Suggestions for constipation

[Rainbowsunshine81]

I have lactulose to see if that helps, but is there anything else I can do to help?

Apples always sort me out.

I had such bad constipation during my last pregnancy that my first poo post C-section was a 100 times worse than the operation. I had fecal impaction and was climbing the walls.

I am in the same boat with this pregnancy OP but I have found that lactulose every few days, wheetabix and weirdly enough cranberry juice (someone recommended it on a MN thread like this one) helps. I’ve heard dried apricots too but I haven’t tried them yet. For it to be effective I have to have wheetabix and juice everyday though. If I forget and slack I’m back to square one. Not doing the lactulose everyday as already at minor risk of GD as one of my parents has it.

best of luck OP, it’s the worst.

Fybogel

Get a can of prunes in fruit juice (sainsburys do ones without the stone) and zizz them up in a nutribullet or food processor if you don't like them whole, you can have in porridge, with yoghurt, use in baking etc. They actually work, have the equiv of 6 a day.

@HappyGoLucky31 I've been reading about fybogel, I used to like weetabix years ago, but haven't touched it in a long time, I think I might have to bite the bullet, might give the apricots a go too, I do try and drink plenty of water through the day. Don't want to really rely on the lactulose too much cause dint want to end up the other way. Thank you. X

@OldieButBaddie my mum was saying about prune juice.

Movicol if very constipated. I hated lactulose, made me retch. Otherwise eat a pear every day, always works for me!

@clarepetal I've just been reading about fybogel, I don't think I'm getting enough fibre in my diet, have to make sure I'm including more.

@Cuppachuchu I was eating apples, but then found they were giving me wind, but might try again.

@Bignanna I like pears! I'm going to get some tomorrow. I've mixed the bare amount of lactulose in some orange juice.

Actual prunes are much better as they have all the fibre in them
they also prevent osteoporosis apparently. I have them most days and if I don't for a few days I know it!

Prune juice always sorted me out though I hate the taste. And high bran x

Dr Google says occasional use of enemas is OK? However, don’t trust Dr G - ask your midwife if it would be OK. They are effective, when you’re at your wit’s end and tried everything else.

My doriens swears by prunes

Ask to get prescribed Laxido. It’s the best thing I’ve ever tried for constipation.

Fresh orange juice

I get a lot of hormonal constipation. Prune juice, lentils, dried apricots and figs (not all together) usually sort me out. The prune juice is the bomb - literally if I have too much!

@threestars Today is the first day I've used the lactulose, don't particularly like the idea of using it, so going to try alternatives. Going to speak to my midwife and ask her.

@Ilovecrispstoomuch I'm not sure I could stomach prune juice, but if I have to ill get some.

@sel2223 I've been having some orange juice to see if that helps.

@Unskilledtopiary I will ask about that, thank you.

@OldieButBaddie I've never had prunes, but may force myself to eat some.

@threestars Been reading about prunes for constipation.

@Lul00 I'm going to get some weetabix tomorrow, not a fan of cereal, but will try anything.

Prunes taste quite nice actually. They’re just dried plums.

I used big doses of docusate and fybogel, but honestly what actually helped most was getting into the second trimester and my hormones settling down/bowels starting to work again. My intestines are apparently very sensitive to progesterone (I’ve had a lot of miscarriages, and the first sign for me has always been my constipation suddenly improving).