How to prevent constipation again!

[Rose1247]

Hi

I’m 28 weeks pregnant and had horrendous constipation this week. It’s not something I usually suffer with, especially not that bad. I do have IBS but don’t tend to get too constipated. Managed to finally clear it with fybogel, lactulose, glycerin suppositories, prune juice etc. but now wondering how to prevent it going forwards! My gp prescribed 15ml of lactulose twice a day to clear it but he didn’t say how long for or anything about how not to get so bad again. He just showed me an nhs site about healthy eating in pregnancy. Would you recommend to keep taking the lactulose or fybogel for a few days or lower the dose? Thanks.

Keep taking the lactulose. It won't do any harm.
Have porridge for breakfast, chuck in a couple of prunes.
Eat oranges, bananas, satsumas, lots of veg.
Drink loads of fluid.
Walk as much as possible.

I changed my diet recently and got terribly constipated - I was using suppository but I read they are only for short term use. I used lactulose a couple of times but it makes me gag.
I now have prunes twice a day - around 5 and it’s helped to get my bowels back in working order. I also wasn’t drinking enough fluids so have increased my water consumption - good luck.

If you find that stools are a bit loose, reduce the amount of lactulose very gradually.

Lactulose lots of it!! It’s just sugar solution and will help. Got given the same advice by doctor. But I doubled up as 15ml did nothing.

Probiotics really help to set digestion. I'd try taking them regularly and see how it goes

Thank you for the ideas! I don’t mind the taste of lactulose so that’s ok 🙂. I might need to go easier on it though because of ibs. It’s made me go the other way this morning, but scared to get so constipated again. Definitely need to keep drinking more!

Movicol is also a good alternative that you can get over the counter from a pharmacist.
Avoid eggs and red meat (make sure you're getting iron in other ways from green veg)

Honestly Allbran Kellogg's cereal makes you go EVERY SINGLE DAY. It's the stuff of miracles. The cereal isn't cheap but worth it. Just make sure to eat a decent size bowl every morning and you'll be good.

1000% this. I'm prone to constipation, Branflakes every morning/evening fixes things permanently.

I’ve taken lactulose a couple of times a week since about 10 weeks, it doesn’t make the constipation go away but it’s unbearable without it! I found it gave me really intense cramps taking it everyday tho but still couldn’t go, can’t win!🤣

Yes, I’ve had cramps and a grumbly tummy and bad wind unfortunately! Although I have been having lots of other fibre too so could be a combination!

Looks like I need some bran flakes and all bran! I’ve got some shreddies as recommended by a midwife. I’ve been eating weetabix for weeks but clearly has stopped working this week.

There are two types of laxatives. Either a stool softener or to stimulate the bowel.
Docusate is a good one to use to soften as it's just tablets taken throughout the day.
Senna is a stimulant, natural and in tablet form. Taken both together worked for me.

Fybogel is effective but you need to drink a lot of water with it. It needs large amounts of water to bulk out a stool to help move it.

A good healthy diet rich is fibre always help too.
Good luck op, constipation in pregnancy is the worse!

Chia seeds, prunes, kiwi with the skin on, bran flakes - all help me! Been taking 15ml Lactoluse as well each day. I used to take Senna but NHS website said it should be last resort in pregnancy. Going for a walk helps me to

Thanks everyone! Lots of things to try 😊 probably tmi but it’s more the other way now, but I definitely don’t want to be back in that much pain again so will keep up with lots of fibre.