The joy of constipation in pregnancy....

[hellymum21]

Hi everyone,
I'm 8 weeks today and this week I've started to experience constipation, well sort of although I am going every third day (used to be daily) and I don't feel particularly constipated but when I do go they are MASSIVE like blocking the toilet every time massive!!!! Sorry TMI but has anyone experienced this?! I'm trying to up my fluid intake at advice of midwife. I will try eating some more fibre in diet but I'm genuinely scared to push these bad boys out because I'm worried I'll do damage!! My friend thinks it's practice for labour 🤣but on a serious note any tips welcome! I've read it's pretty normal but I can't cope with this for the whole pregnancy 😫

The best advice a friend gave me was “don’t let yourself get constipated”.

Get some fybogel. It’s safe to use in pregnancy and just makes things easier rather than URGENT! Iykwim congratulations on your pregnancy.
www.boots.com/fybogel-hi-fibre-orange-30-sachets-10052725

Drink lots of water
Try fybofel
I got movicol from the GP after I thought my bum was truly broken

My OB/GYN prescribed Lactulose for me. I've never been particularly regular but, like you, they were getting painful to get out and hemorrhoids are bottom of my wish list!
I've been taking 15ml every other day and it's really helped

I find daily prunes and a kiwi help to keep me regular.

I had extreme morning sickness for 9 months where I tried so many medication and later tried Zofran (Ondansetron) which was great apart from the fact it left me constipated. There were times where I couldn't go for number 2 for no joke 10 days! I tried fybrogel and was given suppositories which helped immediately. Try fybrogel and eat a lot of fruit & fibre as well to avoid constipation which leads to piles.

Get on a yoga ball! Just bouncing, rotating hips etc. helped me loads - no idea why, must just be the squat position and light exercise!

I didn’t get constipated during pregnancy, I ate lots of fresh/fibre (not much stayed down though as had HG) but when I went they were HUGE. Refusing to flush level of HUGE it was scary.

I’ve heard lots of stories about huge poos in pregnancy, I think it’s a thing.

A cocktail of fybogel, lactulose and prune juice every evening has been a game changer...

Going through the same one actually got a bit stuck at the start of pregnancy (sorry tmi)

I'm now taking lactoluse Cos it's never really got fully back to normal and trying to eat more fruit and veg. Lactoluse works by drawing water into your bowel and softening everything up so you need to drink plenary of water to get the best effect. I've also bought some fresh orange juice too.

When I was really struggling I found getting in a warm bath relaxed everything a bit and helped

Water and a decent diet. What pregnancy pills are you taking? I just took folic acid and vitamin D. I had heard the full vitamin pregnancy tablets can cause constipation and the midwife said those two were the only thing I actually needed to take and i had no problems. Blood tests would show a lack of other vitamins or iron if required.

I had terrible constipation with my first pregnancy then terrible diarrhoea with my second 🙈 personally i think constipation is worse especially if you develop haemorrhoids, the pain is terrible. Try and get it sorted early in your pregnancy

I find a spoonful of flaxseed every day really helps- I sprinkle on cereal or have it with smoothies.

I had terrible constipation in my third trimester. One particularly awful occasion meant I struggled to sit down comfortably for a week and had a MASSIVE painful pile. It was horrible.

Prune juice, fibre, lots of water, lactulose, fybogel etc - get in good dietary habits to keep it at bay if you can!!

Its the effect of progesterone on the small bowel and slows peristalsis- the rhythmic movement of the bowel. Its always my 1st sign of pregnancy and it utterly awful.

A squatty potty or anything similar to life your feet up- bricks, phone books, extra large jars or little kids step stools- anything to raise your feet when sitting on the loo. A normal, seat toilet makes your bowel go into an S shape, whereas a traditional squat straightens it out and makes pooing SO much easier. Even just raising your feet a bit helps, it doesnt need to be a complete squat down.

Otherwise, chia seeds, extra water, psyllium husks and anything add extra fibre will help. Otherwise speak to your pharmacist about things to help.

Thanks very much everyone, some really great tips!

The worst/most embarrassing thing for me is the fact that it takes me forever to go! Can literally be sat on the toilet for 45 minutes!

Missed a whole video conference for work on Tuesday morning this week because I was stuck on the toilet!

@hellymum21

Hi everyone, I'm 8 weeks today and this week I've started to experience constipation, well sort of although I am going every third day (used to be daily) and I don't feel particularly constipated but when I do go they are MASSIVE like blocking the toilet every time massive!!!! Sorry TMI but has anyone experienced this?! I'm trying to up my fluid intake at advice of midwife. I will try eating some more fibre in diet but I'm genuinely scared to push these bad boys out because I'm worried I'll do damage!! My friend thinks it's practice for labour 🤣but on a serious note any tips welcome! I've read it's pretty normal but I can't cope with this for the whole pregnancy 😫

Oh my god I’m relating so much to this 😂😂😂

I used to be daily, even down to time was regular! Now I’m lucky if I’m every other day. I was on a call with my manager today and had to lie that my doorbell went and I had to run to the loo as it was finally time and I honestly thought I’d blocked the loo 😂 the water rose all the way to the top but thankfully went back down 😂😂 (sorry for the TMI 😂)

Pregnancy poos are a scary thing!! My advice is to sort it ASAP because the pressure of the baby as you get into third trimester can make it much worse. I had twins and had to have a haemorrhoidectomy at 34 weeks pregnant to remove huge swollen piles that wouldn't go back in. It was the most painful and distressing experience, far worse than my c sections.

@Elouera

Yes! I forgot about this but yes I used to use the waste paper bin to test my feet on and lift them so I was in a squatting position.

Helped a lot...bit harder by third trimester though but still doable!

I suffered badly with this at the start and I must say drinking a cup of prune juice a day helped ALOT! It tasted vile and I dreaded drinking it but it did work. Hope or passes soon for you. xx

I’ve avoided this by having seeded bread most days, flax seeds on cereal and eating loads of fruit.

I once went two weeks when I was pregnant with dd

I was in hospital at the time (not related to this) and they gave me fibrogel and lactulose.

The relief..my god the relief, when it finally happened.

I’m 30 weeks and really struggling. I have lactulose and it keeps it soft but I feel like my whole system has slowed down. I often feel like I need to go and can’t.
I have now got piles that are becoming more painful and it’s just gross. Cream doesn’t seem to be helping much. I’m going to talk to the GP again next week.
Will this all get better after the baby is born? This is my third baby and I’ve never suffered like this before. I think my body is just getting worn out now.

Just wanted to update you all I spoke to pharmacist and got some fibogel on Saturday. Seems to already be under control, much easier and more regular 👍🏻😊 defo recommend it despite its yuck consistency 🤮