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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Constipated!!

19 replies

BethAndHerBrood · 17/02/2006 18:46

I am 20 weeks pg, and have been in hospital for most of this week on nil by mouth. This has caused me to become horrendously constipated. I've been to the docs, given fybogel to take twice a day, but i need something a bit more "immediate" iykwim!
TMI alert - the problem is "it's" there, but it's too hard to get out. I tried to go this afternoon, and all i can say is bring on childbirth!! The pain was incredible, and it made my piles bleed!!

Does anyone have any foolproof home remedies that are safe for me to try?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

munz · 17/02/2006 18:48

I find eating raw onion works for me

but also brown bread and bran flakes (althou that can take a while)

Aero · 17/02/2006 18:50

Drink hot water - as hot as you can bear and drink loads as much as it takes to shift things. Take a cup to the loo with you. Sounds odd, but worked for me.

Aero · 17/02/2006 18:51

You may be able to try lactulose as well, though not sure if it can be taken in pregnancy. You have my sympathy.

HappyMumof2 · 17/02/2006 18:52

Message withdrawn

kreamkrackers · 17/02/2006 19:03

lactulose is safe in pregnancy, i asked the doctor about it when she gave me cocodamol as she said it might make me constipated. my dd has it and hers is banana flavoured (although she doesn't taste it as it's put through her peg).

eat lots of fruits and vegetables. banana's are bad though they make it worse. prune juice is really good. try getting all wholegrain things in, such as rice, pastas, cereals. also drink as much water as you can, fibre needs water to work with.

Original poster

BethAndHerBrood · 17/02/2006 19:12

Thanks for the quick replies!!

I shall put the kettle on and have an endless amount of hot water to drink, and go out tomorrow and buy some lactulose. Tried to buy some today but the card machine wasn't working in the chemist!

Next step - dynamite!!

OP posts:

kreamkrackers · 17/02/2006 19:25

have you got any liquorice in? if you eat enough of that it's meant to help get things moving.

Original poster

BethAndHerBrood · 17/02/2006 19:28

No, no liquorice, hate the stuff!! But would eat it if i had some!!
Just sitting down (carefully) with a lovely cup of hot water!!

OP posts:

Aero · 17/02/2006 19:48

You will probably need to drink more than one cup beth, and every time you want a drink, boil up that kettle and fingers crosed things will 'soften up' down there and move on before too long.

munz · 17/02/2006 19:50

apparently dried apricots as well work - not that i've tried those. (least that's what my M/W said) or was it dates as well? either way she recons u only need about 4 of them or u'll go the other way.

gingernut · 17/02/2006 20:00

Agree lactulose is what you need (you can buy it in any chemist). Otherwise, you might want to try some lubrication to help pass the hard stuff (KY jelly or liquid would work). Or one of those glycerin suppositories if you really can't get it going (I don't know if they are suitable in pg, you'd have to check with the pharmacist).

Original poster

BethAndHerBrood · 17/02/2006 20:04

I asked at the chemist about suppositories and they said i would have to see the doc. will try the lubrication as well.
On my second cup of water! Fingers crossed!

OP posts:

rummum · 17/02/2006 20:42

I second the glycerin suppositories... this will work within 15 minutes.... I can't find anywhere where it says 'not for pregnant women'...
the lactulose will take a couple of days to work...

Original poster

BethAndHerBrood · 17/02/2006 21:06

I thought that the suppositories would be okay, that's why i trailed all the way out to get them, but you don't argue with the pharmacist, do you. That's what i need though, action within 15 minutes!! Heaven!! I shall try a different chemist tomorrow, would i be able too buy them off the shelf in asda?

BTW, on my 4th cup of water!!

OP posts:

kreamkrackers · 17/02/2006 21:10

i think it'd have to be from a pharmacist. dd also has these and they can take up to an hour to work but when they do we know about it! be prepared for it to come out like water and very very smelly! she also gets very bad wind when we give her one of these.

Aero · 17/02/2006 21:23

Poor you beth. It will work - eventually and I would go with the lactulose too when you get some. I know how frustrating and painful it is though. Leave it a while before trying the dynamite though.

kreamkrackers · 18/02/2006 08:42

oh i forgot, another thing that helps my dd is a bath usually straight after her bath she has a pooh (she has occassionally done it in the bath!).

Original poster

BethAndHerBrood · 18/02/2006 12:01

Well, i went out first thing this morning and bought suppositories and lactulose. Did the "business" when we got home and sat waiting.Needed to go after about 1/2 an hour, but it was so damn painful i was crying! So i went in the bath, and did it in there! My God - an elephant would have been proud of it!! No wonder i couldn't get it out!!

So, thanks for all the advice, much appreciated, needless to say, i feel loads better now!!

I LOVE MUMSNET!!!!!!

OP posts:

taramac · 18/02/2006 12:50

I always find linseeds work for me - take 3 teaspoons of seeds and wash them down with loads of water or fruit juice - think you can take more if you need to and I do this every day - is working for me at the moment.

Can get them in Holland and Barrett or healthfood shops - dont know @ supermarkets.

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