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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

The Constipation Advice Thread!

65 replies

Beccy2011 · 01/05/2011 18:41

Hi everyone,

I hope you find this helpful but, during this pregnancy the constipation has kicked in severely - so for anyone that is starting to suffer too I thought I would create (what I hope is a funny but helpful/useful) constipation advice thread!

(I'm not joking when I say that when it started it felt like I was having to pass a grapefruit every 4-5 days, and after a month it was more like having to pass a watermelon! - and even worse was on more than one occasion it happened on the work loos! So embarrassing when people keep using the cubicle next to yours and you can't go!)

Okay - So we all know of things that help you to avoid getting it again in the future (prunes, fybogel etc.) - but what can you do when you actually need the toilet.... but can't?

Some things that might help:

Try raising your feet up when you are on the toilet (using a box or something similar). Its supposed to straighten your bowel and make it easier to go

Never try to go to the loo when you are short of time - make sure you have at least 20 minutes (sitting there knowing that you needed to leave for work 10 minutes ago & you're still in your PJs doesn't help things to happen!)

Try just sitting and waiting for things to happen - no pushing or straining (you think the pushing/straining is helping, but it can actually make you tighten the muscles in the opening of your bottom as you push, when you need them to relax, and so despite all the effort you can't go)

Try a little bit of Vaseline around the "opening"

Try lifting your bottom a couple of inches off the seat, so youre not actually sitting on it (supposed to work in the same way as the first one).

Hope this helps - feel free to add anything else that helps you or let us know if you are struggling too!

Beccy xxx

OP posts:

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eurochick · 14/05/2011 13:57

I am usually a regular on the conception boards but wandered over here and found this. While reading it, I had a strange desire to jump hubby... Not sure where that came from but I thought you might like to know that you hadn't managed to put me off!

I hope you all manage to work it out soon (sorry for the poor pun!).

Folicacid · 14/05/2011 14:03

hello everyone, I've got my constipation sorted at the moment after trying lots of different things. (see above) What has worked for me is a large glass of pear juice every day (I have it doubled with water as it's a bit thick). I searched high and low for pear juice in supermarkets and eventually found it in...Lidl, 99p a carton.

I also drink a lot of water, and swig lactolose once a day but as this didn't work for me before, I'm swearing by the pear juice as have not been constipated since and I was really suffering. It taste a damn sight better than prune juice which I could only take in shots!

It's really worth a try.

Folicacid · 14/05/2011 14:05

eurochick I hope you're not some fetishist?!

eurochick · 14/05/2011 16:51

Well, I didn't think I was....

wombatinwaiting · 14/05/2011 17:27

By the way, I tried the Kiwi fruit with skin on and nearly gagged. It may work but I'm not prepared to go through that again especially as I really like Kiwis! I seemed to have a bit of success with some pineapple recently.....

wishing you all strain-free and poop-filled weekends !

Fluter · 14/05/2011 19:09

Chicken pathia curry last night. Worked a treat and was worth a little bit of indigestion :o

Otherwise, prunes, prunes, prunes :)

DH eats kiwi with the skin on - just sticks in my throat when I try, but I think the seeds inside help on their own.

MayMom · 15/05/2011 09:23

What a great thread! I have suffered TERRIBLY with this, both after the birth of my DD and also during my second pregnancy (40+1 currently) - I could have done with an epidual for a couple of episodes! It is really reassuring to know you're not the only one to experience this aspect of motherhood. The desperation you feel can certainly lead you to consider ANY action that might relieve the situation.
My saving grace has been a bowl of Weetabix every morning. Simple and effective. Also, to go as soon as you have the urge, putting it off will only ever make it harder (literally!).

DomesticGoddess31 · 15/05/2011 09:38

A bowl of bran flakes for breakfast after downing a glass of prune juice, plenty of fresh fruit and lots of water during the day seems to sort mine out. If i miss out any of those things it seems its back to square one so its a daily struggle (haha!)

Sadly though (because it looks like diesel and tastes almost as bad) I do think its the prune juice thats making the biggest difference. Lactulose didn't didn't seem to do much for me except give me EXTREMELY stinky wind

DomesticGoddess31 · 15/05/2011 09:39

ps I too tried the kiwi with skin on and it is so not worth it IMO.....YUCK!!!

DomesticGoddess31 · 15/05/2011 09:40

oh and I should have said the kiwi trick didn't bluddy work anyway!

Mum2be79 · 16/05/2011 20:21

How far along in pregnancy do you tend to get constipated?

I'm only 6 wks + 3 days and already I'm bloated and having 'issues'. I'm an 'every day'person without fail but not know! I'm pained at work and some people have a really big issue with the staff toilets 9we only have 2 for approximately 60 staff!) and those having a number two that it is making me nervous!

LauraSmurf · 16/05/2011 21:32

Hey mumtobe I had a bit of a 'crisis' at 7 weeks!! So yes that early in my experience. Pharmacist gave me lactose for the immediate crisis which worked. She also advised isagel fiber supplement ( like fibergel or I understand) I take 1/2 a sachets each day and lactalose 2 times a week. It seems to be working!! So far!!!

Original poster

Beccy2011 · 16/05/2011 23:17

Well I went a tiny bit yesterday and that's it...

What I would also add is that, in my experience, if you want to go but can't - sitting and pushing and pushing and pushing never works. You think it is helping at the time - but most of the time nothing happens.

You're better off giving up and trying again after 20 minutes or so.

Beccy xxx

OP posts:

McAli · 15/08/2011 12:30

Oh hello, this is a great post for a bit of an embarrasing condition... no one ever tells you about before you get pregnant! Friend just recommend this article on pregnancy constipation. Constipation in Pregnancy Drinking water did help me, but have to confess I stopped the iron tables every day! Perhaps asking a doctor or a GP for a different kind is a good idea.

MOGMOGMOG85 · 26/05/2020 09:11

I know this thread is like a decade old but thank you so much to the women who made it! I've studied it like the bible and taken all of your advice and I'm hoping I'm on the way to some relief from my situation.

I just wanted to say thanks and also hello to any fellow sufferers out there as this is the pits!

I was a bit constipated throughout the first trimester but nothing serious and then suddenly at 11 weeks my whole digestive system seemed to shut down overnight and I haven't had a proper movement in a week :'( I think I ate something a bit dodgy which triggered it, and my problem is my stools are still really soft not hard and impacted.

Anyway I've taken heart from seeing on here that I'm not alone and tried my best to relax and stay calm, keep moving, drink plenty of fluids, and since reading this eating 2 kiwis with the skins on each morning plus 100g or more of prunes each day and a big glass of pear juice. This is day 2 and I've not had relief yet, but I have had partial relief (you know what I mean) and its given me hope to continue! I've also swapped my cornflakes for this expensive cereal with flaxseed and ancient grains, and am just trying to eat small regular meals of lots of veg but nothing cruciferous (to spare me the gasses!), and a bit of rice. But I think the main thing that has helped me is knowing I'm not alone and keeping the faith alive that this won't last forever and I will come out the other side!

If you are struggling with painful trapped gas one thing I found helped was lying on my back or left hand side with my knees tucked up to my chest (or as far as you can manage I guess depending how far along you are!) also doing a version of downward dog pose but on your knees and elbows, as well as heaps of peppermint tea.

Sending lots of love to any other pregnant ladies struggling hug xx

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