Pregnancy constipation.

[salemcooper]

It's happening. My last pregnancy I had the opposite problem so am not prepared.

Any suggestions on non-drug methods to ease the constipation? I'm not 100% against using laxatives but would
Prefer natural methods first.

Thanks!

Large flask of water - drink by lunchtime, fill again and drink by dinner time.

Prunes?! Either dried or those prune purée sachets, I think they might be a toddler snack but they would work. You could add either to porridge or other breakfast cereals in the morning.

Stay away from white bread and white pasta

Thanks @Newbie887 I'm already eating 5 prunes a day but the water thing I'm going to start. Really bad at remembering to drink and yesterday was particularly bad, I don't think I drank anything that wasn't decaf coffee of mocktails!

I lived on lactulose with both pregnancies. I’m not sure if you consider that a drug method as it’s essentially and indigestible sugar that works by drawing water into the bowel.

Reassess your supplements. Take iron separately.

Another vote for lactulose - nothing else worked for me, medicine wise it’s pretty gentle and most recommended by doctors for pregnant women, and totally worth it for me to avoid the discomfort (and potential piles!) of constipation! It’s a synthetic sugar that breaks down in your bowels so very little gets into your bloodstream - to me about as natural as a medicine can be.

Thanks @Peekingovertheparapet and @BigHeartyTruffle I've just looked up lactulose on NHS and looks like it's a pretty good bet (and safe during pregnancy). I've just gone out and stocked up on vegetables, prunes, beans and lentils and will see how that goes for a few days but if there's no relief then lactulose it is!

I’ve been trying to up my fibre intake, but it’s only since taking something called Fybogel that I’ve managed to improve the situation.

Prunes really helped me. And decaf coffee.

I have the worst pregnancy constipation, to the point it made me spit around 7-8 weeks. I've suffered with chronic constipation most of my life, but it just ramps up so much in pregnancy.

I've found I can manage going every 2-3 days on the following regime:

• 2-3 litres of water a day, no exceptions
• 5-7 fresh fruit and veg a day (grapes, plums, kiwis and sweetcorn work best)
• 2 table spoons of Lactulose a day
• 1-2 psyllium husk capsules a day

If I miss a single day, I'm in trouble. It's hard when battling both food and drink aversions, but the alternative is just not worth it. Good luck!

Sorry, that should say spot* above, not spit. I can't edit it!

Prune juice and plenty of water.

A decent spoon of flaxseeds every morning without fail alongside prune juice. I have suffered so badly with it this and this is the only thing I found that helped, it did take a few days to start working
also cups of hot water