Constipation and lactulose

[Mini1977]

A bit TMI but really need help and reassurance!

Currently 29 weeks pregnant!
Have been extremely constipated since sunday, my body is trying to push out what is stuck but the pain is extremely unbearable and its not budging. Three of these days ive also had a lot of blood in what little poo i manage to get out, not sure if its piles or anal fishers.

Spoke to midwife today who has advised to take lactulose so i got some from pharmacy and started on 45ml.

How quickly will this work as I am desperate to feel normal?

Also will it hurt when its time to come out? I think because how painful it is to attempt to do it, its put me off even attempting to go which obv doesn't help the situation.

Will be happy to go when I feel I need to, as long as I know im not going to have to endure the extreme pain that comes along with it.

Any advise will be great appreciated 😓

Top tip: glycerin suppository to shift the main blockage.

Then regular Movicol or lactulose to keep things moving.

All safe in pregnancy

When you do try, press on the bit of skin between your vagina and anus. (Perineum?) Anyway, if you massage it as you push it might help (saved me when I was post partum stuck!)
Hope it works soon! Constipation is awful.

@Hulp13duyu1 would this be ok if there is piles/fishers?

@WhyArePiratesCalledPiratessss I have been trying to dislodge with gloves, did try the pressing technique but was pushing the wrong area. Will try this although im apprehensive to go again because the pain is just so bad. Thank you!

Also just to add on the midwife recommended I eat something that I know makes me go. Which is buldak noodles but again im scared to eat these in the event that the blockage doesn't dislodge because the noodles give me bad tummy ache and diarrhea.

Lactulose is meant to help soften your stool rather than make you go, its not a laxative.
Its better not to have laxatives, they can dehydrate you, which is why you've been given lactulose.

Branflakes, plenty of water, whatever else that usually helps you go, lactulose can take a couple of days to help!

Can't see why not, it's got to come out and I don't believe lactulose softens what's already there (hardened).
Probably not going to be pleasant whichever method you go for, pregnancy is fab ain't it!!!!

@LER2023 completely get this, just thinking that lactulose is supposed to soften from top to bottom but the blockage is literally at the bottom so wondering if it will be effective.

@Hulp13duyu1 im going to give it a bash if I can find any. Im super uncomfortable and worried about waiting for the lactulose to work over the next few days for it not to actually work and then have to wait longer to get an app to be given something else. Oh isnt it just 😭 apparently its been caused by my one and only craving of cows milk so on top of feeling uncomfortable and in pain i cant even quench the craving 🙃

Get a glycerin suppository as suggested above. They work v well

Good luck. Constipation is horrible.

The suppository gives you the urge to go but also kind of lubricates what has to come out. I would have already given it a try by now if I were you!

Ignore this, laxatives do not dehydrate you.

it is better to treat constipation and avoid pain, trauma and piles.

movicol is better as it softens the stools, lactulose is largely ineffective and merely coats the stool in oil

Ok so ive just went and purchased glycerin suppositories and it says on the back "Gylcerin suppositories should not be used in pregnancy unless the doctor has told you to do so"
Which obv isnt the case, will this still be ok? When goggling it said not recommend in first trimester but im 29 weeks so we'll past that stage.

I checked with my gynaecologist and my midwife and both said no problem. Obviously as above, better to stay on top of things with diet and movicol etc, but you need these in this situation!

At my booking appointment the midwives recommended the Bumps website to check medications. Based on this leaflet I would feel comfortable talking the Glycerin suppositories: https://www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/leaflets-a-z/glycerin-suppositories/
But you might read it and feel differently.

I have Lactulose on prescription as long term user because of the drugs I take.

Couple of tips to make it work :

1. Drink about 8-9 glasses of water or other liquid during the day
2. When you go to the loo put your feet up on a small stool ( forgive the pun !)

Took the suppository, managed to hold off for 15 minutes then I had to go, did manage to get some out (TMI) my body just done its own thing and strained so bad I thought I was going to throw up. Although some came out it defos isnt all of it 😓.

I have obviously already taken 45ml of the lactulose so do I now just wait till tomorrow?

Similar to putting your feet up a bit it can help to rock forward and back while you sit on the toilet. Looks absolutely ridiculous but the movement helps a bit to get things moving!
Walking can help too but more as a preventative.

And lots of water!

Because of the meds my mum has she has Laxido which she found more effective than lactose. It softens things up (do drink plenty of water too). Can be bought from chemist without prescription.

Food like tinned pears, raspberries, grapes can be very helpful too. I’ve also found peppermint tea is helpful both for trapped wind and constipation.
Soaked Chia Seeds with some yoghurt is a good source of fibre too.