Constipation.....tmi

[letitpea]

Must have been covered a million times.

Ive never been constipated (except when taking pregnacare......) but now, well I need to go and cant. 17 +3 and things have stopped moving.

Tmi alert - got the feeling of needing to go this morning, went to loo, couple of small hard bits then the rest refused to follow. It was right there but not exiting.

I have sennakot but think this is best to avoid in pregnancy?

I will never run out of branflakes again (and i drink lots of water, fruit and veg etc)

What can i take?

Lactulose syrup was my saviour in my previous pregnancy. You can get our prescribed or buy it from the chemist.

Could it be a food you are eating that's causing it? Iron tablets can cause constipation (and/or diarrhoea). If you're suffering a lot from constipation, you may get haemorrhoids/piles which can be very painful too especially as your pregnancy progresses so mention it to your mw and see if she can recommend anything. Prunes and dried fruit are meant to be good.

I don't think its caused by what I'm eating, my diet is the same as before pregnancy, with less chocolate! I really would like to prevent it in future (to avoid the piles......)

I will stock up on branflakes again and add some prunes.

Am at work now, most uncomfortable. Will go and speak to the chemist at lunch.

Fybogel is my first port of call when I get a bit bunged up. A dose of it before I go to bed and it usually starts things moving within a day or two.

If that doesn't work, I'd go to your GP for something stronger.

How long has it been since you went properly?

I absolutely swear by this...

8 pitted prunes, put in a pan eith a cup of water and simmer for ten mins, once done blend them and drink half in the morning, half before bed. Has really helped me as I suffered with it ore pregnancy. Some people can just eat prunes but unless I turn them into a puree they seem to just give me wind

Also drinking warm water during the day as well as other fluids helps as your body absorbs warmer water and it can then be used to helo push things through

Midwife told me that senakot is a no no

Too much fibre can be just as bad as not enough for causing constipation. I found oranges helped in my last pregnancy (worked great for me until I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes -too much sugar content)

Another vote for lactulose syrup. Perfectly safe during pregnancy and worked for me within a matter of hours

I think I will start with the lactolose, its been about 5 days since a proper movement, I am not really a daily person but never have a problem going, if anything it will be the other way! I am terrified of having an explosive occurance at work!

Don't think I am having too much fibre, i do eat a pretty balanced diet.

It was 5 days for me too so I completely sympathise. My midwife advised that if possible, put my feet slightly up while on the loo to make it more comfortable. I had a small plastic storage box we keep toiletries in that I propped my feet up on and it did help compared to feet flat on floor.

My gp advised me to (tmi!) put my thumb inside the vagina and push down gently. If you are impacted you will feel it and be able to help it move down. I would advise putting some Vaseline on the outside so you don't tear as it comes out. I now take so much lactose in the hope it doesn't get that bad again. Pregnancy is so glamorous!

It's high levels of progesterone in pregnancy that causes constipation. It works like a muscle relaxant (because it benefits the uterus not to be all cramps) but it causes the gut to be sluggish. I'm suffering terribly at the moment despite taking enough Movicol to fell an elephant.

Don't take Senna, because it can cause gut cramps that also cause contractions. Stool softeners like Movicol and Lactulose are fine though - you can get these free on prescription. If you feel like there's a hard blockage right at the exit, glycerine suppositories are safe as well, but most pharmacists will be too jobsworth to sell them to you.

I wouldn't recommend eating loads of fibre or taking Fybogel because that won't help to soften the blockage you have right now.

I second Movicol. I got some from my pharmacist when I was in desperate need. I say make your way to the pharmacy and be brutally honest. (They should have a private space to see you in!) they are excellent during pregnancy.

You could get it sorted today!

I went to the pharmacy at lunchtime and they wouldn't sell me anything at all!!!!

Ugh. So having failed to get any help at two chemists, I felt the need to go. Again, nothing happening even though I could tell it was right these but just wouldn't come out! Did the thumb thing. It worked thank god, how gross but it got the blockage out then the rest followed.

Felt sore so decided to apply some cream, small pea sized lump has appeared. Wonder if this is a 'pile'? After only one incidence? Depressing.

I knew the pharmacists would refuse to help, it's ridiculous. You'll be able to get something on prescription from your GP though, and I recommend you do, because as your pregnancy progresses it's going to keep happening, unfortunately.

Glad the immediate problem is sorted though. It probably is a pile, which is why you'll need a stool softener - to stop yourself from straining and making them worse.