Constipation relief???

[EyeDrops]

Here's where I hope no-one knows me on here..!

35 weeks pregnant, and have had intermittent but not serious constipation for a while. I've recently been prescribed iron tablets, which I know don't help!

Yesterday evening I knew I needed to go, but things got horribly stuck. I'd honestly rather have been giving birth, it was so painful, and three hours later I still couldn't sit down. It hurt lying down, it hurt walking, it just hurt so much. I suspect I may have torn something.

24+ hours on, I'm still sore and tender. Not unbearably so - I can sit down today at least! - but movement is quite painful, and when I cough, or relax muscles to do a wee - ouchhhh!

Any tips for relief?? I went to the pharmacy and was given lactulose to soften things, and have been drinking lots of water etc. In the short term though, I know I should try to go again sometime soon as letting things build up would be bad, but equally I'm terrified of damaging myself (especially while it's still so painful anyway!).

Any advice gratefully appreciated!

Sounds like you need something like germoloids ointment which will numb the area a little so it doesn't hurt to "go".
BUT you'd need to ask a pharmacist or your doctor if it's suitable in pregnancy.

I’d also recommend movicol along with lactulose, I’m taking sickness tablets as I can’t function without them and they are well known for constipation. Movicol is a life saver to be honest, you can get on prescription but I was desperate and ended up buying it for around £13 over the counter.

I try and up my fibre intake when I’ve struggled like you have, I have prunes with my cereal or have cereal bars etc. Alpen bars are good. Ripe bananas are good too along with peppermint tea. If you don’t eat a lot of fibre usually don’t go OTT as it will make it worse.

It’s horrible constipation but I hope you get relief soon, a nice bath tends to help me when I’ve had a stressful time trying to go.

If you are still struggling go see your GP I was prescribed some stool softeners and suppositories (although I haven’t used them yet) despite my GP initially saying they can’t prescribe anything for constipation during pregnancy it was 10 days and I was screaming in agony on the loo for hours so I had to be firm and explain how bad it was. Funnily enough she changed her tune and prescribed something stronger. However as I say movicol is great for me.

I take magnesium supplement and prunes soaked in water for a while before bed. I also use Anusol cream as I have external piles and they can be so painful. May be you need to have it looked at as you may have gotten yourself an anal fissure, which hurts like hell.
Pregnancy has not been fun!

Prunes, plenty of water and prune juice!

I stocked up on prune juice today Just wish it didn't taste so foul!

I did wonder about an anal fissure, I've never known soreness to last so long - thought I'd be fine after 30 mins or so, so didn't think too much of it until it was still throbbing pain 3/4 hours later!! If it's still sore in another day or two I'll get it looked at.

Tried a bath this evening but I misjudged the temp and it was just lukewarm Better for my bum maybe but miserable to sit in!!

Thanks for all the suggestions - rotten isn't it!!

You can get a glycerine suppository. Not sure if it’s ok in pregnancy that will smooth things out.

For chronic constipation I use Senna tea you can get it in Holland and Barrett

Lactulose takes a few days to work so hang in there! After months of suffering (made worse with iron tablets) I now take 15ml Lactulose, prescription strength magnesium and drink 2-3L of water every day and it‘s finally doing the trick.

If you get that uncomfortable bloated feeling like you need to go but nothing is passing, a large glass of water with magnesium seems to help. Prune juice works too but I never got used to the taste and it made me feel a bit queasy. If possible, ask your dr for high-dose magnesium, not just the supplements from supermarkets. It‘s safe for pregnancy and a bonus effect is that all that magnesium gets rid of leg and foot cramps as well.

For pain, definitely get a cooling hemorrhoid cream and take warm baths. If you manage 2-3 softer bowel movements without tearing the area then it should get better very quickly!

Glycerin suppositories are safe in pregnancy. Very effective! Lubricate with Vaseline and push up as far as you can. Wear gloves if squeamish

I got my DH to look after I'd had a bath, and I think it's a pile I feel so squeamish about it. Tried pushing it back in but gave up because it was too sore, and I kept freaking out and tensing up Will it go back in on its own or should I get the doc to do it??? Aargh I'm so embarrassed (and sore!!)

I empathise with you. After giving birth I suffered with chronic constipation, took lactulose, regular laxatives and suppositories and nothing worked.

I bought dried and tinned prunes (not very nice I’ll admit) and freshly squeezed orange juice and voila my constipation is over. Give them a try

Buy haemorrhoid cream. Use it three times a day to shrink the pile. It's safe and works