Constipation

[Redjellybeans]

Sorry if TMI but I'm really at my wits end. 35wks pregnant and struggling so bad with chronic constipation. I've been trying to up my water even more (can't physically drink any more it's so uncomfortable), walk, up fibre intake and minimise bread/stodge. GP has prescribed glycerin suppositories and Senna and I've taken a couple here and there but trying to sort this out naturally if I can. It's making me terrified for birth. Any ideas or things that helped you? This is feeling quite serious now.. I did mention to my midwife but she didn't have much to advise.

Should also add I've been making smoothies with chia seeds, spinach, prunes... drinking prune juice, orange juice etc. Nothing seems to be working!

I was the same. Took fybogel in the end, still on them 12 weeks pp 😩

Do try and get on top of it between now and your due date if you can though. They told me I was constipated in labour despite the fact I’d been that morning..

chocolate, grapes, less bread, more fruit of any kids
root vegetables and potatoes constipate also

Magnesium supplements really help me, as well as prunes, pears and kiwis including the skin.

Honestly I would go the medical route at this stage if you've tried everything natural to no avail. Constipation in pregnancy is both hormonal, and also physical with the position of your baby disrupting your GI tract.. so there's a lot at play that is out of your control. Midwives can feel an impacted rectum during a vaginal examination and I can't tell you the number of times I've (midwife) encountered it during labour/induction on women Ive cared for. It physically inhibits baby's head from descending and can stop you progressing. Oftentimes have had to give laxatives during inductions and I can honestly say you'd be better to use them now than mid induction, not pleasant.

I had to rely on lactulose in the third trimester, and for several weeks after. Never known constipation like it.

Thank you everyone so good to know it's not just me as I was really beating myself up that I was doing something wrong. Have got hold of some lactulose today so fingers crossed that sorts me out until baby is here!

Nothing has helped me apart from natural prune tablets.
i take half of one everyday

Gentle stretches helped me.

Think I just found a yoga or pregnancy yoga video on YouTube. It helped to get things moving pretty much instantly.

Prune juice on an empty stomach in the morning
a large spoon of flax seeds on breakfast and x1 coffee - after a few days this has worked amazingly well for me now I have continued it and had no problem