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Pregnancy

Constipation - OTC remedies I can take?

11 replies

SewSlapdash · 27/04/2016 16:27

Really suffering and feeling so sluggish. Is there anything OTC I can take to help?

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SunnySomer · 27/04/2016 16:28

Syrup of figs and lots of warm water

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AKP79 · 27/04/2016 16:30

I've also been suffering. Had my booking in appointment with the midwife today and she's told me to take Lactulose and to have it morning and evening. Hope that helps.

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Alasalas2 · 27/04/2016 16:32

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SewSlapdash · 27/04/2016 16:39

Thanks. I'm stuck in a gulag at Center Parcs at the moment, which probably isn't helping my diet, but I will try those.

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Varya · 27/04/2016 16:40

I have 3 or 4 prunes in the morning with cereal and this help me.

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northdownmummy · 27/04/2016 16:42

Lactulose and fybogel were my essentials while pregnant. Also lots and lots of water. I was on about 5 litres a day

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cheapredwine · 27/04/2016 18:11

Movicol. It's brilliant stuff IMHO.

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plimsolls · 27/04/2016 19:42

Lactulose softens things rather than moving things along (Movicol, I think, does the reverse).

I was astonished at what a difference even a small amount of fruit (PLUS water. Always have extra water) makes.

Also, this maybe doesn't apply to you but worth saying in case it's helpful for anyone- there were many many times esp in early pregnancy where I thought I must be constipated as I hadn't passed anything with the regularity I had been used to and my digestive system felt "full" (if that makes sense?! I just felt stuffed and sluggish and gross all round).

Straining didn't help and I was getting really anxious about piles etc and also what would happen when I finally passed anything. Anyway, actually, it turned out my system had just slowed right down (preg hormones). When it was time to go, I went fine and passed everything I needed to, as soon as I got the urge. So, it was just a case of getting used to a new rhythm and occasionally putting up with feeling "full". I think I made things more complicated by assuming there was a problem. So anyone worrying about constipation- bear that in mind!

Anyway, good luck!

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cheapredwine · 27/04/2016 19:49

No, Movicol is similar to Lactulose - absorbs water into the poo.

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plimsolls · 27/04/2016 20:18

Ah, sorry. I've only used Lactulose. I made an assumption based on the name having 'mov' in it!