Will I ever go to the toilet again??

[JY8819]

I’m 13 weeks pregnant and have had constipation as a major symptom from the start. Lately it seems even worse though...not helped by the fact I’ve just taken a very long haul flight which has this effect when I’m not pregnant. I haven’t been at all in three days and apart from my stomach looking twice the size I don’t even feel like I need to / could go.

I’m eating tonnes of fibre and fruit, even tried some tea in the hope caffeine will get things moving but I just eat and eat and nothing comes out, I feel like a ball! On an evening I look about six months pregnant!

Anyone have any tips or specific foods? I’ve been swimming an hour a day and drinking water. I kind of feel like the my uterus is pressing on everything down there as I need to pee every 10 mins and never feel like I can fully empty my bladder. I don’t know if laxatives are safe? I’m in Sri Lanka so I think the brands would be different here.

Try prune juice - natural and will definitely get you moving.

Lactulose. 100% get some in for post birth too... I suffered with constipation and it got worse throughout pregnancy for me and this was the best thing.

I hadcthis, it’s grim. 2 bowls of all bran a day and lactalose. I was in love with lactlose

Tons of beetroot!

I am 14 weeks and had to go to the doctor for the same reason this week! I woke up a couple of days ago with stomach pain that had me doubled over, doctor has prescribed laxido (spelling?) and sent off a urine sample as possible uti also. I have been drinking loads and making sure lots of fibre in diet with no relief!

Sorry just read you are in Sri Lanka so the brand of laxitive prob won't help. Give prune juice a go!

I’m sure you can get glycerin suppositories in a chemist in Sri Lanka? They were the only thing that helped with my constipation in early pregnancy.

Hi OP, I always suffer with constipation during pregnancy too, it’s horrible. I find drinking fresh orange juice and eating museli/granola daily helps and keeping as hydrated as possible (preferably water not tea/coffee).

Thanks for the replies! I’ll see if I can get some laxatives or suppositories with the same active ingredients as UK brands over here. I almost darent leave the hotel room as I think it’s only a matter of time before i explode ...I’ve been eating tonnes, no idea where all the food is going!

You poor thing!

I'm the same at the mo and taking the aforementioned lactulose which is great but having to time it so I make sure I don't explode at work!

I really feel for you, I suffered hugely with his until I was about 16weeks. Things that helped for me:

A milky coffee and raisin wheats (shredded wheats with raisins).

Sitting on the loo with my feet on box, so my knees were up towards my chest in a squatting position. This helped reduce straining.

A lower back rub, if you can do this while your sitting the loo even better.

Sounds really weird but when I was super constipated (now week 31) Pepsi max helped

I’m with those who mentioned prune juice. Tastes foul but does the trick. Good luck!

Prune juice 100%!

A good proper coffee, rubbing your tummy in a clockwise motion, do NOT sit and strain on the toilet. You will get hemmaroids. Only go if you feel the urge to, even then, if you push for a few seconds and nothing happens, step off the loo my friend.

Avoid anything like potatoes and bread which will just bung you up even more.

Good luck!

Another prune juice advocate! I'm 9+5 and have been suffering since I was 5 weeks, I now down (literally down in one as it looks and tastes foul) a glass of prune juice either after work or first thing in the morning and it starts working about 8 hours later. I feel your pain though, I've never experienced it before now and it's not something I want to repeat!

Also a prune juice advocate. A full glass in the morning will completely clear me out or about a half or a third helps to keep things vaguely normal

If you can't find prune juice, down a couple pints of fresh orange juice. Always helps me.

Definitely drink as much fluid as you can stand because it'll soften everything and it will help.

You can safely have 2 cups of tea a day (might even be 3). Some people say the warm water helps, so have another if you like!

I hope you manage to get sorted xx

Suppositories, I had this and used them once and it sorted it out same day, then I ate weetabix everyday and that kept me regular.

Kiwi, coffee and pear juice all help me.