Severe constipation - Next step?

[Becciilouisex3]

Hi ladies!

I'm aware this is a little TMI but I'm really worried! For the last month or so I have been suffering constipation. I don't have stomach cramps so much but just no desire to go whatsoever no matter what I seem to do!

I can't actually remember the last time I was able to go for a number two but it is definitely around the 9/10 days mark.

It's getting to the point where I'm really worried I might have to go to the hospital and have it removed!

I've tried all the usual eating lots of fibre and I drink water like a fish! Is there anything you ladies can recommend and when shall I seek help if I still can't go?

Thanks ladies x

Should have mentioned I'm 13 weeks exactly today!

If you've exhausted prunes, prune juice etc, I'd go to your pharmacist or GP, I've been prescribed fybogel in pregnancy for constipation, very effective but gentler than other laxatives

I haven't tried prune juice yet actually! I've upped my fruit and vegetable intake even more so and tried Apple juice as apparently that's supposed to be good!

I'll try prune juice and then if nothing I'll call the GP!

Thank you for the advice! x

Movicol - aka Laxido and Macrogol. You don't need to get it from your GP (nor indeed Fybogel, that's available OTC too). It will almost certainly work but it might take a day or two. Carry on with lots of fluids, lots of veg, prunes etc meantime. You can safely take 2 sachets a day of Movicol in pregnancy. Lactulose is another possibility but IMHO it's more likely to make you windy and it is a bit unpredictable (when you need to go, you need to go)

That's fantastic thank you!

I think I'll go for the unpredictability if need be just to clear the blockage haha! My schedule isn't too busy for this week either so it should be relatively safe!

Thank you for the advice! x

I could have written this post myself. I am 10+2 and have been suffering with constipation since day one! I've been following pharmacist advice and taking 2 x lactulose and 2 x fybogel per day and although it worked initially it's doing nothing for me now. This is despite increasing fibre and water and continuing regular exercise. Have a doctors appointment on Friday, anyone know what is likely to be prescribed/suggested at this stage in pregnancy?

13 weeks and suffering as well. Been taking Fybogel but no result as yet!!

Fybogel isn't really a laxative, it's a bulking agent, a bit like All Bran. You might well need something which actually has a laxative effect rather than just Fybogel. Movicol is more reliable than Lactulose IMHO, I'd skip the Lactulose OP. Though It is cheaper.

butterfly my guess is Movicol plus glycerin suppositories maybe.

think I should change my username to effing Movicol

Had doctors appointment today. Have to continue with lactulose and take two 7.5mg Senna tablets at night. Hopefully this will provide some relief!

Ground flax seed is great for this.

There's also something in pears which is supposed to help, like plums and apples. If the over the counter stuff is starting to be less effective, hitting it from all angles is probably a good idea (exercise, movicol, fruit!). I took a sennacot in my last pregnancy, woke up in the night in agony and had to sit up half the night sipping peppermint tea. It was horrendous and certainly didn't seem to work for me as it still took me a couple of days to 'go'. I think it was the pregnancy vitamins that had bunged me up :/ Not that I'm advising stop talking vitamins, but maybe speak to midwife about one with less iron if you're not anemic.

I'm having the same problem and agree with Preggo that it's the vitamins. I'm still taking them, but haven't been properly for 5 days now.

I tried to get Movicol yesterday and chemist refused me and said I had to go to the doctor! I thought it was OTC???

The ONLY thing that helped my constipation in pregnancy was a small cup of black coffee!

You can buy glycerin suppositories over the counter and they are safe for pregnancy. It's not overly pleasant but not painful or anything and will definitely help get things moving. I took 10ml lactulose daily in pregnancy (and for a while afterwards too) as I had real probs with this. It's totally safe to do this. The glycerin suppositories were for the emergencies!!!!