Constipation

[court0703]

I am experiencing constipation for the first time at 12 weeks pregnant and the pain is just unbelievable. I've spoken to my GP who has given me lactulose and the early pregnancy unit don't seem concerned at the excruciating pain. - has anyone else suffered this amount of pain in constipation?

Yes I struggled awfully with this both times I was pregnant. The thing that helped me most was prunes/prune juice (I used to chug a small glass every morning and then have some water straight after 🤢). Then loads of water throughout the day and as much veg as you can. I did this after the second birth too and it helped so much for that first scary poo!
You have my sympathy. It's horrible!

Thank you. I was just really worried about the pain and it makes me not feel hungry... hopefully it goes away soon xx

Yes I suffered this in the beginning and now at 37 weeks it's appearing again. Plenty of fibre helps, I've been having porridge every morning and there's definitely an improvement. Hopefully it eases up for you soon!

Prunes
Lactulose
Movicol
Gallons of water
Spinach, apple and kiwi smoothies.
Porridge.
Vegetable soup.
If that doesn't work, glycerin suppositories.
It is miserable.
Iron tablets make it much worse, so if you have to take them, double up on the fruit and veg.

Do not eat allbran or similar. It solidifies like concrete in your slow moving gut.

Thanks so much x

Try a glycerin suppository if it get too bad, I have IBS-C and had to regularly use them through the 2nd trimester

Yes, i was in bed for a week, each time i tried to move or even sit i had unbearable pain on my left side. With lactulose being prescribed after a hospital visit, everything went better afterwards.

The reason you are still feeling bad is that you probably have irritation now and your baby is pushing on it.

Hang in there, it’s gonna be better!

I’ve been taking lactulose every day for the last couple of months; plus drinking gallons of water every day. I still have the odd day when I’m screwed up in pain but it’s usually if I’ve eaten a big meal or something.

Me now! And all week. The only thing working is peppermint and liquish tea it's awful but does the job

I have spoken to the pharmacy and they said a glycerin suppository isn't safe during pregnancy? Is this the case.

Thank you x

@court0703 tThe best thing to do is speak to your doctor, I'm consultant led and she was the one who suggested them to me.

Thank you x

Omg i have this too my stomach looks more like 7ninths preg then 11wks. Its so hard and constantly bubbling and grumbling. Iv tryd lactolose. Kiwiws raisons pineapples. Help x

Glycerin suppositories are good apparently just haven't worked for me... peppermint tea makes my stomach feel better but the main is unreal, I've been in hospital overnight and they've given me morphine and prescribed codeine for the pain xx

I had terrible constipation with both pregnancies. I bought a squatty potty. A normal toilet seat where you sit makes your bowel squish into an S bend shape, making it far more difficult to pass stool. A squatting position straightens the bowel out, and makes it much easily to pass even a firm stool.

A squatty potty (there are many brands, but essentially just lifting your knees up a bit rather than feet flat on the floor) really made all the difference for me. We have a tiny bathroom, so I got a collapsible type, whereas some can be large and wrap around the base of the toilet bowl. I like to be able to remove it when we have guests in particular.

Sorry it TMI, but DH sits to urinate. He informed me that when he tried using the squatty potty, the urine didnt go into the bowl but instead flew out! {grin}

I had fibrogel prescribed which really helped. Hope you feel better

Hello OP, yes I've been suffering with constipation for a couple of weeks. I'm 15weeks now. It's been awful. I've been bleeding lots from behind as well
The pharmacist gave me Lactulose which I've been taking for a week and it's started kicking in a couple of days ago. I've had to lower my dosage because it started working a bit too well! I've been drinking lots of water and orange juice and eating lots of apples and pears.

Morphine and codeine cause severe constipation.
Have they scanned your abdomen?

Could’ve written this myself OP. I’m rolling around in agony with constipation on the ward at the moment (I was admitted for infection but constipation has made the whole experience even more uncomfortable!) . They’re not concerned here either and have said as long as I’m not bleeding they’re not worried , I have my 12 week scan in two weeks . The pain is so so bad I really feel for you !