I can't poo

[abbinobb]

I'm only 5 weeks I think it's the vitamins (iron in them)
Last time this happened I ended up at out of hours go then a and e with more fingers put up my bum than I'd like to repeat and ended up with a fissure so I both can't poo and I'm scared to poo incase I break my bum again.
I've drank lime juice just now in the hope it helps but probably not.
What can I take?
I can't even fart

[Barefootcontessa84]

I had the same issue. I saw my GP who said you can't take senna (in stuff like senekot), but you can take things like movicol or lactulose (both available over the counter). Basically stool softeners. Hope you feel better soon.

[MonkeyPoozzled76]

Prune juice is my friend.

A small glass every night before bed, I'm 8 weeks and been drinking it since about 5. It really does help although it tastes vile and if I miss a glass I know about it the next day.

Good luck....

[FedUpBird]

I feel your pain OP, throughout both of my pregnancies I suffered terribly with constipation, eventually I had to take lactulose every day and also have suppositories when it got really bad. It didn't help that I also had a prolapse from back to front so my poo used to get stuck there so I had to help it out

[livinginabox]

Prunes - a godsend on pregnancy.

[drinkyourmilk]

Lactulose. It's thick sweet and gloopy- but it works. I take 2x teaspoons twice a day as a maintenance dose.

[emsyj]

I suffer with constipation even when not pregnant, so I am very careful with what I eat and make sure I drink plenty of water when pregnant - I still get bunged up though... I am taking Spatone for iron rather than a tablet as it claims not to cause constipation, but I do still get bouts of it. I have had a few doses of lactulose here and there but I do think the Spatone is better for 'congestion' than iron tablets - worth a shot?
I've tried prune juice and couldn't stomach it, but it works a treat if you can get it down.
Also exercise such as swimming is quite good for keeping things 'moving'.
If you have a nutribullet or similar then I do find a large size fresh blast of fruit & veg every day is good for the bowel movement too.

[monniemae]

What pp have said. I also read on mumsnet to take probiotics; I drank some every day and found it helped

[Wooterus]

You poor thing! I am currently 23 weeks and suffered with constipation for the first few weeks...but rest assured it does get better! It may well be the iron in your vitamins, but also progesterone slows down your digestion when you get pregnant, to make sure your body has time to absorb all of the nutrients from your food to help you grow the best possible little human. Which is great in theory, but can lead to you feeling horribly bunged up. It's such a magical time!

As PP have said, prune juice is your friend - keep it in the fridge and it's a bit less vile. You can also have fybogel which you can get from the chemist - it's a high-fibre powder that you mix with water. Get the orange flavour, mix it with a smallish glass of water, stir it THOROUGHLY and drink it straight down while it's still swirling - then chase with half a pint of plain water. In my opinion it's even worse than prune juice, but it does work.

Also exercise if you're feeling up to it will help get things moving, and obviously lots of fruit, veg and fibre in your diet.

Finally, when you are trying to "go", try putting your feet up on a small stool (often a bathroom bin is the ideal height) so you're in more of a squatting position. This helps straighten out your gut and will help things move more smoothly. Also don't push if you can help it (but you probably know this from your previous experience) - I found "J-breathing" helpful, where you take a deep breath in and then breathe out through your nose and visualise the breath going all the way down into your tummy and out of your bum It's a hypnobirthing technique (so may be useful in a few months!) which helps to relax your muscles and keep everything "open".

God I sound like a poo guru. Pregnancy does funny things to you.

Good luck and congratulations on your pregnancy!

[Cakescakescakes]

If hitting the lactulose doesn't help then get a glycerin suppository. Can buy over the counter and totally safe in pregnancy. Will do the trick.

[emsyj]

Oh yes I've Hypnobirthed a few stubborn poos out in my time Wooterus!!!

[Wooterus]

Good to know it's not just me, emsy!

Oh, and one more thing I forgot - drink loads of water. Without it, any added fibre will just add to the bulk in your guts and compound the issue, so keep on glugging!

[Bluecarrot]

I got a large bottle of pear juice in Tesco ( polish? Writing on it) and about half a bottle downed quickly has a laxative effect on me. I try to eat plenty of fruit and veg, drink lots of water and take lactulose but tbh, i need more or end up bleeding etc.

[pleasethankyouthankyouplease]

Lactulose is brilliant. Once " sorted " then I'd second the water and fruit/ veg stuff the others have said . Also pregnancy yoga and exercise and squatting rather than sitting ( not to poo but just as an option to sitting in chair) if you can .
Other thing-I'm not an expert but this helped me- lay on bAck - bring knees towards chest ( keep knees wide so no compression on tunny at all) . Hug knees in but keep them wide so no compression on tummy )

[outputgap]

Pear juice is amazing. Prunes. Any fruit high in sorbitol basically.

[user1467983757]

A bowl of original all bran. You know the stuff that looks like little sticks? It works wonders!

[Frazzled2207]

I took lactulose throughout both pregnancies, quite a lot to begin with then two spoonfuls a day

[Funnyface1]

Movicol, prune juice and regular water throughout the day.

[sonlypuppyfat]

I suffer and I'm not pregnant! I find lactulose gives me gripping bubbly guts , prunes are good but lots of water is the best. I buy frozen berrys and add them to my breakfast that's good too

[abbinobb]

Thanks everyone I'll be getting some lactolose tomorrow do you get it from chemists?
Oh and lime juice was an awful idea, no idea why i did that. technically it solved the problem but a little too much the other way!

[emsyj]

Yes you can get lactulose over the counter at any pharmacy OP. Good luck!!