Tips for constipation

[pottypotamus]

Hello,
Please help me! I'm 33 weeks, being taking iron tablets since I was 19 weeks. Had constipation on and off throughout since start of second trimester. I've been taking Lactulose. I've been drinking water like crazy, well over 2L a day.

A few weeks ago I discovered I have haemorrhoids. Pooing at the moment has become the bane of my life at the moment. It's so excruciating going for a poo that I have to hold onto the bathtub and sink for support and I shake from the pain. I broke down earlier today because it was so painful I couldn't finish my bowel movement.

Does anyone have any tips on how I can poo without it hurting so much?
I've been to doctor/midwife who've just said take Lactulose.

[gigi556]

Try Purition shakes. They are really good and I used them to help me go when pregnant. They have physiilum husks and other seeds and such. It helps I promise!

[Paperchainpopp]

Prunes and fresh orange juice.

[rachb2019]

@pottypotamus have you been able to go now?

I feel so sorry for you - it sounds really painful :(

[sunlight81]

Lots of :

Dried apricots
Dried Figs
Water

10w pregnant and also got off/on constipation- it's working for me

[pottypotamus]

I'll definitely have to try all the dried fruits as well.
I've been eating Kiwis the last couple of days because I heard they can help you but don't know if that's just a myth.

@rachb2019 I managed to finish my poo from yesterday at 1.30am last night. It was painful but a relief.

I've got some ice for today, I'll wrap in tissue and use to numb just before I have to go.

I'm just worried it'll get infected down there.

[Elouera]

Some haemorrhoid creams contain a local anaesthetic, so they'd be far nicer and easier than putting an ice cube there!

[rachb2019]

@pottypotamus Glad you have finally done it!

I suffered terribly during both of my pregnancies - greatest stress was needing to go in the morning before leaving for work and not being able to! Argh!

[pottypotamus]

@Elouera
Sorry I get what you mean about a squatty potty now, dunno what I was thinking.

I will definitely ask DH to get a cream from the pharmacy when he goes. We haven't been able to get out today. Yes I agree sounds a lot easier than ice cubes lol.

My DH is saying I'm blocked up because I'm not actively going every day. But I can't make myself go everyday right? Or am I wrong. I just go when I get the urge to go.

[pottypotamus]

Update: don't know how many people of interested. But I spoke to GP yesterday who prescribed me some more lactulose, scheriproct suppositories and cream.

The crap pharmacy my prescription went directly to was out of stock for the suppositories and Lactulose. I tried the cream, might me slowly working of the haemorrhoids but didn't provide any pain relief.

I've developed shaking and nausea since and haven't been able to get any more poo out since. Called 111 this morning who sent an ambulance.

The doctor had a look and said there's one external haemorrhoid and a fissure which is prob what is causing the excruciating pain.

They performed enema. And I'm glad to say after a while the 'blockage' came out. It's a relief but I've now got a really really sore bum.

I'm currently in maternity waiting for them to check baby is ok.

[Billyjoearmstrong]

Oh @pottypotamus! Got that’s for want of a better word, shit!

Right, now it’s all out don’t let it get to that point again.

Seriously take a stool softener like movicol everyday. Unless you take lactulose in huge quantities, it’s terrible. We never used to give it to patients at work (mental health, lots were on drugs that caused constipation). Movicol and the like everyday are the best way to go.

[CoalCraft]

Sorry it's gross but of I'm struggling with a bowel movement I find it helps to take trousers and knickers fully off so I can open my legs wide and bring the bathroom bin round to put my feet up on the lid

[AliasGrape]

What’s helped me has been dried apricots, prunes if I need the big guns (!) and bizarrely cauldron falafel always seem to do the trick.

Try to distract yourself with kindle/phone/iPad. Try to lean backwards instead of forwards and have your feet flat on floor or - even better raised slightly with something like the squatty potty. (I sometimes pull the bathroom bin over and put my feet on that).

Also, do you know about ‘down breathing?’Its what the Positive birth company call it - the breathing you do when you’re in the pushing bit of labour. I’ve been practicing that whilst having a poo and it’s really helped! I’ll see if I can find a link to an explanation anywhere ...

[AliasGrape]

Here you go - down breathing! She’s talking about labour but it really does help when pooing

[Dingdong99]

Fybogel! Took one or two sachets every day when I was pregnant

Tastes nice and has the desired effects

[pottypotamus]

Thanks you @Billyjoearmstrong
I am determined not to let it get back to that. It's the most horrendous pain, pooing and also having someone fiddle about down there in your back passage! 

I will see if the doctor will change the prescription to Movicol as the Lactulose is still out of stock.

@CoalCraft yes I've been doing the same because my bump gets in the way, so mostly everything comes off.

Thanks @AliasGrape I'll have a look at the link, happy to try anything that will help!
Also going to ask DH to get some prune juice and dried apricots when he goes to the shops next.

[MoonDelay]

I was given iron tablets which made me feel dizzy, sick, tired and just generally shit. I had to pass a poo brick, it was absolutely horrendous and I thought I was pushing my guts out too. I was bruised everywhere! The only thing that made it slightly bearable was prune juice.

Spatone successfully got my iron levels back in check without all of the horrid effects of tablets.