Flippin lactulose!

[Junosmum]

I busted wanted to give other new mummy's/ pregnant ladies a word of caution.

I gave birth on the second- midwife said my episiotomy made me look like I'd been kicked by a horse and as is normal, my bum was a bit swollen. I felt I needed 'to go' but I have ibs and going can be difficult at the best of times so they gave me some lactulose. Did NOT warn me it could cause explosive diarrhoea!

6 hours after giving it me, had terrible tummy rumblings. Was feeding new born son, and had to run to the loo (luckily I'd been given a private room). But it was too late. I have never been so glad to be wearing an adult nappy (maternity pad!).

Just a word of caution!

I've had lactulose and it's never caused this. It actually didn't do much at all and I had to have movicol which is disgusting stuff!

Not much fun for you OP though!

I've been using Lactulose and this has never happened to me. In fact, it's been a god send for my constipation. All its doing for me is softening things up - no diahhorea at all.

I don't think it's a common reaction, I'd never heard of it before, everyone else said it was just easing things.

I took lactulose for months whilst breastfeeding my DS (now 3) & I've been taking it for months now whilst pregnant (damn iron tablets ruined me).

I have found a few times that it's given me looser poo than intended so I've reduced the dose but never explosive!

Sounds like not one to mix with IBS though?!

I've been on lactulose too for piles and now constipation caused by iron tablets. I actually found it quite ineffective and the doctor prescribed me movicol instead last week which has been amazing! Maybe you just took a super large dose?

Movicol isn't great tasting but I prefer it to the lactulose which is so sweet it makes me gag!

Yeah it's not fab when you've got IBS (although I did end up practically living on lactulose for most of my pregnancy).

The explosiveness stops after a while but the tummy gurgles carry on for as long as you keep taking it, in my experience.

I had it in July when I gave birth to my daughter, I had a third degree tear and I was advised to take lactulose along with fybogel. They were a god send as i was really nervous about going afterwards especially as I had more stitches that end than the other. I didn't suffer any diarrhoea or anything just looser and much easier. Would definitely recommend for anyone that has had stitches!! Hope you recover soon Junosmum!

I've never had that reaction and I've taken gallons of the stuff in my time, pregnant and not.

It's just gave me terrible wind when I took it after birth