constipation! any tips?

[duckyisback]

Oh my god. I'm so constipated. Am currently 11+1 with dc3.

Have upped my water intake but it hasn't helped. Midwife suggested prune juice but I can't stand it.

Any suggestions on what to try?

[bonnyscott]

Glycerin suppositories! X

[Jenjen85]

Movicol or lactulose from the dr. I had terrible constipation with my first and lactulose helped

[whatevva]

The above, plus daily kiwi fruit to keep things ticking over nicely.

[RothermeresFolly]

I found a several-pronged attack worked best. You need the glycerin suppositories available for when things become too painful to pass. Get a large box of movicol, you don't even need to go to the doc, you can get them from the chemist. They are really good.
Ground up flax seeds, soaked chia seeds and oat bran are all very good added to smoothies or porridge, along with continuing to drink plenty of water.

[Justmuddlingalong]

A couple of cups of coffee. Drink it while it's still hot. Bend your knees up, with your feet on a stool or box or something whilst sitting on the loo.

[duckyisback]

Thanks everyone!

Hope something will work although I'm a bit scared of suppositories

[whatevva]

The suppositories are a larf but they do stop any unnecessary tearing or stretching, which you do not need. You will be fine with them. I had my first one (two actually ) after a prolapse repair and it was not as bad as I thought.

Movicol softens things up and gets things going without the big tummy aches and wind that other things give you and is safe.

Plenty of wholemeal everything, fruit and veg and pulses and porridge and kiwi fruit for breakfast is the way forward. Plenty water.

The coffee, after breakfast, can be useful for creating and 'urge' but this will not happen very well until your stools are softer and your intestine is moving properly.

[Harveyrabbit76]

Hi
I am 25 weeks and have just experienced awful constipation but what I found helped was lactulose, 6 prunes or so a day, drinking loads of water and eating less and more often i.e. giving things a change to move through. Loads of fruit and veg (more than 7 portions). Coffee is also great. I also have to take progesterone suppositories rectally as I have a cervical stitch and I'm sure it creates a massive bung too. Feel for you, bad pain and I always start panicking that I am having contractions when in fact its just trapped wind etc. I literally have no dignity left!!

[areyoutheregoditsmemargaret]

glycerin supps sort you out instantly

[duckyisback]

Can you buy lactulose? Or is it prescription only.

I was prescribed it before when I had ds I had an episiotomy and was too scared to poo incase my insides fall out my bum. Want to avoid ringing GP if I can because I bet they'll think 'it's that poo girl again!'

Have ate loads of fruit today and drank only water. Need to go and look at the pharmacy tomorrow I think as things still aren't moving!

[FanofFlan]

I'm exactly the same it's awful

I went to boots and bought some syrup of figs, just waiting for it to do it's thing...

[whatevva]

You can buy lactulose at the chemist and it is pretty cheap. It does give you galloping wind though. You can also buy movicol otc, but that is not cheap. Suppositories are about a fiver a packet and well worth having some in the cupboard.

[whiteychappers]

Prunes, prunes and more prunes. After a trip to A&E and various doctors appointments, im finding the natural way is working the best. Two or three dried ones a day is enough to keep it at bay. Dried apricots are good too but I find I need more of those.

[whiteychappers]

Ps dried prunes taste nothing like prune juice, taste like big raisins.

[icedcherrytea]

Fibre gel has helped me so much.

[3luckystars]

You are allowed to take fybogel but need to drink about 3litres of water every day. Stewed apples and also pears are brilliant too. Best of luck, hope you feel better soon.

[FeelingSmurfy]

Dark chocolate at bedtime always let's me go in the morning (but no rushing etc) if it's not enough I eat a bit more the next night

Bonus is its yummy and you have a medical excuse to eat chocolate!

[duckyisback]

Ooohh let me know how the syrup thing goes!

I think I'll have to get some prunes tomorrow then, I just guessed they would taste like the prune juice which makes me heave

Chocolate usually does the trick for me when I'm not pregnant but it's not helping at the moment am almost finished with a massive bag of buttons

[whatevva]

Kiwi fruit works better than prunes. Two a day will shift anything.

Be aware that syrup of figs contains senna. That can give you nasty cramps if you are that way inclined.

Movicol is safe and gentle for unblocking, along with the glycerine suppositories from the other end. Then you need to maintain peristalsis through your gut - you do this with diet and fluids (and porridge and kiwi for breakfast will help this with coffee afterwards).

Progesterone in pregnancy slows down the muscles that do this, so you need to compensate for that, so that you do not get stuck in a cycle of being bunged.

[duckyisback]

Thank you everyone for your advice.

The chocolate seemed to have a delayed reaction and I am clear for now!

Will be going shopping first thing in the morning to make sure I don't get like this again!

Never thought I'd be having this discussion with anyone

[FinallyHere]

Mmmmm, dark chocolate (Lindt 75% plus) , each slice stuffed into a prune. Loads and loads as in 2-3lrs a day of water. Bliss.

[Stopyourhavering]

dark chocolate and coffee...also apricots (+they're good for iron too)

[Vampishtortoise]

I didn't believe anyone when they said it but a glass of orange juice every morning worked for me. And on particularly bad days drinking another glass and having some shreddies helped

[WeShouldOpenABar]

Coffee , orange juice, prunes, liquorice but a big fry is enjoyable and always goes straight through me 😂

[monniemae]

I drink yakult daily after reading a recommendation on here for taking probiotics... Also, this is a bit graphic but when I'm actually on the loo I try "dragon's breath" as recommended by our preg yoga instructor, i.e. Breath noisily and low, out of your throat, it helps you go... Is good practice for the birth! Also, coffee and lactulose.