TMI - constipation in first trimester

[pregnantandsuffering]

Hi!

Really hoping someone has some advice. I'm around ten weeks and I've just landed the most awful constipation. I'm going maybe every 2-3 days and it's hard, like little pellets. Completely dried up and so hard to pass. I'm spending hours on the loo - is this even normal?

I'm desperate for some advice - I've tried prunes (to excess) Fibogel, constipation relief tablets (said they were safe in pregnancy) hi fibre bran - everything I can think of. I want to try a glycerin suppository but I can't work out if they're safe in first trimester or not and I don't know who to ask - I guess the pharmacist would refer me to a doctor but can I really book a doctors app for this? Can I ring a midwife and if so, who do I ring? Is there like a central number you can just call for advice?

And any suggestions or experience would be greatly appreciated - I'm really suffering and miserable.

Thanks!

See your GP for this. Constipation is normal because your body stops producing the hormone used for making your uterus contract but this hormone also helps your digestive contract and keep things moving. Your body also needs a lot more liquid during pregnancy.

Long term you need to massively increase your liquid intake and eat p foods, prune, pears and peaches for breakfast.

Is what I'm describing normal constipation? I'm concerned because I feel like I'm constantly at the GP so far - I had very bad nausea and vomiting and am now on my third set of meds so I don't want to be seen to just go rushing in all the time. I'm not sure if I'm being dramatic or any of this is abnormal?

Hours on the loo is not normal.

The nausea and vomiting will be making you more dehydrated and therefore more likely to be constipation.

Have you had any scans yet? Any chance this is a twin pregnancy?

Lactulose and loads of water.
It is horrible when you are nauseous and sick.
I found sparkling water easier to tolerate.

What meds are you on?
Some cause constipation.

Try not to sit on the loo for too long or you'll get piles like me.

If it won't happen after five minutes try again later :)

Lactulose- just get it over the counter at the pharmacy- and prune juice (it's better than prunes). Also pear juice, a midwife told me it's better than prunes juice (more fibre) but it's really high in sugar. And as PP said try to drink more fluids (I found squash better than water when feeling nauseous).

TMI WARNING

Thanks everyone. No scans yet but no reason to suspect twins - no history in either family of multiples. I don't think we could cope with twins!

When I say hours, it's spread over the day - I find that it's because my poo is really hard and dry - it's like it's stuck and takes ages to move along. I'm sorry I know that is wayyy TMI but I don't know how to describe this. I've never had constipation like this before - That's why I'm not sure it's normal. In the past if I've had a issue then it would just take a bit longer to go, this feels like nothing is actually moving through my intestines. And I've had an excess of high fiber foods and I've taken some constipation relief pills - in Norma circs this would have me completely sorted out but it's barely had an effect. Surely that can't be right can it?

I think I'm worried this is abnormal for constipation but I'm scared to keep going to the doctor and look like I'm wasting their time.

Try putting your feet up on a low stool/pile of books - anything to raise your knees slightly above your hips. Apparently the position we shit in in the west these days is really bad for moving things along and I found when pregnant that this really helped, even on days when I thought I was really in trouble. Good luck xx

More water than seems reasonable. Buy a squatty potty. Soak a tbsp flaxseeds in water overnight and drink the water - it goes slimy and helps poo pass thru.