Constipation

[crabcakesalad]

I'm sure there have been a million threads on this but the search function is not working for me :(

Please suggest things that have helped you, I'm so miserable 😭

My GP prescribing Laxido / Movicol is the only thing that has worked for me. I'm 33 weeks now and have been taking it since 16 ish weeks. Definitely call your GP!

You can buy Lactulose over the counter, drink it daily! Also prune juice is very good. They're not instant laxatives and take 1-2 days to get in your system but keep taking them everyday xx

How far along are you? I've suffered from constipation and bad bloating throughout most of the first trimester when feeling nauseous - most things I ate were just carbs, and I couldn't stand vegetables, especially fresh ones. As nausea eased and I started eating again plenty of veg, fruit and pulses, constipation is gone. x

Prune juice.

3rd trim. I can try prune juice ick 😬
I'm not sure I want to go down the medicines route. :(

A big bowl of bran flakes every morning and lactulose before bed worked for me. Make sure you’re drinking enough water, I aimed for 3 litres a day.

Glycerol suppositories. Gives me instant relief and it isn't really a medicine because it isn't absorbed into your system.

I eat lots of fruit and veg. I started an elimination diet just before I realised I was pregnant and that was mainly veg soups and fruit smoothies for a couple of days to detox before starting to reintroduce things. I relaxed it back once I found out I was pregnant, but veg-based soup and fruit smoothies certainly cleared out my insides. You need more fibre basically.

Also really struggling! 1st trimester. Cramps are unbearable at times, currently trying fybogel and every fruit and veg I can stomach but still so uncomfortable! :(

Stewed fruit, cooked veg, oranges, figs, prunes. Lactulose and loads of water. Porridge. Glycerine suppositories. Movicol is fine as long as you can stomach it.
I would avoid bran and weetabix because pregnancy really slows down the motility of your gut and relaxes everything, so you can end up with a large, very hard rock that is painful to pass.

Lactulose is the only thing that has worked for me, bought it at Asda pharmacy and it changed my life. I couldn’t poo for over three weeks and that finally moved it!

big bowl of kelloggs all bran and lots of water - my absolute fail safe. I'm pregnant now and on iron tablets and all bran is keeping me very regular! chuck in some fruit too for even more fibre.

@crabcakesalad how are you doing?

I feel for you - this has been the story of my entire pregnancy. I had a thread and had some
Good advice/support when I was at my lowest.

It's "just" constipation... www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/4536976-its-just-constipation

Ultimately there is so little data on what to do for pregnant women. I know you said you were unkeen on medication, so was I, but it's been necessary for me to function in anyway. There are things such as glycerin suppositories that have no effect on baby (many oral meds are thought to be safe too you may just need monitored depending on what you take) if you bear to use them.

Hi, thank you for all these. Actually things have improved quite a bit. I've gone all out on a diet change.
Stopped taking pregnacare because my iron is fine and now taking just folic acid. Drank loads of prune juice which was gross but did clear the painful blockage.

Now I'm all out with diet - loads of veg plus lentils plus chic peas. Lots of water and so far so good. Although extra effort in cooking. 🤞 I can continue like this as not long to go!