Upset bowels - one of those things or something else *tmi warning*

[Waggamamma]

I'm 32wks and my bowels have been very strange for the last week now. I have no idea if it's a normal pregnancy thing or something to worry about.

I've been going for a poo about 6 times a day, the urge comes quite urgently but then i can only pass a very small amount of very loose poo. It's pretty gross . It's also really uncomfortable feeling when I sit on the loo. Has anyone else experienced this?

On Tuesday night I had really intense pressure in my back and bum I was wondering if it's possible the baby is blocking things up??

Even dp has noticed the amount of loo roll I've been getting through . And I've had bad external piles throughout this pregnancy so these frequent bathroom visits aren't helping at all.

Sounds like constipation with overflow. When you get very constipated and blocked up any thing else you put in your body that is loose will gradually work it's way down past the blockage and appear to be loose stools, it's very often associated with urgency. Are the bits you are managing to pass very watery with perhaps a few hard lumps? If so I'd say that's the cause. Speak to your pharmacist to get something to help you if so. Otherwise, if this doesn't seem to add up it could be something completely different. X

Oh I am glad not to be alone! I was constipated at the start of last week and have had diarrhea ever since (sorry tmi). I went to GP who didn't seem to concerned but wanted a sample. She told me to keep my fluid intake up but that was it. Results next week but her lack of concern after listening to my bowel and feeling my tummy put my mind at rest a bit. However it has left me with the worlds largest hemorrhoid....Sorry no real advice, just wanted you to know that you are not alone. Hope you feel better soon.

It sounds like that might be what it is. Although I haven't really been constipated in this pregnancy. Will I need to see gp or will it pass by itself, managed by diet? My pharmacist has been really reluctant to give anything without a prescription due to being pregnant.

I went to my GP as I just wanted to check it out. She also said no antibiotics or Imodium (obviously) so just to keep hydrated. Perhaps get it checked out just for peace of mind.

You can try managing it by diet - try foods like beans, sweet corn , and prunes or prune juice, lots of water and make sure you're getting some fats too, they really help keep everything flowing! Think anything with olive oil!

If it doesn't improve go see your GP, he can prescribe fibogel or similar which is a gentle laxative safe to use in pregnancy.

Just an update for anyone who might come across this by searching, after a week of drinking lots of water, eating fruit and probiotic drinks it seems to have passed by itself. If it went on any longer I was going to see the doc.

Glad you're feeling better. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy.