in color of stool to green.
• Diarrhea.
• Belly pain.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

How Is This Medicine Best Taken

Use Centrum ) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

All products:

• Take with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.

Long-acting products:

• Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.

Liquid:

• Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with Centrum ). If there is none, ask the pharmacist for a device to measure Centrum ).

Chewable tablet:

• Chew well before swallowing.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• If you take Centrum ) on a regular basis, take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

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The Link Between Constipation And Hemorrhoids

On its own, pregnancy increases your risk of swollen veins around your rectum. “But if your stool is uncomfortable to pass and you’re straining to do so, it can make hemorrhoids worse,” says Shari Brasner, M.D., assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in New York City, and author of Advice from a Pregnant Obstetrician “This is serious, because they can be with you for life.” You can prevent pregnancy hemorrhoids by managing constipation, using the tips below.

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If All Else Fails Talk To Your Doctor About Over

Digestive health can be a taboo topic that many people have a hard time talking about with their healthcare provider. But believe you me, your OB-GYN has seen and heard FAR worse! And dont forget that constipation is a very common problem, you wont be the first or last pregnant woman to deal with this. If gradually increasing your fiber, fluid, and exercise isnt helping, make sure to tell your doctor. Depending on your circumstances, he or she may recommend an over-the-counter medication to help keep things moving and make you more comfortable.

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May Cause Digestive Discomfort

The nausea and morning sickness many women experience during pregnancy can sometimes be made worse due to high doses of iron and some B vitamins in certain formulations of prenatal vitamins. Personally, during my pregnancy it took a few tries to find a prenatal that didnt make me throw up as soon as I took it, and it was not because of morning sickness. In addition to nausea, iron can also be constipating. Talk about a double whammy!

For the best rate of success, prenatal vitamins should always be taken with food. You may have to try a few different brands until you find one that works with your body. Some brands spread the vitamins out into two or three pills a day, which may be easier on the stomach. If you are having difficulty with constipation, you may have to look for a vitamin with less iron. If you are looking for a good prenatal vitamin, start by asking your doctor or friends what they would recommend.

What Can I Do About Constipation When I’m Pregnant

You don’t have to resign yourself to nine months of discomfort. There are plenty of tactics to combat colon congestion :

What to Expect selects products based on independent research and suggestions from our community of millions of parents learn more about our review process. We may earn commissions from shopping links.

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Eat More Fiber And Keep It Balanced

25-35 grams of fiber per day is ideal for keeping your digestive system healthy and moving. But beware: if youre dealing with nausea or vomiting, proceed with caution since high-fiber foods could make these worse. Let your stomach be your guide!

Also, make sure to include both soluble* and insoluble fiber in your diet. For example, dont get all 25 grams of fiber from whole wheat cereal alone- youll likely make your constipation worse. Make sure youre getting your fiber from a variety of foods to promote good digestive balance. Here are some ideas:

Soluble fiber

Wheat bran Leafy greensPeasApples

*Note: Insoluble fiber is not broken down by your digestive system , whereas soluble fiber draws water into your intestines which helps keep stool soft.

Prenatal Vitamin Side Effects

Some prenatal vitamins can cause nausea in an already nauseated pregnant woman. If that happens to you, talk to your health care provider. They may be able to prescribe a different kind of prenatal vitamin that you dont have to swallow whole. Options include:

• Chewables
• Liquids

The iron in prenatal vitamins may also make you constipated. If youre constipated it can help to:

• Eat a high-fiber diet
• Exercise if your doctor says its safe for you
• Take a stool softener with your doctors OK

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What Are The Different Types Of Prenatal Vitamins

Prenatal vitamins typically contain folic acid , calcium, iron, iodine, zinc, and vitamins A, E, and C. The ingredients in prenatal vitamins vary depending on the product. Your doctor will recommend the right type of prenatal vitamin or prenatal supplement based on your specific needs.

Prenatal Vitamins: The Building Blocks Of Nutrition

Patients should understand the importance of folic acid, iron, calcium, and omega-3s in pregnancy.

Patients should understand the importance of folic acid, iron, calcium, and omega-3s in pregnancy.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is the best way of getting the vitamins and minerals that your body needs to stay healthy. If you are planning to conceive a child or if you are already pregnant or breast-feeding, you need higher amounts of certain nutrients for both your health and the health of your baby. Prenatal vitamin and mineral supplements will help you get all the nutrients that you need during this important time in your life.

What Are Prenatal Vitamins?

Prenatal vitamins are nutritional supplements. They contain key nutrients that women need when they are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breast-feeding. These include folic acid , calcium, iron, and docasahexenoic acid, or DHA . Prenatal supplements can also include vitamins C, D, E, and other B vitamins, as well as minerals. Prenatal vitamins are an important part of pregnancy nutrition. They should be used together with a healthy, balanced diet. Results from some studies suggest that prenatal vitamins may actually decrease the risk of low birth weight.

When Should I Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins?

How Are Prenatal Vitamins Available?

Make sure that you do not take any other vitamin or mineral supplements while taking prenatal vitamins unless your primary health care provider recommends it.

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