Constipation during pregnancy.

[Ceebeebee87]

Hey everyone,

I have really bad constipation I haven’t been properly for about a week. My gp prescribed me suppositories today but they won’t be in until Monday. I can’t wait until then I’ve tried everything else; oral laxatives, changes positions and I eat a pretty balanced diet.
The issue is the stool is so hard and won’t come out and I think my only option
left is suppositories. Are glycerin suppositories safe to use in the first trimester. I’ve been given conflicting information.

Let me know if you have any other tricks although I’m sure I’ve tired them. 🤣

I would think that only the glycerine suppositories would work now. You've got to get the hard bit out, the rest behind will probably be ok if you've been taking laxatives and all the usual remedies. (But I don't know if it's safe for first trimester. Try looking up Emily Oster's advice?)

Once you pass it though the only thing I found that worked was lactulose daily to stay on top of it. My diet was fine too, it's just that my bowel sort of stopped moving things along.
The joys of pregnancy eh?

Go for a gentle swim as it lifts the weight off and help gets things moving 😄

I’ve suffered throughout this pregnancy, now third trimester, recently started eating activia yoghurts every day and it’s definitely made a massive difference

I used a suppository in early pregnancy as got so desperate, I actually bought mine over the counter. Just didn't disclose I was pregnant ☺️

I find it very hard to take things like lactulose/movicol so I asked GP to prescribe me a tablet for constipation. I didn't get round to using it in the end.

Btw does your vitamins contain magnesium? Apparently that really helps to her things moving. I think some contain 150mg so I'm gonna try that if I get constipated again. It was awful in 1at trimester.

3rd pregnancy and its been my worst symptom in all of them.

Ideally you want to alter your diet to keep things moving the natural way, I didn't want to be taking any more medication for 8 months if I really didn't have to. Also your bowel can become lazy if you rely on medication.

So my tips for a better diet would be;

• Prune juice. This is the BEST way, and I find it more effective and easier to consume than eating actual prunes. I don't like the taste of either! In the morning on an empty stomach, drink a glass of water and a tumbler sized glass of prune juice. I wash mouthfuls of the juice down with water so the taste doesn't linger in my mouth any longer than it has to. If you have a period where you think you're getting constipated again, do this again in the afternoon/evening. But I find if I have it under control, once a day is enough
• water water and more water. Drink as much as you can throughout the day
• chia seeds - top your cereal with these
• all bran cereal - this is hands down the best breakfast for fibre content. Just take a look at the grams next time you are in the supermarket

I'm 6 months into my last pregnancy and I can't blooming wait to never have to drink prune juice ever again!!!

A kiwi at breakfast and dinner every day. Figs and avocados also good. Also kefir.

Definitely try prune juice!

Prune juice, orange juice and grapes. A hot bath helped me as well!

Also
oat bran
whole linseed
psyllium husk

As I think a PP has mentioned upthread, glycerin supps can be bought OTC.
Califig syrup is your friend, and laxido mixed with orange juice so you can’t taste it sipped slowly over the course of the day to keep things moving along

Not a doctor but a quick google seems to suggest glycerin suppositories are fine during pregnancy.

I sympathise, it’s awful. If you’re blocked though lactulose etc won’t help, you need to get the hard blockage out. Try a suppository - and also fingers can help…..

Don’t do all the prune ideas as loads of soft poo above hard poo will not end well…

You can buy glycerin suppositories in any chemist or pharmacy. If you can get someone to buy them for you, you won't have to have an argument in the shop.

Hi everyone. Thanks so much for your replies and all of the advice. I am pleased to say I went for the suppositories and about 24 hours later I finally feel completely relieved albeit a bit sore. I will be taking on board your advice now so I can avoid it again. But in this case it was definitely a hard poo that needed to come out and no amount of lactulose could shift it.
Im looking forward to a good nights sleep now. Thanks again all x

Ah the joy!!!

I'm glad you got some relief. I was going to suggest a squatty potty, or anything to raise your feet up. It really straightens the bowel and makes it easier to poo.