So constipated!

[Nomorepeppapig]

I'm 20 weeks and have been a little constipated for pretty much the whole pregnancy so far but it's got really bad the last few weeks. Iv been eating dried fruit and drinking lots of water and orange juice but nothing is helping. Can anyone recommend anything that might help?

[Twizzletoes]

Eating 2 plums as soon as I get up is the only thing making me go!

[purplemurple1]

Crushed flax seed on my cereal and lots and lots of water worked for me although I did need to use some suppositories to get things moving at first.

[Flixy102]

Not medical at all but I always find a mcdonalds milkshake works for me.

[CrispyFB]

Lactulose will soften things which makes passing them easier. Some people find it makes them uncomfortably gassy though. I find prunes and apples are good but everybody is different.

If you're really backed up, then glycerin suppositories to get you past the worst of it!

[Cariad007]

I second the suppositories! After a certain point you get so backed up that no amount of fibre or Lactulose will help shift things, so you have to attack from the other end! The glycerin will soften it up and make it less painful to go.

[pintofmilk]

Hi there,

I was the same through my whole pregnancy. Went to the Doctors it was soo bad. He gave me 'Fybogel' which are little packets that you add to a glass of water. Depending how bad it is you can have one in the morning and one at night.

I found these were wonderful. Safe to use whilst pregnant and also get them free from doctors.

The work quickly and soften things up.....

[RaRa1988]

Gallons of acidic juice like orange or grapefruit, and chilli added to meals tends to help me.

[Jess03]

You can also take probiotics while pregnant, or live yogurts, they help a bit. I've got a probiotic in my pregnancy vits (new chapter from amazon). Sucks... It doesn't help that I just want to eat protein (beef or eggs pref) and potatoes constantly!

[DomesticGoddess31]

Top tip: Do NOT take max dose of lactulose in one hit. I did the other night and thought I might be in labour the stomach cramps were so bad . It did get me going though....but next time I'd take it in 2 doses over the day and after food!

I generally get by on a bowl of muesli for brekkie every day or a couple of kiwis helps too.

[Iona1651]

Hi. We grow lots of fruit and freeze it. We've recently been having gooseberries, stewed with a very small amount of sugar and have it for breakfast with natural yoghurt - lovely. We've loads of raspberries and strawberries too so been blending some with milk and having our own milkshakes (no added sugar to those). I made a worcesterberry pie and had a small portion with ice cream too. If you don't have access to fruit you can buy tinned gooseberries (not sure if you can get frozen ones). I was eating a kiwi and an orange too but like DomesticGoddess31 I had terrible stomach cramps and definitely wasn't constipated! I've had to not eat as much fruit as I'm the 'other way'.

[ChicaMomma]

Psylium husks before dinner, followed by at least half a litre of water. A glass of prune juice a couple of times a week will also do the trick.

My own failproof formula is a kiwi, all bran and coffee. But will only work if you are sufficiently hydrated- 3 litres of water a day!

[Aoifebelle]

I swear by activia prune youghurts, if particularly bad, go for extra prune on top.

[squizita]

PRUNES and weetabix. And don't shy away from all fats/oils as I find they lubricate ease things through.

[JBrd]

Try linseeds - one tablespoon per day, either with cereal or sprinkled over a salad keeps things going. A lots and lots of water, herbal/fruit tea etc. to keep hydrated.

[maggiemight]

I would use suppositories first (google them) as sometimes if you are constipated everything is in a hard lump and forcing that out gives relief but can encourage piles. So put something up to soften them first and break up with your finger if you have to. Don't be embarrassed just avoid those piles, they are so hard to get rid of once they arrive.

[maggiemight]

Glycerine suppositories can be used in pregnancy.

[everythinghippie29]

Another vote for lactulose but prepare for a gassy evening...

I also ate loads of dried apricots.

I wish I had kept up the lactulose before my induction though...felt like I gave birth twice! (Sorry for TMI!)

[27mummmy2boys]

Drink loads of water straight after you've eaten it can help speed up digestion and stop you getting so constipated. I couldnt leave the house on lactulose but it works wonders.

Also Bran Flakes are good to stop constipation, google it xx

[Nomorepeppapig]

Thanks everyone! Some excellent advice! Fingers crossed something works soon!

[MoominIsWaitingToMeetHerMiniMe]

Can also recommend lactulose. Been in hospital for a number of pg-related issues last week, one of them was severe constipation caused by a bowel condition. Lactulose is the only thing that gets me going.

Not sure if it's because I've been prescribed more than the 'suggested dose' though, but I will warn you - it will come out of you like lava at first

[sonlypuppyfat]

Tinned grapefruit is amazing shifts me every time.

[ClearlyMoo]

PRUNE JUICE! A shot a day keeps the laxatives away.,, but also pretty much all of the above. Especially a fybogel fan.

[theborrower]

Chuckling at the comments about Lactulose - my God, it worked for me but I'm glad I was at home that night. I don't think my husband was though

[everythinghippie29]

theborrower I think my first Lactulose evening was more traumatic for my poor fella than the subsequent birth!!