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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Please help me! Early labour but extremely constipated!

31 replies

MummyJem97 · 17/01/2018 22:50

I have been having very strong contractions since Sunday now. After being in hospital for so long they told me baby's head can't engage as I'm very constipated and they sent me home to get rid of it so my labour can start but the longer I am staying like this my labour is slowly stopping as my body can't do anything. I am 37 weeks now so it's safe for baby to come but please I have no idea how I can get rid of it quickly with stuff I have in my house.

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Stickaforkinimdone · 17/01/2018 23:01

It doesn't sound like you're actually in labour....in my experience the body is rather good at having a proper 'clear out' prior to labour beginning!
I wouldn't worry about it too much-have plenty of fluids and things will start of their own accord; having constipation is not going to stop your baby coming out when it's ready!

gryffen · 17/01/2018 23:14

Sounds like you need a stool softner such as Laxido which you can use in pregnancy as it's not the same as a laxative.

Laxido you can buy from chemist and have up to 8 a Day, they do work and basically help turn everything watery so easier to pass out. Trust me you don't wanna be constipated and suffer a fissure as it's horrific.

Nikki2ol6 · 18/01/2018 02:42

That’s odd because when I was In labour my body had a huge clear out and I had the worlds biggest poop that I thought may actually be the baby!!! Thankfully it wasn’t and I made it to hospital. I don’t think being constipated would stop your baby coming out and surly if the hospital were concerned the baby couldn’t engage then the baby would become distressed from all the contractions and you would need a section?

ProfessorSillyStuff · 18/01/2018 02:56

If it's really bad maybe put on a glove and start to scoop some out if possible. Gross I know but that's what I have had to do for a couple of months after the birth of my second baby... it really helped rather than straining

maybaby17 · 18/01/2018 02:57

my waters broke before I had any contractions and I did not have a clear out before hand. I was having pains for almost 24 hours before I managed to do a poo. In the hospital toilet, with my husband holding my hand. While I sucked on the gas coz it was so bloody sore and the midwife was running the bath coz the baby was on his way.

I found that my body wasn't getting rid of it until the baby was imminent. After my massive poo aided with the gas and air I then done lots of little rabbit shits in the water in the hour before I birthed my son. My husband tells me that my arse hole was that big he could have fisted it with room to spare and is still quite annoyed Iv never allowed him anal for fear of the pain it would cause me.

Drink plenty water and have some orange juice, try to squeeze one out but as the baby makes it's way down, so will your jobby and then your baby soon afterwards.

Best of luck to you

ProfessorSillyStuff · 18/01/2018 02:58

Ps. Also use some oil or lubricant if you have some!

LondonLassInTheCountry · 18/01/2018 03:12

Be careful, I've known two people who strained a poo, that was a baby!

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 18/01/2018 03:18

There was a thread today OP, over on Chat, have a look at it.
Basically, when you are sat on the toilet, you need to raise your feet, so that you are in a squatting position, it apparently helps to evacuate the bowel.
Google Squatty Potty, to see what I mean.
Hope all goes well.

Batteriesallgone · 18/01/2018 03:21

Hang on, the hospital sent you home without advice or a prescription? Eh?

Don’t ask randoms on the internet. Ring either your midwives or labour ward and ask them for their advised course of action. If they recommend a prescription they can call over to your GP who can write it up and you can go pick it up.

That’s really poor care OP, are you sure they didn’t send you home because you are just experiencing Braxton Hicks? False labour can be a bitch I know but surely they wouldn’t send you home after 4 days of ‘true’ contractions.

Oysterbabe · 18/01/2018 04:56

My husband tells me that my arse hole was that big he could have fisted it with room to spare and is still quite annoyed Iv never allowed him anal for fear of the pain it would cause me.

And they say romance is dead.

LMC84 · 18/01/2018 05:34

Castor oil
Mix with pure orange juice
Will clear out the poo
N get that baby out

titsbumfannythelot · 18/01/2018 05:50

You poor thing. An impacted bowel affected my DD2's birth. Have you thought of taking prune juice?

Please don't take castor oil though, it could make you feel horrendous.

Oysterbabe · 18/01/2018 07:16

Taking castor oil when pregnant is dangerous, please don't do that.

Bubblysqueak · 18/01/2018 07:21

Eat some prunes dates and raisins, and drink prime juice and lots of water them gave a warm bath (or while in the bath) for me within the hour I was going to the loo (baby was days a way but I felt much better!)

lightcola · 18/01/2018 07:25

Prunes on bran flakes are guaranteed to get me moving. I also agree with taking a stool with you and raising your feet up so your knees are higher and you are squatting.

lookingforthecorkscrew · 18/01/2018 08:23

Lactulose! Get on it!

Roystonv · 18/01/2018 08:29

I second ringing the hospital and checking what they told you as I agree it is unlikely/unprofessional if you have been sent home whilst in established labour because you have a full bowel.

Natsku · 18/01/2018 08:34

Why didn't they give you an enema? That would sort it! My hospital gives them as standard when you are in labour.

Batteriesallgone · 18/01/2018 08:38

What country are you in Natsku?

That’s no longer the standard guidance in the UK and hasn’t been for a long time.

Hippydippydoo · 18/01/2018 08:40

Take movicol. I have to take it throughout my pregnancy as I suffer unbearable constipation that resulted in surgery 😭

It's safe for pregnancy, and softens everything. Doesn't taste great but totally worth it. I think you can take upto 3 sachets a day, so I your circumstances I would take the full dose and that should clear you out.

Oysterbabe · 18/01/2018 09:21

Strong black coffee always works for me.

TheBakeryQueen · 18/01/2018 09:48

I would go back to the hospital say you're in too much pain to do this alone at home.

It doesn't sound good care at all.

PGTips83 · 18/01/2018 09:49

My doctor gave me the invaluable tip of eating one or two kiwis first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. I'd never heard of that one before but it usually works for me! Good luck and hope it's resolved soon, it's such a horrible feeling.

Natsku · 18/01/2018 09:49

Finland batteries can understand it not being standard any more in the UK but when someone is so constipated that labour is unable to progress surely it makes more sense to give them an enema rather than send them home to suffer? It's a quick cure.

Batteriesallgone · 18/01/2018 10:18

It sounds like poor care I agree but that should be resolved by discussion / appointment with medical staff

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