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Original poster

Is anyone else annoyed with their bowels??

53 replies

Writerwannabe83 · 01/11/2013 20:21

Apologies for any TMI but I know bowel issues are a part of a pregnancy and I need someone to moan to as I'm not sure my husband wants to hear all about it Grin

I'm currently 19 weeks and have so far been lucky I think - had a few days of diarrhoea around weeks 10-11 but otherwise fine. However, over the last 2 weeks my bowels don't seem to know what they are doing!!

I think the constipation has set in...I find myself taking some form of entertainment into the bathroom with me (puzzle books, kindle, iPad) because I don't know how long I'm going to the be in there! I'm still able to go at least once every 1-2 days but for all the effort I'm putting in (and taking into account how much food I'm eating) there isn't much of a result Hmm

It probably doesn't help that I appear to be addicted to full length French baguettes and am eating at least one a day Hmm

Then, the next thing I know I'm having really painful cramps, you know the ones where you have diarrhoea and it is a warning that says, "Get to the toilet now!" It's like going from one extreme to the other.

Can Lactulose be bought over the counter or do you need it on prescription? And for those who braved a visit to the GP, how 'bad' did things get before you went and do they have a set criteria before prescribing lactulose etc??

Apologies if all this is a bit grim but I'm fed up, uncomfortable and need to know that I'm not alone....

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livingzuid · 01/11/2013 20:38

This! I am 9+3 and the last few days it has been as you say. On top of my morning sickness. Nothing digests properly whether I eat healthy food or rich tea biscuits. I have thrown up all my food from this afternoon only to literally just had to rush to the loo.

Why... I read that this is common but it's a bit too much sometimes!

livingzuid · 01/11/2013 20:39

Sorry tmi but I'm desperate!

Nesswalk · 01/11/2013 21:16

I'm 11+4 and been constipated since week 7 or 8. I just phoned GP and she gave a prescription gor lactulose but she knows me really well. Prior to taking lactulose I could go 6 or 7 days without a movement.......very uncomfortable.

MightilyOats · 01/11/2013 21:54

Could be IBS if you're suddenly eating a lot of bread and getting cramps. Might be worth a chat to the doc anyway to see best course of action. Lactalose is very gentle but you don't want to go too far the other way!

PinkParsnips · 01/11/2013 22:04

Oh I hear you op!

I'm 38+5 and suffering TERRIBLY with constipation these last few days, to the point I'm in the toilet for 2 hours at a time in absolute agony with cramps, pressure, shooting pains in my bum etc but its like there's a blockage - sorry total tmi!! -its horrific.

Its ruined my whole day today and I'm at the point where I don't want to eat because the pain after is too bad Sad

I think it will be the doctors for me on Monday if the prune juice, orange juice, apricots and fybogel I've had today doesn't work...

Jolleigh · 01/11/2013 23:03

Bleh. Pregnancy is a pain in the arse for my digestion.

I had about a week of horrendous constipation recently.

And for the last week I've had the epic liqui-shits Sad

SaggyOldClothCatPuss · 02/11/2013 01:04

Lactulose is available over the counter, and the GP told me I can drink the whole bottle if needed, it wont do any harm. Get some down your neck! Grin

emmac3616 · 02/11/2013 09:41

I got a prescription from my GP for lactulose on the proviso that I try prune juice first... I did and I have to say, it's miracle stuff! I have to drink quite a lot of it - ice cold, down in one, to make it bearable (followed by water and OJ to get rid of the tatse!) but it sorts out the problem no worries. Now I just am in the routine of having a glass in the morning and one at night and I very rarely need to drink more. If I do, I just add an extra glass and it works. Disgusting but effective and clearly totally natural.

louloubellamozzarella · 02/11/2013 13:15

Try drinking plenty of water... Warm water is great if you have indigestion pains and for loosening things up Confused

Dried prunes and apricots are good. Also fresh kiwi fruit.

I find lots of bread causes me digestive problems so maybe try and cut down a bit?

Walking and swimming regularly are also essential :) HTH - I've suffered quite a bit from constipation so far but haven't had to take any meds yet, so all of the above can work.

BummyMummy77 · 02/11/2013 13:50

It's SO frustrating! I agree with lots of water, avoid pasta and white bread etc.

I have raging diarrhoea for a couple of days then don't poop for 4!

Original poster
Writerwannabe83 · 02/11/2013 14:23

Sounds like there are lots of us suffering out there - especially you parsnips, it sounds awful Sad

Well, I since 5pm yesterday all I have done is drink fluids and eat ice cream and custard, nothing stodgy in sight! My stomach is feeling much better today and even managed a normal and successful trip to the toilet this morning Grin. I also managed to control myself in ASDA and walk past the French Baguette stand without buying one this morning Smile

OP posts:
Cariad007 · 02/11/2013 15:42

Lactulose is available over the counter (about £6) but if you have a maternity exemption card and a doctor's prescription you can get it for free.

blondebaby111 · 02/11/2013 16:29

Lactolose is great, it's my new best friend. I started suffering really bad around the 20 wk point. It doesn't matter how many veggies I eat sometimes just nothing and it's the worst feeling ever, I now take a spoonful of lactolose every other day and in fine. It's more of a stool softener so it definitely makes things a lot easier xx

bellablot · 02/11/2013 16:36

Yes this is horrific. You need some of those suppositories for when movement does occur, it lubricates the area which helps.

Also, be aware, the only thing worse than constipation.......piles.......brought on by pregnancy and constipation.......eek, you do not want these! Confused

Imnotsurehowtogetthisout · 02/11/2013 21:39

This is the thread that has dragged me out of the lurking cupboard!

I have suffered constipation since about 7 weeks (18 weeks now). Didn't realise at first and ended up in a&e with severe stomach cramps - so embarrassing! Finished a bottle of lactose in 3 days and eventually everything got moving. Now I am paranoid and have lots of fibre (have flax on my cereal) and drink lots of water. I also make sure i take time everyday to sit on the toilet and wait for it to happen. I find I can really quickly get painful trapped wind if just a tiny bit constipated now. So paranoid I'm going to develop piles now.

heidihole · 02/11/2013 21:44

I'm 25 weeks and have had the raging liquid shits for a few weeks now. I'm a bit worried that my IBD (colitis) has come out of remission after 3 years. However I'm a bit more reassured now I read other of you are having trouble.

I'm literally up twice a night with about 3 seconds to spare making it to the loo and then it's like brown water shooting out.

Is anyone else like this in the second trimester? I know it's common in first and third but not heard of it often in second.

heidihole · 02/11/2013 21:44

Should add its not just at night. Also thru the day. I'm getting scared to leave house!

ClearlyMoo · 02/11/2013 21:50

I'm 13 weeks and had to resort to cocktail of prune juice + dates + fybogel for you can guess what! I'm someone who eats a lot of fruit & veg & fibre already so frustrated!! I'm also getting heartburn/ acid reflux so hitting gaviscon and Rennies hard too. Does anyone know if antacids make constipation worse?! Have sore throat too. Before I went to bed tonight I took Fybogel. THEN Gaviscon. THEN honey & glycerin for throat. Surely all this medicine can't be god for me or the baby? I just wanted to sleep tonight (and loop tomorrow!)

womma · 02/11/2013 21:55

Oh, so happy to find this thread, hello fellow sufferers! I'm 18 weeks and my poor old bowels don't know what's going on. For the last two months I've had such awful constipation and bloating (as well as awful morning sickness) and I've been lucky to have a poo once a week...it's making me really miserable.

I also seem to have developed IBS, and mistook the bowel cramps for feeling the baby moving, doh! The cramps are pretty bad, and I've found that peppermint tea and some tablets called Colpermin help. They're available over the counter and contain peppermint oil and are safe for expectant mums. I take a double dose of these, and they ease the symptoms, but haven't sorted them entirely.

And as for the fecking constipation... I'm eating prunes, taking lactulose and still only managing a teeny poo every few days. I'm going to call this baby Lactulose at this rate.

BlackholesAndRevelations · 02/11/2013 22:05

I had horrendous constipation but lactulose worked. It was not dissimilar to pushing out my 10 lb baby (sorry faaar tmi!!) Grin

I hope I don't get it like that again... No amount of hot water (usually works) or fruit or veg or anything helped. Was agonising, could barely walk, couldn't even pee!! So I know how you all feel Sad

Original poster
Writerwannabe83 · 03/11/2013 08:39

It is all just so depressing isn't it! Hmm
I sympathiseheidihole I suffered with diarrhoea like that when I was about 11 weeks but it only lasted for about 3 days. I completely understand your dread of leaving the home! Thankfully I was signed off sick at the time so didn't have to worry about work - I'm a Community Nurse so spend my time either out in my car or visiting families at their home. Can you imagine the embarrassment of always having to ask if I can use their toilet Blush

I have also had those awful stomach pains where I can't work out if it's because I'm constipated or if it's the baby moving or if it's the kind of pain I need to speak to my midwife about. I just hate the uncertainty. The other night I felt so rough with my stomach I couldn't tell if I was going to be sick or whether I needed a poo. It was just so uncomfortable.

What are people's methods of dealing with constipation? Do you wait until you really need to go and then it come naturally so as to avoid straining/risk pupils? Or do you try and make yourself go by force and spend a long time on the toilet doing it??

OP posts:
womma · 03/11/2013 21:20

writer, it's at least a comfort to have some company with this gippy tummy business.

I also have rotten piles as well, so I daren't try to force anything. I just have to wait for 'the urge' and try to go with it. My poor bum has shut up shop, more or less.

Original poster
Writerwannabe83 · 03/11/2013 21:24

What exactly is piles? Do all pregnant women get it?
Is it dangerous? Hmm

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womma · 03/11/2013 21:32

It can happen when you strain too much on the loo, and the blood vessels round your bum become enlarged. It's quite common in pregnancy, and can be really painful. Just another delightful aspect of being up the spout.

Original poster
Writerwannabe83 · 04/11/2013 08:40

Bloody hell, lol - something else to look forward to then HmmSmile

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