Can being constipated inhibit labour?

[Bellyrub1980]

Just that really!

I'm 5 days overdue and for the first time in months I'm now constipated!! I can't help but think it's getting in the way!

I know impending labour tends to bring on a good 'clear out' but would taking some (natural/safe in preg) laxatives and having a poo help to stimulate labour??

[rugbymum143]

19 years ago when I gave birth to my eldest, I had been constipated throughout pregnancy and was taking lactulose regularly to help. I was 10 days late but went in to labour spontaneously. However, the midwife felt, after I'd been in labour for a few hours, that my full bowel was affecting my progress and the movement of my baby down the birth canal so I was given an enema. It wasn't uncomfortable or horrible and my labour only lasted 8 hours in total which is pretty good for a first baby.

[lljkk]

Dunno, but Labour can certainly clear up a constipation problem.

Are you getting out for lots of walks & exercise?

[Bellyrub1980]

lljkk I certainly was!! Infact up until a few days ago I was doing a bit too much exercise and was getting almost constant painful braxton hicks. I mistakenly believed that this was a good thing and would eventually develop into proper labour contractions. But I'm now under strict instructions from the midwife to rest for a few days and stop trying to 'force it' because I'll need those muscles to not be totally fatigued when the real thing happens.

I'm still staying upright though, avoiding reclined positions etc in an effort to allow gravity to do its thing! My bump is a lot less achy/crampy today so I will start introducing some gentle exercise again, but not to the obsessive levels I was before!!

Will get some prune juice in today I think, sort my bowels out!!

[lljkk]

Things about labour can be very dehydrating and bring the problem back in following days, be sure to keep your fluid intake up. I think labour sometimes rearranges one's intestines (TMI),

[Allstoppedup]

As my Username suggests I had some issues with this whilst pregnant!

I stopped taking my Lactulose waiting for the impending 'pre labour clear out' and ended up being induced at +14 whilst still very constipated. I now wish I'd upped my dosage rather than being worried it would be too much, as it was a bit uncomfortable when I first started pushing as I could (WAY TMI!!) feel it there for quite a while, which considering everything else that was going on seems minimal but I did wish I'd been partially cleared out before/could have gone easily during...

It didn't cause any issues as such, just a bit unpleasant really. I'd stick to your lactulose dose or see your Dr about getting some Laxido which really does a good job.