Constipation 32 weeks pregnant feeling fed up

[nervesonmynerves]

Hi everyone,

Sorry for TMI… can’t discuss with anyone in real life as it’s embarrassing so hopefully you lovely lot can help me out.

Normally have 1-2 bms a day and it’s usually on the softer side but since Tuesday evening basically been having rabbit poo… I am using the bathroom 2-3 times a day, in the mornings it’s soft but not like the normal amount and in the evenings it’s back to the hard lumps.

I have tried:

• Plenty of water so much so I’m almost peeing myself throughout the day
• Prunes (before 1-2 prunes would do the trick if I ever felt a bit bunged up now I’m on 5 a day and not much is happening
• Been using a stool to lift myself up in a better position (been doing this for years)
• Started 30ml of lactulose a day since Friday- worked wonders for me after a c section 4 years ago but this time around I’m not feeling that relief
• Foods that normally give me the runs- porridge, takeaways, spicy food etc
• Syrup of Figs

Kind of at a loss now and I do have health anxiety so I am starting to feel a bit panicky and thinking about worst case scenario etc. I did order some Movicol from Amazon but in two minds whether I should speak to GP/Midwife first before taking it?

I am thankful I’m able to pass something everyday but it just doesn’t feel like anywhere near the normal amount and I’m not feeling completely empty either.

Please tell me I’m not the only one dealing with this.

Movicol should do the job - just make sure you make it up with the right amount of water as it won't work without enough water. Hope you're pooping again soon!

Fybogel can be taken daily during pregnancy and works well.
20g of chia seeds stirred in water and quickly downed before they swell works well overnight.
2 kiwi fruit a day (including skins) is proven to help constipation.
Red split lentils in your meal (bol, curry, soup or whatever) are great.
5 dates per day work.

Never found prunes to be of help myself.

Movicol is fine to take.

A glycerine suppository will also get things unblocked and is safe (doesn't cause cramping). Then carry on with movicol, maybe 2 sachets a day?

Thank you for your replies. I haven’t taken any lactulose today and think I will try a Movicol sachet before bed? Never had it before- does it take a while to work?

Also suppositories- do I need a doctor to prescribe them? Thanks so much.

Glycerol suppositories either off the shelf or over the counter, no prescription needed. (Pharmacists can refuse things to pregnant women so I guess it depends on the pharmacist/your bump. Or get someone to get it or say it's for someone else)
Movicol is a stool softener so doesn't work instantly. I'd take one tonight and another tomorrow, and use a suppository tmrw.

*and keep taking movicol regularly
It'll help after birth too 😩