"However constipated you are, just don't ever strain when you're pregnant. It could send you into labour" Is that really true?

[ConstipatedNamechanging]

A pharmacist (who I went to for advice on laxatives) told me this today.

Is it actually true?

Things like this make me so mad. Pregnant women are being given misinformation from so many 'authoritative' sources. Do you not think that if straining (or raspberry leaf tea, or essential oils, or going running, or having a hot bath, or whatever normal activity/substance you've been told not to partake in/of) really did 'bring on labour' then we wouldn't have the need for abortion clinics?

I agree Molybdenum. And you'd think a pharmacist would know that babies don't come out of their mummies' bottoms FGS.

No of course you can't bring on labour by straining for a poo. Piles yes, but labour is caused by an increase in hormones not pressure in the rectum. Otherwise most women would poo out their babies in the first three months of pregnancy

Got to be tosh, I strained with the best of them, especially as I was high dose iron tablets for most of my pregnancy and so was a bit on the constipated side (sorry if TMI).

Larf @MarniesMummy that's me now, high dose iron tablets

@CBear6 I think it's very enjoyable so you're not alone

I am permanently constipated pregnant and lactulose makes it so much better!

Honestly if straining made you go into labour I would have had it weeks ago or been so bloated I couldnt move