September 2019 #11

[Stroan]

We're really racking up the threads!

Has anyone else experienced constipation? I haven’t gone to the loo for a couple of days. Sorry if it’s TMI

@boodles101 that sounds like a good plan to treat yourself whilst you have the time! I plan on doing the same in a few weeks 😊

Ugh- I had it so badly last pregnancy. One fibre gel a day (you can buy in boots) sorted me out.

@IAintWroteNoPoetry no I’m actually the opposite bowel wise at the moment but I think it’s pretty common in 3rd trimester. Are you drinking plenty of water?

Drinking loads of water, just can’t seem to go. I’ll give that fibre gel a go and see how that works

I used to eat 3-4 prunes (tinned) plus some of the juice from the can when I had drug related constipation and found it worked much better than anything like Lactulose etc

Hello everyone not posted in a while but have been reading along.

I've been having multiple growth scans due to baby's small size and they've today given me steroids and looking to deliver next week. I'll be 34 weeks, swinging between terrified and excited. Baby is growing but cord is now showing high resistance so it looks like he will be better out than in. So I'm having an August baby by the looks of it!

@easterbuns1 I'm sure your friend would understand but talk to is if you like. If it helps, I didn't talk about the worst of my thoughts and feelings to anyone as I felt I HAD to be happy and grateful for being pregnant and that no-one would understand. I hope your next midwife or consultant appointment is a little more useful.

DH is good, but I think I really scared him in the last few weeks. Poor guy is doing everything and then I have a breakdown that he has to fix as well.

@IAintWroteNoPoetry I'm ok now but daily lactulose is my usual trick. Although if I think there might be a blockage I get a bit too scared and have to use a glycerine suppository. I don't think they are actively encouraged in pregnancy, but I've been desperate!

@showerthehorse join our mid-August babies crew. Hope you are feeling okay about it? Do you have a plan for delivery?

Few more bits in the hospital bags. Getting there slowly. 36 weeks tomorrow!

Toilet wise i have been more regular than when not pregnant which surprised me as am on 600 iron a day! But each dose being washed down with fresh orange which i guess is helping!

I was going to ask about ways of making the first pop post birth easier 😂 looks like it's kind of being discussed! I had a c section last time but I still remember the first pop being painful, probably from all the drugs.

I've got apricots which I'll start a few days before my (hopefully) planned c section. And water! I don't remember drinking after I had Dd for ages. No wonder my milk never came in is it!

But is lactulose best or can someone recommend something else?

Why has poo autocorrected to pop!!! 💩

I’ve heard senekot (don’t know if I’ve spelt it right) are quite good. @Florencenotflo

We have a 3D scan tomorrow and we’re debating whether to find out the sex.

@IAintWroteNoPoetry Senokot not recommended in pregnancy as it is absorbed by the gut and can be passed to baby, they recommend lactulose though instead.
A GP can prescribe it if nothing else works though.

Good job you told me that @Megan2018 a friend recommended me it the other day, I would’ve gone out and bought it

@IAintWroteNoPoetry I use it when not pregnant and it is good, but it does say on the packet not suitable in pregnancy/breastfeeding. Safest thing is look up anything medicinal on the NHS website before buying.

florencenotflo I was given lactulose after having DS by forceps, it had quite a big effect on me and I literally couldn't stop going! As soon as I ate food it went straight through me! And that was like half a tea spoon! But obviously it can affect people in different ways and I'd probably still rather that than be constipated and sore!!

Oooo how exciting nopoetry hope you get some lovely pictures.

I must say I can’t remember the first 💩 post labour being a bad or painful one - even after forceps and an episiotomy. I think I was just so sensitive down there anyway that it didn’t make much difference! I do remember being concerned about wiping though and being paranoid about stitches getting infected. Oh the glamour. Lots of people also recommend taking a bottle of warm water to the loo to pour over your bits while having first wee in case it’s sore - I had a catheter for about 36 hours after labour though so maybe that’s why the first one didn’t sting.

I bought some fanny instant cool pads and a bottle of “spritz for bits” for this labour. Every little helps!

@BridgetJonesDaiquiri snap on the pads and spritz!

I’ve bought this on recommendation from the person in my nct that went first (and had stitches)!

I just had lactulose after birth and the first poo was fine. The thought was much worse. I've got a giant bottle of the stuff in my hospital bag!

Can also recommend witch hazel and arnica gel on maternity pads afterwards. Lovely and soothing.

I remember being terrified about the first poo post episiotomy and forceps but it was absolutely fine! I'm going to be glugging the lactulose though just in case.

I sprayed a heap of maternity pads with witch hazel, aloe Vera, lavender essential oils and arnica gel and then individually wrapped in foil and popped into the freezer. Not only was it very soothing and cooling but also helped bring out the bruising and take down the swelling. I highly recommend and if I was having a vagina birth this time would have been stock piling the freezer!

@ShowerTheHorse how are you feeling? What do they estimate the weight at now? My baby is being evicted a week tomorrow - I'm feeling quite terrified!

To be fair the worst thing I found post-partum (and no one told me this beforehand!!) was the flatulence. I know now it’s all down to pelvic floor etc, but geez I was not expecting to be farting uncontrollably (weeing maybe). Lasted a couple of weeks and I found it so embarrassing. I could be in the minority though!

Anyone else fucking roasting all the time

Yes decaf. All day and all night, when others are putting jumpers on.

@ivegotthedecaf I’m running hotter than usual but not too bad. Worse at night.