Really need some advice on constipation (possibly TMI)

[ontheedgeofwhatever]

I am on iron tablets and lactolose and a fairly high fibre diet (lots of fruit, veg, cereals). All of this was working well until Wednesday when I had my last bowel movement in the morning.

Last night I woke up in agony wanting a poo but I couldn't push anything out because my anal passage was filled solid with stuff that wouldn't move. This morning I went to OOHD who rung the obstetric registrar at the hospital who advised there was nothing they could do for me in case they induced early labour (I'm 34 weeks), that I should double my lactolose dose and eat nothing but fruit, fruit juice and water and come to hospital on Monday if nothings happened where they may decide to admit me for treatment.

Doing as I'm told but feel light headed and sick and the stomach cramps are even worse but nothing is moving. Really really want to avoid hospital admission especially as have dd (6) to look after and DP away for work this week

Today I've had a tin of prunes in juice, a satsuma, an apple, 2 plums, 2glasses orange juice and about 4 pints of water.

I'm crying in pain and don't know what to do :( :(

You poor thing. Try a glass of warm water next. The heat gets you going. Or a cup of tea? Hope you get moving soon.

Prune juice? After taking fibogel for a week with nothing, it was the only thing that worked - can be a bit violent though (or perhaps that's just me).

I used microlax enemas for severe constipation in pregnancy.

I was at a much earlier stage than you though - about 10 weeks I think and mine was caused by dehydration due to hyperemesis.

Relief was almost instant and while not a pleasant experience it certainly got things moving.

You could try contacting NHS direct or someone and asking if they are safe to use at your stage of pregnancy.

My sympathies - I know how you are suffering.

Thank you will try a warm drink next.

Cejoy they refused to let me use microlax - it was suggested by the GP and refused by the obstetric person.

Backinaminute couldn't find cartons of prune juice but the tin of prunes as in juice so hoping it will help.

Thanks for replying so quickly

I know this isn't much use to you now, but once you're well again switch from iron tablets to soluble spatone - I understand this is much less likely to cause constipation.

Have you tried a warm bath?

can you do some gentle squats?
and when you sit on the toilet, blow bubbles. It helps you to relax. If you don't have any of those annoying bubbles that are given in lots of children's party bags, just do the action that you would do if you had a bubble wand in front of you. Im on iron tablets too and sometimes I find like you that 'it's' there, but it just won't come out. I do find the blowing helps. And also doing something inane like solitaire on the iPad held. Not very hygienic I know but when you get to that stage, you don't bloody well care about hygiene do you? I hope you get some comfort soon.

My nan used to put boiling water down the loo for me so the steam goes up your bottom. I've no idea if it works but it's strangely soothing.

Poor thing though hope you get some relief

OK, this is TMI!

I had the very same and had to resort to manual removal. I was desperate and had a glove from a packet of hair dye handy. I managed to hook a finger in and get some out which kind of got things started. It wasn't easy or pretty but it worked for me.

Could you also try a warm bath (followed by a shower) and maybe try and massage some of it out?

Really sorry you are going through this, it is agony.

PTA - was a bit embarrassed to say in op but was doing exactly that at 3am today - all I did was create a space :(

Now drinking mint tea and going to try a bath followed by massage in a bit.

Thank you so much for all the sympathy, it helps that people understand :(

When I was heavily pregnant GP prescribed children's glycerine suppositories for when things got bad. Chemists sell them. Try one of those plus vaseline around anus for lubrication and put your feet up on a small footstool or box whilst on the loo.

Failing that others have suggested on other threads previously trying some manual extraction using vaseline and disposable plastic gloves, although you have to be careful not to cause damage doing that.

Oh and although a bit gross if you are in that much pain and nothing else works try pooing in the bath, only you will know if DP is going away (though he will no doubt see it all when you go into labour).

I find a hot drink and standing for a while/walking helps. Hope it resolves soon, sounds miserable :(

Reflexology worked for me:) I had horrible constipation whilst P, all the way through - I tried everything, all the fruit, hot drinks, water, nothing worked. Went for some reflexology at 34 weeks and later that afternoon, all was VERYwell. God, what a relief! Not had a prob since. I was also worried as had the same prob in my 1st pregnancy and after having my DD, still had probs, which was quite painful 4 days after the birth when I went after having stitches:( This time round, with my 2nd, all was good - although I did kind of clam up whilst being induced, and asked for an enema, which wasn't messy but worked a bloody treat! (and if anyone says they don't do them anymore, they do). Good luck.

Glycerine suppositories are available OTC. Try to hold it in as long as possible for max softening and comfort. xx

Yes to proper prune juice. There's one you get a glass jar type of bottle. I can't remember what its called Sunsweet or something. Have a big glass of that. That should get things moving.

Also yes to spatone. I never have iron tablets anymore after having gone through similar!

poor you.

Pity about the Microlax. It is amazing stuff. I was in a bad way for days before using it.

Some long walks, hoovering, exercise, swinging hips round in circles, long bath....

I sometimes rock back and forth on the toilet, or raise myself up and down...

Drinking lots and lots

Movicol sachets. Available over the counter and on prescription. Follow the instructions for faecal impaction, then once it's worked take 3 a day, tapering off till you are comfortable. Fucking brilliant.

When I've had really bad pain and haven't gone for ages, I found walking in place was really helpful. Even though walking around was hard and painful, it really helped to start things going. If you can put the TV on to help distract you and just gently walk in place, (so you are near a toilet) and then if you feel the urge, sit for a few minutes, if you haven't gone, get off the toilet and try walking again. Hopefully the walking will get things going and sitting on the toilet for a few minutes will send the message to your brain that it's time to go! I hope you feel better soon.

Oh yes, also with eating fruit, don't eat the skin, once you are constipated things high in fibre can actually make it worse. High fibre only works as a prevention technique. Try to avoid prunes/prune juice, until you get things moving again. Try to stick to soft squishy fruits that are high in water. Things like grapes, cooked apples (no skin), bananas, peaches, watermelon, etc.

The only thing that did it for me was pickled onions and pickled gherkins (due date was NYE so heavily pregnant at Christmas). Lots of them. Just be warned that your poo will smell pickled

Oh and I had tried lactulose, fybogel and movicol to no effect...

Sitting on the loo with feet up on a stool or box really can help. You want to get as close as you can to a squatting position. Anatomically, squatting is the best position for easier pooping.

Hope you're a bit more comfortable by now? I have no other ideas to add I'm afraid, but noticed you couldn't find prune juice at the supermarket. I had the same problem when desperately looking for some to give to constipated DS, and in all my local supermarkets it's where the "from concentrate" long-life fruit juice is, which is generally somewhere near the squash. It took some finding!

This is really tmi but works for me after a bit. My friend was told to do this by her midwife and I although I was paranoid it might also bring on early labour it hasn't and has often got things moving. Am on iron tablets too. As per manual extraction confession above..try giving it a gently manual move by using a finger in the fanjo. It often helps dislodge things and get them moving. I've found constipation in pregnancy is actually about it all being rather...er...wide! A little pushing downwards from the vaginal wall has really helped. Like I said, it did worry me it might cause problems, but the few times I've needed to try it it's worked well. And it was a midwife that suggested it.

Sorry for all the tmi and good luck! :)

2 glycerine suppositories.

After you get rid of this one, reduce the high fibre and go with the soft fruit and vegetables.

Too much high fibre when you are pregnant has the same effect on your gut as pouring concrete down your drains.

Can't help in the immediate term but having had horrid constipation throughout my pregnancy so far I've found that lots of fruit and mint tea works well. Dorset Cereals do a High Fibre muesli which is both yummy and extremely effective. Hope you feel better soon; it's miserable I know.