New to Mumsnet.. and Pregnancy!

[Tashy777]

Hi! I was hoping I could get a little friendly advice from others that may be experiencing/have experienced what's going on with my body.. constipation!! I'm 4 weeks pregnant and suffering terribly... I have IBS which is normally the total opposite of constipation so it's been a welcome relief for the past week or so, however, it's really starting to become uncomfortable! I was wondering if this is normal at such an early stage (I've read it's normally 2nd trimester) and if there's anything I can take that's safe for my baby and not going to irritate my IBS?
Thank you in advance!

Hey OP welcome to the funfilled world of pregnancy!

I'm 14 weeks with my first and I suffered from constipation in the first few weeks, from what I've read and after talking to other women it does happen in the 1st trimester too so it's not unusual!

With regards to what you can take I would check with your GP as I know they can prescribe something if it's bad however I just drank lots of water and increased my fibre intake a little and that seemed to do the trick with me. One thing I have learned is that sometimes you just have to ride these things out!

Hope you feel better soon xxx

Hi Op,

Congrats. I had constipation in the first while too. It would wake me up and keep me awake with cramps. I changed around my routine a bit and it really helped;

Are you taking pregnacare or similar? Take it in the evening instead of the morning. First thing in the morning have some cereal loaded with fiber (bran flakes, cheerions etc). Try have another portion of fiber during the day too, I have two Alpen cereal bars as a snack through out the day. I am now back to normal (thank feck).

If this doesn't work talk to your doc but hopefully it won't get that far.

Hiya, yeah I’m taking pregnacare which contains Iron which I’ve read can also make you constipated! I don’t eat cereal because I don’t like it, but I’ll have a look at some alternatives for fibre and see if I can get something going! Thanks so much for the advice 😊 xxx

Lashings of fibre and water. 3rd baby here 38 weeks and I have just developed the most disgusting pile. It is do painful and disgusting. I wish I added more fibre and water and font strain when doing a poo

Thank you all for your help :)

I have been suffering right from the start (am now 30+5) and managed it a lot during the first trimester using liquorice, fruit juice and acidic fruit but have since had to start taking cosmocol sachets as I’ve ended with piles as well.

@Rememberalball awh never! I've never had piles before so I have no idea what they're like but I've heard they can be painful.. After writing the post yesterday I haven't been off the toilet all day.. I'm in agony! Just going to start introducing more fibre into my diet and hope for the best

Hi @Tashy777 I'm 10 weeks and suffered horribly with constipation from about 4 to 8 weeks. Like other posters say, lots of water and high fibre foods - fresh fruit and veg if you can't stomach cereal, potatoes with skins are good. I also drank a glass of prune juice every day, it's disgusting but it really works

If it gets unbearable & diet doesn’t shift it (not easy if the sickness kicks in) - your doc can give you a really gentle laxitive called laxido/movicol. I have IBS but my issue is constipation with it, so I’m well versed in medication & diet! Laxido is a lifesaver & safe in pregnancy!

Diet wise, you want insoluable fibre for constipation. Wholemeal, wholegrains, All Bran, BranFlakes.. have a google & you’ll see lots of examples! And make sure you drink lots of water with it!

Perfect that’s very much! Tried to go to a pharmacy and ask them and they wouldn’t give me anything as I’m pregnant and said I need to go to the doctor. I’m gonna drink more water and have more fibre and see if that works, thanks girls! X