Constipation from iron in prenatals—how to manage it?
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Expert: Dr. Banafsheh Bayati, MD, OB/GYN, FACOG (Perelel Medical Co-Founder)
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Answer: Choose a chelated form of iron (often gentler on the stomach, e.g., ferrous bisglycinate).
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Pair iron with vitamin C (with food or a vitamin C–rich drink/food) to support absorption.
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Increase fluids + fiber daily (water, fruits/veg, chia/flax, or a fiber supplement if needed).
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Add a stool-softening support if appropriate (many people use magnesium citrate at night—check with your OB/GYN, especially if you have kidney issues or are already taking magnesium).
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Call your OB/GYN if constipation is severe or persistent (e.g., no bowel movement for several days, significant pain, bleeding, or you need a laxative regularly).
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This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and we recommend that you always consult with your healthcare provider. To the extent that this article features the advice of physicians or medical practitioners, the views expressed are the views of the cited expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Perelel.
