Constipation (26 weeks)

[RandomCatGenerator]

Im after help with an embarrassing problem - constipation. Has anyone any remedies?

I am 26.4 with my second child. Didn’t have this problem with my first - if anything, the opposite, diarrhoea for most of my first pregnancy.

I drink lots of water and eat lots of fruit and veg!

Sorry, that’s I’m 26 weeks into this pregnancy. I haven’t suffered 26 weeks or constipation. My goodness, the thought…

Oh, and I have haemorrhoids it that’s relevant. Gosh isn’t it all so dignified.

Laxido is the only thing that worked for me.

I'm on the prune juice on the regular (31 weeks) and it does help. Failing that, I bought some Fybogel off the shelf in my local co-op which states it is safe for use in pregnancy - haven't had to use it yet fortunately!

Eat high fibre cereal, that does the trick for me. Try eating it every day for a week and see if that helps

I'm 32 weeks and have been eating Quaker golden crunch granola with yoghurt and fruit (kiwi is especially meant to help).

Kiwifruit. 3 a day worked for me.

Movicol/Laxido will work. I took it right through my second pregnancy.

2 fruit smoothies a day helped me and also a warm drink and a warm bath. I feel for you it is very uncomfortable x

I really sympathise - constipation and the frustration of not being able to go when you really need to is awful.

Try raising your feet up when you are on the toilet (e.g. put your feet on a nine pack of toilet roll). Somebody suggested it to me and, although you feel really silly doing it, it (genuinely) does help!

So, got some lactulose from the pharmacist - so far it’s given me the farts which hopefully means things are moving along inside but also means I had to move a little faster to get to the toilet than a large 27 week pregnant lady should have to!

Thank you for all the tips. They’re really appreciated.

Any suggestions on handling the haemorrhoids also much appreciated.

It’s all very sore down below currently due to my having to resort to very unpleasant tactics to get a massive poo out earlier :(

It's been a loooong time since I had my children, so I don't know if women are still given folic acid and iron supplements - but I found they gave me alternate bouts of constipation and diarrhoea.
The suggestion about putting your feet up on a pack of loo rolls is a good one, too. It's more natural to squat when doing a poo - the sitting position with western toilets causes a pinch point in the rectum making it more difficult to excrete.

@RandomCatGenerator I found the Germaloids cream very good. Have a nice bath that will also help. X

Another recommendation for Laxido here. I'm 30 weeks and suffered from 12 weeks, its been horrible! Tried fybogel and lactulose for a week each and they did nothing but give me bad gas. Only been using Laxido for a few days but it seems I'm finally sorted and it's such a relief. Tastes like drinking marker pens though.

Hmmm. Will see how I do on the lactulose for a week then, as you say, and then if it isn’t fixed will move to Laxido as strongly recommended by this thread!

on position - I already use a ‘squatty potty’ (terrible brand name) but it’s a good reminder to make sure I’m straightening my back to actually make the most of the squat position.

My midwife said the best trick with constipation is to put your feet up on a stool when your on the toilet as it helps your bowels. Apple's, brocoli and cauliflower worked for me.

With hemorrhoids use a sitz bath it helps a lot, my midwife said 3 times a day and Germaloids cream you can use 4 times a day and make sure to use after a bowel movement. Also check with your midwife first but Epsom salts help reduce them too.

My midwife said there is no need to be embarrassed, its actually very common in pregnancy due to the weight and pressure the baby puts on your nerves etc.

Hope you feel better soon :)

Lactulose is rubbish and just gives you awful wind.

Laxido/Movicol is much better. It’s a stool softener and safe for pregnancy.

Are you feeling any better today? Constipation is awful.

For the haemorrhoids my only suggestion would be to try not to sit on the toilet for too long and try not to strain.

The creams help a bit but I struggle to apply them...

Ok update - would NOT recommend lactulose. I’m not totally stuffed up with horrible, very painful trapped wind. It’s actually really very sore.

fucks sake.

*now not not

Oooooh trapped wind is so painful pregnancy is the fucking pits :( :(

Do you walk much? Only asking because I've noticed the days I'm at home all day just pottering around I don't go much, if at all that day, but after a 20 min walk to work I am usually quite desperate to use the toilet within a few hours of arriving. Gets the blood flowing and helps move things along in my experience. Doesn't have to be a fast walk for me either.
Hope you find something that helps you.

I’ll give it a go. You’re right, on WFH days it can be very sedentary.

If it makes you feel any better (or at least gives you a laugh) I was 15 minutes late for a meeting at work yesterday because I couldn't go to the toilet - oh the stress that caused me at the time - so you have my sympathy!

If you get desperate OP you can use glycerin suppositories in pregnancy. Then once that’s cleared you out a bit the Laxido should stop it happening again. You can buy them over the counter but there has been a shortage. My aunt had to buy the child’s ones and use 2 the other week as everywhere was out of stock of the adult size.
I’d ask the GP if you can use scheriproct suppositories for the hemorrhoids during pregnancy. They have steroid in so work really well.