Constipation

[RMarieClaire]

My most glamorous pregnancy symptom yet!

I'm 8+2 and for the past few days I've felt horribly blocked up and bloated. I'm already a vegan (though recently have introduced eggs as I'm craving them) and I'm not sure how I can get more fibre into my diet. I'm trying to drink lots of water and although I'm finding exercise hard as I am so tired and nauseous, I'm walking at least 15,000 steps every day.

I'm so bloated I look about 6 months pregnant.

Anyone going through the same struggle or know any tricks to combat this?

It's awful and it doesn't stop, 31 weeks and still suffering! I have a glass of prune juice per day and switched to liquid iron which seems to help. Can't seem to find prune juice in any of the shops but order it from Ocado. Lactulose just made me puke and gave me awful trapped wind.

Hi OP

I feel you, I alternate between morning sickness and constipation! I’m 20 + 4 now so it feels like it’s lasting a life time.

Movicol is good I bought it for around £13 from the pharmacy as I was desperate but you can get this on prescription which is cheaper. Make sure you get your maternity excemption card too - I’m having to reclaim all mine as my midwife forgot to give me it. Movicol helps you go and lactulose softens the stool so id recommend using both together. They are both safe for pregnancy.

As PP has mentioned prune juice those words honestly make me want to cry it’s actually grim. My friend told me to buy dry prunes and have them on my cereal which is more bearable. Other things I find helpful:
Peppermint tea
Cranberry juice
Ripe bananas (make sure they are ripe otherwise it adds to constipation! - I can’t think of the term baby brain strikes again)
Apples
Any leafy green vegetables - broccoli, spinach etc

I know you mentioned too but you literally can’t drink enough water. Gallons of the stuff. I found tracking when I finally ‘went’ (again sounds horrible) is helpful so I can then use movicol and lactulose together. Unfortunately I’ve suffered with constipation since I was about 6 however is a lot worse pregnant - hence me having to track as it’s normal for me not to go everyday. I would definately get in touch with your GP - don’t suffer.

I hope you feel better soon 💜

It's horrible. And I've got pregnancy piles too. The fun just keeps on coming. I'm on the lactulose too.

Dried apricots worked for me plus loads of water.

I’ve got piles too never had them before and they are awful!

Drink loads of water and if needed ask the doctor of laxido or movicol. I tried every fibrous food out there and nothing shifted it. I was determined not to use laxatives but I got so bunged up that I was in a lot of pain. Took laxido every few days from 30 weeks.