Constipation...

[OnNaturesCourse]

So for the past month EVERYTHING has slowed down to the point now where I went a week with nothing and got droppings...

My bump started getting a bit tender sometimes as well.

GP has advised constipation and bump discomfort is likely that too.

Baby moving etc fine. Actually bump tender spot can either flare up or get more comfortable depending on how baby is lying or moving.

GP has given lactulose 15ml x 3 a day.

I have taken the first two doses today and the discomfort in my tummy and bump is getting quite worse. Feels very bloated and tight, like there is no more room to give but the pressure inside is building. It has flared up my heartburn as well and made me very gassy.

Tender spot on bump is right sided in line with my belly button, about 4 finger spaces down from my last rib and is traveling/pulling at my lower right flank on that side now too.

Does this all sound like pregnancy constipation? I've never know the discomfort to be more of a kid section discomfort than a low one.

What else can help?

Not the nicest but try glycerine suppositories…if there’s a “blockage” that will help to clear it. The lactulose just acts as a softener but won’t necessarily get everything moving

The GP did mention those, but suggested I wait the weekend and see what happens. If nothing then I can phone and get them 😭 but I'm tempted to just get some myself - do you know where I can purchase them?

you can get them from any pharmacy, don’t need a prescription for them I think

Lactulose makes you bloat terribly. Have you tried nature's remedies? Prune juice, beetroot juice, dried apricots, and litres of water..? I've never really known these not work for anyone.

I have not, but to be honest the thought of them makes me gag. I am extremely sensative to texture and taste anyway but in pregnancy with my sickness it's 100x worse. I threw up even trying to get the lactulose in this morning.

I'm drinking about 3L water a day give or take now, but for the past few weeks I have been allowing myself to get a bit dehydrated stupidly just because I've been feeling so lowsy.

I understand, (pregnant too) but if you can hold your nose and get a glass of beetroot juice down, or even the chocolate covered dried apricots which are a nice snack, you'll get moving again, feel better, and avoid the lactulose bloat.

And can't stress how important the water is. I struggle with tap water but bought a home filter tank, such a good investment, or try a nice refrigerated big bottle of Evian.

Or if you find it easier, a nice teapot (lots of Pukka herbal teas are caffeine free / fine for pregnancy) as obv warm water is even better for moving stomach (for some reason I can't tolerate herbal tea since being pregnant though..)

I'm grand with water - and really like hot/warm water strangely so I will keep that up.

I've been super super gassy since posting this and I'm passing it at a crazy rate yet the discomfort from bloat is still there. Poor DH coming home soon and I've had to light a few candles and open the windows 😳😳😳

There's been movement. Not a lot but soft. Stomach still super noisy and gassy. How long do you usually take lactulose for?

I really feel for you Op, my bowels always slow a lot during pregnancy, but I suffer more with bloating/trapped wind and it's miserable. I would check with your doctor how long you need to use it for, it could be until you've had a proper bowel movement or until the end of the pregnancy but it's better to check.

Thanks. I'll continue it over the weekend and try get a hold of the GP on Monday.