Really embarrassed to be asking this, I swear I'm not the poo troll!

[SoEmbarrassingIveNameChanged]

I have name changed because I really don't want this to be linked to my normal name!

Basically, I'm really constipated, I've read its a common pregnancy symptom so does anyone have any immediate relief ideas?

I'm getting to be in so much pain, I don't know what to do, we are supposed to be having a lovely christmas shopping and decorating day tomorrow, and I don't want this to ruin it!

I know about water/fibre/exercise etc but what can I do to sort it now?! I'm so sorry for asking this

Counter-pressure on the perineum may be helpful but it may not work if the lump is too big. An enema would break the poo down so that you can pass it.

Otherwise, if you decide to try a manual evacuation then BE CAREFUL. Use LOTS of lube and sweep your gloved finger in a circular motion around the poo gently a couple of times. That may be enough. If not you'll need to get your finger 'behind' bits of the poo and scoop it out until you have removed enough that you should be able to 'go' normally. I know that it's disgusting but try being thankful that 1. You're not a nurse so don't have to manually extract someone else's poo for them and 2. You are young and able enough to not need a nurse to do it for you.

And think of the service that you are giving to all the pregnant women who find this thread in the future

Oh and do you have a walk- in centre nearby with an understanding nurse rather than your grumpy GP?

Oh I really do feel so sorry for you as I remember this so well...

I was actively excited for the pre birth diarrhoea I was promised...I even stopped my strict regimine of laxitive lest I turn into a sprinkler during labour...suffice to say it never arrived and at at two weeks overdue I delivered one actual baby and a poo the SIZE of another baby. My poor midwife.

NoRoomForALittleOne I have the highest level of respect for nurses! I couldn't do their job, can't even do it myself! Manual extraction to that extent will be the last thing on my list, I'm hoping the doctor will have a load of ideas before it comes to that.

I can't drive and the walk in centre is a drive away, plus I would have to take 2 year old DS with me.

AllStoppedUp oh I would have died
Stupidly that was one of my biggest fears about labour! don't judge me, I was only 19 & had never even farted in front of DP before!

Can't believe I'm being this pathetic about a poo when I've delivered a 9lb baby before, but this bloody hurts!

Have you tried sitting on the toilet and putting your thumb into your vsgina and pushing down on the back wall? Sort of stroke your thumb down it with a little pressure. You should be able to feel the masses waiting to come out and give it a push in the right direction. I have a prolapse and it's the only thing that works when I need to go.

Look, in the nicest possible way, it's time to put your big girl hat on. At this point, the doctor cannot give you anything to take orally that will get through to the blockage at the bottom. She will only be able to remove it manually or via an enema. That sounds like a fairly mortifying prospect to me. Surely it's better to do it yourself, in the privacy of your own home, knowing that you never have to tell anyone, ever? Just sit on the loo, lube your finger, put it up there, and hook it out. More have done it than will ever admit it.

Having an enema isn't that bad. I had my 4 children in the Dark Ages when an enema was routine upon starting labour. Don't be embarrassed - the medical staff have seen worse.

I've been there, OP. It's awful. Try not to give in to the panic. Put a load of lube in and around, then push down firmly on your perineum with your hand while your body does the work to get the poo out. It will sting, probably, but can that be worse than the chronic pain you're already in?

Ha, glad I brought a touch of cheer to proceedings!

Seriously though do try the perineum thing if you haven't already - and yes, lube.

If it makes you feel any better, I ended up doing a mixture of perineum thing with a touch of the manual evac in a sainsbury's toilet, after my ever practical bloody mother, upon being told of the predicament, brightly said 'right, we're going for a big long walk and I'm buying you a punnet of grapes to eat along the way'. We did, she did, and it worked, but oh my god it was grim.

On the other hand - when it does come out, it's AMAZING.

I have no lube, DP will have to buy some on his way home (he wouldn't buy it yesterday because he had DS with him)

I'm seriously fed up, this is just another thing on the rest of the pile of shit that is going on in my life lately. Gahh. I just want this fucking poo out! Its now making me angry and stressed.

Will have to try the perineum thing and shoving a finger up there when DP gets home with gloves and lube and can be here to stop DS shouting up the stairs to me every 5 seconds.

Doctor has prescribed Movicol (?). One a day, then if that doesn't work then twice a day. Please someone say Movicol works quickly?!

Soembarressed No judgement here! I was hating the thought of pooing in front of someone! I've always been one of those neurotic poo issues types who could only go at home, hopefully in an empty house- with the taps running to cover noise! (Oh how things have changed!)

For what it's worth, I'm so much more laid back about it all now which is nice in a way My sister is a midwife and says she doesn't even bat an eye anymore!- I can even laugh at my pre labour condition now and really appreciate a normally functioning bowel!

Movicol is another name for Laxido which I was given by the Dr. It worked really well for me.Until I stupidly stopped dosing, waiting for 'nature'

Take the dose recommended for a blockage first and then just go to the daily 'constipation' dose. Be prepared for an evil night of, ahem, gas.

It might take some work still but when you get done, you will feel amazing. Take the dose, decide its happening when you feel ready, maybe take some paracetamol. Run a hot bath for after and just...er, bear down. Good luck.

I was considering just taking the two a day anyway. Oh god its going to hurt isn't it?! At the moment I can't even wee, I'm sitting on the toilet, feeling myself open up, then shaking and having to jump off the toilet. This is grim.

Ha AllStoppedUp I'm still one of those neurotic poo issues types! Obviously a empty house is rare, but I've only gone once in a public toilet and that was when I was pregnant last time. As a child I wouldn't even wee in public toilets, would rather hold it all day. Obviously where my problem started!

Sorry again, but if anyone is still reading, I've now got the movicol and have just taken a sachet. The doctor has written one or two a day, but I don't know how long for, before I can up it.

Also, how do I know I haven't got a faecal impaction? Should I take more then two tomorrow? Want this hell to be over!

What's the dosage for faecal impaction?

8 sachets in 6 hours

Take for faecal impaction sweetheart, I did whilst pregnant so it is still a safe dose.

Even if you don't have a fully empacted bowel it will make sure you are fully cleared out. It sounds like you do have a blockage due to the sheer amount you've tried with no success.

I know it sounds stupid given how anxious you must be, but you need to relax a bit too as psychologically you might be holding back through fear of pain.

Hope it's over soon.

Make sure you drink LOADS (I mean pints!) Of water with the Movicol too. I drank so much I felt sick, but it worked in a few hours.

I think you are doing so many things, that you won't know what did work! Please try not to panic and relax, a warm bath would help, and a gentle tummy rub while laying in there. If you can manage it , a walk tomorrow will help to get things moving as well- the act of walking, and being upright helps the movicol and lactulose to do their job. Have you a nurse practitioner at your doctors surgery? Maybe you could ask her if she could give you an enema if desperate

Thanks AllStoppedUp

you need to relax a bit too as psychologically you might be holding back through fear of pain. this is exactly what's happening, I don't know how to stop panicking now.

I know it's hard when it's your mind in control but could you put some music on, maybe take a book/magazine and a hot water bottle for your tummy into the loo and relax in there for a bit with no pressure to try. Just try and be as calm as possible. Once you've taken the movicol high dose you will certainly feel it starting to work and can try again.

Does the Movicol make it quite a bit softer or not? Sorry for the stupid questions, toilet issues clearly!

I found the movicol did soften everything. It's used for faecal impaction so it (from what I recall) is intended to make everything easier to pass rather than just forcing the muscles to move it along if that makes sense?! I took the high dose and drank lots and finally went an hour or so after the last lot. It was uncomfortable, but the relief was better and you can always pop in a warm bath and take some pain killers to help afterwards.

I'm not sure I realised I am now qualified to be someone's poo-guru! Really am feeling for you!