Constipation becoming a feel issue now

[ElBombero]

At 29 weeks I'm feeling just awful, so bunged and blown up. Getting me down. My cycle seems to be that i will have a big bowel movement then feel great, but nothing then for 3-4 days, like I just stop digesting food. Before pregnancy I was regular. I just hate this feeling. On day 3 now, not enjoying one but of food, kinda avoiding it, horrific heartburn and disgusting wind. Someone please help!!

I am really sorry to hear that. Are you trying all the natural remedies? Eating the right things and staying hydrated? I hope you find something that works for you.

Get your gp to prescribe lactulose solution and fybogel- works wonders

Drinking lots. What should I be avoiding food wise? X

Try getting smaller more regular meals in. I found dried apricots helped as did loads of walking.

I've been taking probiotics (capsules) and I think they've really helped (no constipation since I started them ten weeks ago. Still not going as regularly as pre pregnancy but certainly not constipated). They're not cheap though so maybe worth trying other things before - exercise, keeping hydrated, lots of fibre in diet, avoid white bread and sugar.

Syrup of Figs sorted this out for me. Doesn't taste anywhere near as bad as it sounds and feels more natural than Lactulose, etc.

Benefiber is amazing. Taste free soluble fibre (nicer than fybrogel). I buy t by the caseload. Some supermarkets have it or you can buy it online.

As workingtitle said and maybe eating some prunes??? If you don't have diabetes...
If they are dried prunes put 5 in a glass of water over night and eat the prunes and drink the water... You may have to do it few days, until you go to the loo...
After that you lower the number of prunes until the minimum.

Fibre is super important so fresh fruit and veggies and plenty of fluids.

Xx

Poor you. I had this in all three pregnancies and it was miserable.

I made sure I got it sorted before I had DC3 (bitter experience of post partum constipation)
I drank one small glass of prune juice every morning.

Ate all bran for breakfast.
Had 2 probiotic yoghurts a day (I liked the activia creamy ones).
Made sure I drank at least 2 litres of water a day. (In 500ml bottles as I found that easier for some reason)
Cut out white bread, cakes, refined carbs.
I also had some lactulose in the cupboard just in case!
Main thing is to keep hydrated. The more fibre you eat, the more water you need to drink too.

Hope you feel better soon!

I've found that psyllium husks (holland & Barrett) are really helpful - but need to be kept up which is 2 capsules x twice a day minimum

Pomegranate, prune or orange juice daily worked for me (just a couple of glasses of bog standard supermarket stuff). Also plenty of fresh fruit, activia type yoghurts, skin on jacket potatoes, weetabix and the like. If you can avoid too much white bread and processed rubbish then great, but I wouldn't recommend cutting any major food groups out when pregnant.

Thanks so much guys. I'm going to go straight to the supermarket this morning. Plan : 1) glass of prune juice in morning 2) 2 litres throughout day 3) more fruit and veg 4) syrup of figs to get things moving now. I'm gluten free so no refined carbs anyway. X

Just noticed massive typo in title. What a plonker. Was half asleep n desperate when I started this thread last night! X *real

I had the same from about 39 weeks until ds arrived at 41+4. Doctor prescribed fybogel and lactulose and also advised to eat 1/2 apples a day and to drink warm water when eating prunes or dried apricots.
Hope it clears soon OP.

i feel your pain.
im 16 weeks and have had this all the way through.
I know its a cliché but prune juice really does work for me but it is gross and makes me gag.
ten seconds of that is worth it when you get the desired effect though!

Another vote for syrup of figs from here. Hope you feel more comfortable soon

When you sit on the loo, try and raise your feet onto a stool or something like an up turned bin. This apparently sends a signal to your brain that your bowels need to be opened and really helps. I also suggest taking something to distract yourself like a book\magazine this Will help you relax.

Porridge, prunes, stewed apple, cooked carrots, lactulose and lots of water.

I would avoid allbran if I were you. Because your gut slows right down in pregnancy allbran tends to solidify into a blockage.

Lactulose is good because it doesn't cause irritation to the lining of the gut, it just holds in the water making the stool soft and bulky so it moves along a bit more smoothly and is easier to pass. Helps to prevent piles too.

Swimming helps to keep things moving.

I had awful constipation in pregnancy so I sympathise.

Are you taking pregnancy vitamins with iron?

oh i feel your pain! i've suffeed from this, tried everything: fruit, dried frut, gallons of water la la la.

then cracked onw ith fybogel, lactulose.

nothing worked.

then i got onto the probiotic tablets (partly due to horrendous thrush, a treat) and touch wood, all has been much better. deff not back to pre pregnancy motins, but almost always daily. before that i could go 5 days - i have never felt more disgusting or uncomfortable in my life!

i really recommend them - good luck!

I've discovered that putting a spoonful of coconut oil in with my hot chocolate not only tastes like liquid bounty but helps keep me regular! Hope you get it sorted soon OP. It's a horrible feeling!

Latoluse works wonders you can get it for free on prescription it's good for afterwards too if you need stitches winces at memory

Which probiotic tablets are you using! Thanks for all your responses. No iron supplements...

Just chipping in as nobody's mentioned this yet, but in an effort to avoid caffeine I drank a lot of peppermint tea and green tea with lemon, which both kept me nice and regular and tasted much better than prune juice! I also second gentle exercise, I know it's probably the last thing you feel like doing but will help.

I stopped taking my iron tablets for a few weeks which the midwife said was fine to do after 12 weeks. Has really helped. I was having vaginal bleeding after straining with bowel movements so had to do something! Tried all the above which helps and also lots of walking. Hope you feel better...