How good is lactulose? TMI

[mayihavesomecakeplease]

I'm feeling so so miserable (which I feel a bit guilty about as this is a much longed after IVF pregnancy) -- I have had vomiting, migraines, nosebleeds, and constipation one after another up until now at almost 12 weeks.

The TMI is that I feel like I have really hard stools that I can't pass. I'm so sore and tired from not sleeping well.

I've finally sent my DH to the pharmacy for me this morning and they have given me lactulose. I've never taken a laxative before, so I've started off with a small dose. Has anyone found lactulose is effective at softening hard stools?

Any hope for this feeling-sorry-for-herself pregnant lady?

Hiya, I empathise - am 17 weeks and have just passed the vomiting etc stage but the constipation is driving me up the wall. Lactulose does work although you probably need to take it everyday which I am cautious about. I took it for four days and had some reasonably soft stools then stopped so I am now back to square one :(. The good news is that it definitely works - took me about 24 hours to do its job.

@feistymumma Thank you, that's great to know. The pharmacist also recommended prune juice, so maybe I'll get some of that as a way to wean off the lactulose when it does its job.

I would say take the lactulose to get things going and then have you tired prunes before? I find them really effective but I have to eat them everyday to see a consistent effect.

Lactulose may take a day or two to take effect but it’s a good, gentle solution. Make sure you drink a glass of water after every dose. It works by drawing water into the bowel.

Ahhhh lactulose. It is truly excellent. You can really experiment with the dose to suit.

Lactulose was great for me. I found at your stage a low dose every other day was good, then later on I'd take a large dose once or twice a week. It's not the nicest experience and I wouldn't go too far from home (lockdown makes this easier) but you'll feel so much comfier really soon

Combine it with fibregel

I once went two weeks without having a poo....I was not happy

The midwifes gave me lactulose and fibregel (I was in hospital at the time)

I think it took 3 days but it worked

You all give me great hope :) Here's to lactulose doing its thing!

Very effective. Both last pregnancy and my current one it was a life saver.

Top tip. Take it every day. Once really backed up I found it could cause painful stomach churning.

I almost made a celebratory post on here two weeks ago about how great Lactulose was! but decided it would be TMI!!

So yes, highly recommend. Stick with it though and drink plenty of water. I have 15ml after breakfast and 15ml after dinner. I also have a glass of Fybogel every day too.

Hi OP,

I hope the lactulose helps soon. I tried one dose and it worked a treat on me!
I had been drinking lot’s of water, fruit juice and generally a good diet as well alongside but it wasn’t working so the lactulose just tipped the balance. I haven’t needed any since but it’s good to know it’s there if it happens again.

Good luck!

Lactulose is my best friend at the moment, I buy 2 bottles at a time as running out was traumatic.
I take 30ml before bed every day as I get very gassy afterwards, even forgetting until the next morning throws everything off!
Consultant is more than happy with this, I intend to take it until after birth as I've heard that can be pretty unpleasant!

I had to grab some over the counter last week too! I was on day 4 of not going to the toilet. I took 15mls twice a day and a glass of prune juice on top and it worked within 48 hours. It's not a laxative as such, it won't make you just go straight away so you're safe taking the recommended amount. Good luck! Xx

@jupeBex Thanks, that's helpful to clarify. I had visions of suddenly disappearing from calls with clients with a panicked expression on my face.

Prepare yourself for god awful gas😂 it didn’t help me just gave me the most noxious arse in history.

I have been using it pretty much daily, it helps and I haven’t experienced any side effects like increased wind or anything.

It is important to drink lots of water when you are using lactulose as that’s basically how it works, it draws water into the bowel to soften stools or something like that!

Just to come back and say that lactulose is indeed manna from heaven, especially combined with some prune juice! Thanks all.

Lactulose is ace. I was so thankful for it after the birth of dd1 and had tears and cuts and numerous stitches- it made the whole ordeal a lot...erm....smoother?? 😅

Definitely getting some in ready for after having this one. Plus it doesn't taste too bad- which I was surprised at.

Sorry this is an old post but did you all take lactulose like long term (weeks or
months) and was all
ok through your pregnancies x

Yep absolutely fine! I've took it again recently during my second pregnancy to prevent constipation too xx

Thank you. I just been taking over a week and wanted to get others opinions xxx

Definitely take it after the birth too, especially if you get put on iron tablets. Big regret two years down the line 😅