Constipation in hospital at the very end of pregnancy- help!

[KikiShack]

Hi, I'm going a bit mad and looking for help and advice please.
I'm currently in hospital betting induced - it's going slowly unfortunately, I'm due my second pessary in a couple of hours when it will have been 24 hours since my first one didn't work.
Partly because of hospital food, and partly because my whole tum/bum/vj area is tender and confused, but I feel physically unable to do a poo and now I think I'm a bit blocked up!

I just don't feel able to do any kind of pushing at all, and even sitting on the loo for a wee is really uncomfortable, so I can't just go on with a book and lots of patience.

Can anyone suggest a way of gently getting things moving? I've asked the midwives if I can have a laxative but they're so busy with bigger problems that I'm not being prioritised. Would abath help? A massage? A finger probe?! I'm getting ddesperate!! My poor dp is at risk of being asked to do something unsavory, and you ladies are my last hour before we go there...

If I were you, I would try a bath and just try to relax!! And I would keep on asking the MWs for something to help you along. Yes there may be others that are a higher priority but they still need to look after you!!

Good luck!!

Can your DP go and get you some high fibre foods? plums, bran, prunes etc?

I'm sure the midwives can prescribe you lactulose, it's the only thing they're allowed to give without consent from the doctor (I think! The midwife mentioned something like this to me last time).

You're just as important as the other women there so keep asking. Constipation after birth is best avoided so do something about it now.

Thanks for the reply, though I've just tried a bath and unfortunately it didn't work. I'm waiting for the doctors to come round now so fingers crossed!

I just don't feel comfortable eating any more until I've had a chance to make some space...

Any other ideas very welcome.

The best is prunes in warm water for a short while, then drink the water. Works quicker than eating prunes. Also grated tomato. But both might be difficult to achieve in hospital. Have you asked the nurse/midwife? There might be something they can give you

How many days has it been since your last bowel movement Kiki? Maybe your body isn't ready to expel anything? It just might be labour coming along, it does feel like pressure in the bum.

Pears are really good for constipation too. They "pool together" all the bits in the stomach and help expel it easily. My midwife told me that in hospital when I had DS almost 2 years ago.

If you haven't gone yet, consider asking for a glycerine suppository or something similar. Lactulose is good but it can take a couple of days to work. Once you start contracting though you might find your bowels start working too!

Thanks for all the replies, sorry for being slow at getting back to you.
I went at ~5am yesterday, so now have 2 days worth of food in my poor squashed stomach! The mw after 3 prods finally gave me some lactulose, so I'm not holding out much hope of that working (had it around midday and no action yet).
I think the problem is because of pain in the area I have no muscles to push, and its really uncomfortable to sit on the loo for any length of time. However I'll be in labour soon as I'm just waiting for a bed to come free then they'll move me and break my waters, so I guess things will move soon, probably all over the place during labour! I'd rather avoid this but if it's the hand fate has dealt me...
DP is ready and waiting and had been instructed not to laugh too much. Whit is it with men?!

Your body naturally clears itself out with the onset of labour, I had to run to the loo between contractions, which wasn't pleasant!

What I would say as someone who suffered with severe constipation in pregnancy is get mobile if you can. Hard now you're in hospital but just walk I pang down the wards. A bit of exercise, figs and prune juice (yuck) worked wonders for me!

Best of luck with your labour x

Morning Op,

How are you doing today?

Oh that's good you got the lactulose. Hope it all came out before labour started! Hopefully you're having newborn snuggles right now!

Bran flakes always worked for me but your LO may be squashing your insides so you won't be able to poop yet I'd hand fire if I were you nature will always take the course it wants x

A mug of warm-to-hot water or two plus a walk does the trick for me. Can you do some yoga stretches? Something like the cat will stretch out your digestive area! Also, kiwi fruit are meant to be excellent for relieving constipation if you can get DP to bring you a few :)