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Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

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Pregnancy

First trimester constipation - does it let up?

25 replies

NewMumToBe2021 · 02/08/2020 22:46

I’ve tried prunes, fibre, lots of fluids etc etc

My body has always needed high grade medical aid in any health issue. The soft gentle gentle touch never has worked.

So now I’m in a situation I HAVE to rely on natural gentle remedies and well, I’m more pregnant with 💩 than my 6wks old pregnancy I think 😅😂🤣🤦‍♀️

Doctor prescribed Laxido sachets.

Barely helping. Sorry I know it’s TMI but I dream of the day I have a proper solid bowel movement like a normal healthy person.

When I have had this problem (pre pregnancy) in the past, and now. It affects how I feel all day, everyday. I just feel toxic, can’t enjoy my exercise classes. Hate how I feel. Get mind fog. I just can’t fathom a whole pregnancy of it. I feel on the pregnant already from my distended stumoch and bloating because of it 😞

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Gerdticker · 03/08/2020 00:31

Constipation is awful and not a laughing matter - really try your best to get things improved now, as chances are you will have it for much of this pregnancy.

Personally I like dulcoease tablets as they are non spasmodic, not gross to take, and just soften the stool. They can take 2+ days to work but then should make a difference

Eat something constipation friendly at every meal. Baked beans and tinned pears are my go to!

Stool softening suppositories are also great

You’ll be a strong candidate for piles too (oh the joy!) My advice is, if you start getting them a tiny bit, treat them EARLY and OFTEN to stop them getting bad. coconut oil Is great to help slide any skin back in that starts to poke out!! Use regularly.

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CoalCraft · 03/08/2020 06:20

My first trimester constipation was really quite bad and lasted a good five or six weeks, but it did let up more or less on its own. All I did was increase dietary fibre. Now 17+4 and haven't had this problem since maybe week 10.

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peachypetite · 03/08/2020 06:31

I eat a slice of seeded bread every day, lots of fruit and flax seeds.

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sarahc336 · 03/08/2020 07:04

It's the fault of higher levels of progesterone and in my case in both pregnancies it doesn't really get any better and then you end up getting piles, sorry progesterone makes your food pass through slower so your body can get as much vitamins as possible for the baby, only way I've found helps is loads of watery fruit like melons etc xx

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Billyjoearmstrong · 03/08/2020 08:01

Two words: stool softeners.

I’ve been drinking Laxido twice a day from 12 weeks. If I miss a couple of days then I’m constipated again).

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NewMumToBe2021 · 03/08/2020 08:41

Sorry to sound so crude or graphic. But do you find with laxido you just get runny stuff come out? 🙈 I still don’t feel it empty’s my bowel. Maybe a quarter.
Literally feel so full and toxic.
Going to try just juices today because I can’t bare feeling so full and toxic like after another day of solid food 🤦‍♀️😩

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UsedUpUsername · 03/08/2020 08:44

Awful. I’m on iron tablets through pregnancy (though am taking a break because they are so constipating) and nothing works. Luckily I do have a hose attachment to help relax the sphincter muscles but I’ve recently started my morning coffee in an effort to improve it. Second trimester so really only expect it to get worse 😓

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Billyjoearmstrong · 03/08/2020 09:28

@NewMumToBe2021 it takes a bit of trial and error to work out the right dose for you. After you’ve cleared everything out with the recommend constipation dose, just experiment to see how much a day keeps everything soft without being loose. It’s usually two sachets.

Usually I’m all for diet changes etc, but honestly, there’s nothing wrong with stool softeners. They are the fastest way to help and to keep everything going.

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NewMumToBe2021 · 03/08/2020 09:32

Thank you for the advice! Will take it down to two sachets 🙏

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MizMoonshine · 03/08/2020 09:49

Drink as much water as humanly possible. Go for walks. Up your fibre intake.
You'll be free of the butt-struggle soon.
And then you'll be evacuating your bowels like it's nobodies business come the third trimester!
Yay!

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NewMumToBe2021 · 03/08/2020 09:51

Omg that is music to my ears! Haha! I much prefer that than not evacuating 😅

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BakedBeeeen · 03/08/2020 13:39

If you are taking any multivitamin tablets or extra iron, stop taking immediately. Just take folic acid/vit D on its own. Overdosing on iron is what caused my horrific constipation in early pregnancy, and it eased so much after stopping taking the multi-vitamin. It’s so awful to have that “full” feeling all the time, where you never want to eat for fear of making it worse!!

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MrsMcnulty20 · 03/08/2020 13:42

I was the same - but fine now (16 weeks). Midwife recommended taking flaxseed. I just sprinkle it on cereal. It’s AMAZING! Seriously would recommend trying it.

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SilverLining89 · 03/08/2020 16:28

OP you have my sympathy. I have read a lot of threads on MN about Constipation in Pregnancy and unfortunately even most of the remedies people suggest never work on me.

I eat lots of fibre, eat fruit, drink OJ but to no avail. I am unfortunate in that I suffered with constipation badly before I got pregnant any way.

I have been drinking Fybogel everyday since I was about 2 months pregnant and it does work. I also take Lactulose sometimes and that does work also - but I have to drink lots of water with it to prevent cramps. That too is also sporadic - works one day, doesnt work the next.

Good luck, hopeful you will find something that works for you

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Hlce24 · 03/08/2020 17:33

Constipation can make you feel like shit. I had it severely in early pregnancy, my midwife recommended 1 spoonful of milk of magnesia and that did the trick, quite fast too..!!

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Applesnow22 · 03/08/2020 17:39

Here is something that works for me. I am currently 13weeks+6days and experienced constipation early on.

My mother started juicing beets for me ever since she found out I was pregnant. Apparently it is amazing for you and helps with the folate acid! Also it is LOADED with much need vitamins

And when I tell you it cleans you out, it is like a natural laxative.

So if you want a healthy, natural cleanse, try beets juice (I usually add orange juice for the taste) and I have a glass a day.

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Margo34 · 03/08/2020 18:05

Drink loads of water like its going out of fashion.

Also another top tip: when you're on the loo raise your feet so your knees are higher than your hips, it puts your body in more of a natural squat position which straightens out the bowels and helps movements. It def helps! I had my feet up on the bin every time 🙈

Pregnancy is not classy!

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Catherine1210 · 03/08/2020 21:39

I struggled SO bad to the point of getting stuck on the toilet at times!

Magnesium vitamins helped me keep regular sooo much. I haven’t had a problem since taking them!

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BornOnThe4thJuly · 03/08/2020 21:48

I would second using a stool to rest your feet on, so your knees are higher than your hips. I had to resort to glycerin suppositories in my first pregnancy.

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Katerinakaterinaki · 04/08/2020 09:18

Even without pregnancy I'm usually not very regular, but since hitting about 15 weeks all the first trimester constipation has gone - I think eating bran flakes every morning really helped me!

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NewMumToBe2021 · 04/08/2020 13:16

@BakedBeeeen

If you are taking any multivitamin tablets or extra iron, stop taking immediately. Just take folic acid/vit D on its own. Overdosing on iron is what caused my horrific constipation in early pregnancy, and it eased so much after stopping taking the multi-vitamin. It’s so awful to have that “full” feeling all the time, where you never want to eat for fear of making it worse!!

Yes oh my gosh. Exactly this! I started having home made juices / smoothies in the morning because of it. My body was just feeling so full and toxic.

Okay thanks for the tip. Will get a different folic acid/vit d supplement.

Will you / have you gone back onto the full pregnancy multivitamin now your later in pregnancy or not still?

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NewMumToBe2021 · 04/08/2020 13:19

@SilverLining89 Yes, I was the same. Pre pregnancy I was prone to constipation a lot also. My ADD med I took always used to sort that out daily every morning sadly.
Sorry your a sufferer too. Pre and with pregnancy.good luck too 🙂🤞

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NewMumToBe2021 · 04/08/2020 13:21

@Applesnow22 great tip, thanks, will give it a go. Did she get prepacked beets or the raw veg uncooked ones. Have juiced with the hard raw ones years ago will try again now 🤞 x

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NewMumToBe2021 · 04/08/2020 13:23

Thanks for all the other tips ladies. Going to go out shopping for bits!

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orangejuicer · 04/08/2020 14:49

It's good practice for after the birth! Hope you are feeling better soon.

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