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Pregnancy
constipation in pregnancy
nomovements · 14/05/2003 14:34
Well, this is a bit embarrassing, but I'm desperate!
I have been constipated for most of this pregnancy, (14 weeks tomorrow - not that I'm counting every minute or anything). Doc prescribed laxatives (actually more 'stool softners' than stuff to make you go iykwim) I've had some success with them, but recently none.
Earlier I had quite severe abdominal pain, so bad I really thought at one point I might be miscarrying. Now it's not so bad, ab pain-wise, but it's getting me really down. I can't remember the last time I had a decent poo. In fact I can't even re,member the last time I had one at all - 2 or 3 days ago maybe, but even then I just managed after mush time & effort a couple of rock hard bullets. Sorry this is so graphic.
I am due to go on holiday in a coupl eof days, and not due to see doc till after that (so about 2.5 weeks) and I've only got a coupl eof his sachets left.
I am drinking so much, to no effect, but it's getting opn my nerves because I have to run for a pee so frequently I feel house bound. I've tried linseeds in yoghurt, I've adoided bananas, I've tried to drink more juice & eat raw apples & carrots. No luck. I'm starting to get worried I'll de myself some damage, &/or get piles & goodness knows what.
I've searched the board, but all I could find really was stuff about young children. Is it ok to keep taking so much stuff? It isn't working, so can I just get something over the counter? (It'll be v. difficult to try & see doc before holiday) and miracle cures/ dead certs/ fab ideas out there?
Thanks as ever, so much for help.
Jaybee · 14/05/2003 15:31
I think if I were in your situation I would have a chat with a pharmacist - there are loads of things that you could take but no idea what would be suitable for during pregnancy. Natural ways I would recommend would be figs (fig biscuits or syrup of figs), liquorice, could you try drinking prune juice, eating prunes with your breakfast cereal or eating plums - I ate loads of plums during both my pregnancies - everyone put them down as a craving but it was just a conscious effort to avoid the problems you are encountering now.
WideWebWitch · 14/05/2003 15:41
Nomovements, sympathy, I had this for a short while recently (god, the things I admit here) but it's ok now, thank goodness. If you don't fancy a chat with the pharmacist what about prunes, dried apricots, lentils, granary bread and lots of water? Pulses, vegetables, fruit and water really should do the trick. I'm sure the pain is pain from needing the loo, sounds like it to me anyway. Good luck. I have lentil recipes if you need them (I don't keep them for constipation I make them because ds is veggie btw!)
Mum2Toby · 14/05/2003 15:43
How unpleasant for you. I was like this for most of my pregnancy and still get like that around the time of my period. My doc told me to buy senokot (sp?)... or something like that. It's a herbal over-the-counter 'stool softener'. Had the opposite effect though so watch out!!!!!
nomovements · 14/05/2003 17:47
www - don't suppose you've got one for Tarka Dahl? Our local indian used to do a fab one with lemon - have'nt had is for eons. Thanks so much, all. Just searched our local shop for prune juice - no luck, sorry to be awkward - dried apricots - yuk - did try it a few weeks ago & came the closest to vomming than I'd care to repeat.
i'll see if I can get to a chemist tomorrow. Haven't seen liquorice for years, do like it, so that'll be good if I can source some.
pie · 14/05/2003 18:02
You're not taking any iron supplements are you? Alot of them can make you very constipated, well more than usual when you are pregnant.
windmill · 14/05/2003 19:49
Its amazing how bad the pain can be. I was convinced I was miscarrying as I'd had constipation all my life and had mild aching with it. However I have since miscarried twice and realise now the pain of miscarrying is completely different, nowhere near as bad as the pain I got from constipation. I felt such a wimp as I always thought I was good with pain. I would be constipated for weeks and weeks and then be doubled up on and off for a few hours then have several bouts of diarrhoea.
This time round I have not been so bad as the morning sickness has only been slight so have been able to eat almost anything. At least four pieces wholemeal bread a day, jacket potato and baked beans for lunch, plenty of vegetables at night. I think bran flakes and all bran are disgusting but there is a cereal called crunchy bran which is quite tolerable. Also drink plenty of orange juice or eat oranges. Gentle exercise is good to if you can manage it
WideWebWitch · 14/05/2003 19:57
Nomovements, I haven't cooked it but there's a recipe for Tarka Dhal Here Hope it does the trick!
gingernut · 14/05/2003 20:18
I don't know whether it would be any good for you, but Fybogel is OK for use during pregnancy. You can buy it from supermarkets as well as pharmacies (either in sachets or in large tubs).
janh · 14/05/2003 21:04
I thought exercise might help too - are you living more or less normally or resting a lot? (have you been nauseated and lying about feeling desperate?)
If you are up to it, some briskish walking, a bit of bending and stretching (eg vaccing the stairs enthusiastically), trotting up and down stairs, making beds etc might make a difference.
Why are you avoiding bananas btw? I thought they had lots of fibre?
If you are taking actual iron tablets, try switching to multivits plus iron and taking them with orange juice; I always found they kept my haemoglobin just high enough without the ghastly solid black poo. (Sorry - bit graphic!)
aloha · 15/05/2003 09:46
A black coffee first thing on an empty stomach (even better with an orange or some orange juice).
mears · 15/05/2003 10:05
Lemon juice in hot water first thing in the morning works for me.
Presume you've tried bran etc. Weetabix also works for my sluggish system.
You will eventually go but it is upsetting in the meantime. Definately speak to your pharmacist. If all else fails, you could get suppositories from the doctor just to get you off to a start. Hope something works for you soon.
sprout · 15/05/2003 11:04
Four prunes a day just about does the trick for me, but at 14 weeks pg, too, I know what you mean - terrible if I forget the dreaded prunes just for one day!
pie · 15/05/2003 11:18
I have just discovered that a timely course of antibiotics will upset your stomach no end. Off too the loo again...come back constipation all is forgiven!!!
Failing that Corn on the cob goes straight through, I find.
Janeway · 15/05/2003 11:41
there's a sugar solution called lactulose that's good for keeping things moving - I got it through GP after ds was born and I was experiencing problems in that area. I think you can get it over the counter but you may wish to take advantage of your free prescriptions
nomovements · 15/05/2003 11:52
Thanks all - I'm not taking any specific iron supplements, only Sanatogen prenatal or whatever it's called. It does have iron in.
I am definitely NOT resting - rushing round like the proverbial blue arsed fly, esp w. holiday coming up - so much to do.
I've avoiding bananas because I read they can cause/exacerbate constipation & I found this to be true for mine kids when they were babies.
I'll try lentil something or other for dinner tonight, - thanks for the recipe, www
I'll definitely try the lemon in water too, as I quite like this drink & had it a lot in winter, haven't unfortunatley been able to stand coffee since 1st pregnancy, though I remember that worked for me. Lots of good ideas here. Didn't have a good night - starting to feel very uncomfortable. Sorry to be gross.
mears · 15/05/2003 13:12
Stop the sanatogen for a while - the iron in it could be enough to cause you problems. It is not necessary to take routine supplements except folic acid until 3 months.
LizC · 15/05/2003 13:24
I had terrible constipation while I was pregnant and had to think about exactly what I ate every day. Also stopped taking sanatagen tablets as they have huge amounts of iron - switched to I think a boots own pregnancy multivitamin, having checked that there was no more than the normal daily allowance of iron - that made quite a difference in itself. Haven't got much time now, but will come back later - my doctor gave me a chart listing exactly how much fibre was in every type of fruit and veg and cereal etc. and recommended I try and aim at I think 30mg per day. I'll see if I can find it, hope I haven't thrown it away - if I can I'll post details later. Using that as a guide and consciously trying to drink 2-3 litres of water a day helped, but I know what you mean about rushing to the loo every 5 mins, only works if you're not going out.
Essie · 15/05/2003 17:54
This is probably bad advice, but I was abit bunged up to say the least with baby number 2 and I just ate raisins and grapes in HUGE quantites! It worked, and my baby was fine!!!
nomovements · 15/05/2003 19:28
Thanks, I spoke to a pharmasist todat, - I must have found the most cautious one in town, cos she warned me not go go too crazy with even liquorice as it was so powerful and said in pregnancy this was v.v. difficult to deal with! I was worrying about stopping taking the Senatogen, as it's my only vit/source of folic acid & won't be able to get another till after hols. Good tip about Boots own though, thanks, and LizC, that'd be good if you can find that list!
Thanks so much - it really helps to even have someone to talk to plainly about it - it's a bit embarrassing after all. Anyway, feeling a bit better (iykwim!)
SoupDragon · 15/05/2003 19:30
Bran muffins. I made & ate loads of these and had no problems. They were delicious too with lots of mixed spice and raisins.
sparkle · 15/05/2003 20:39
Try eating 1-2 pears a day - great for soluble fibre and might just get things moving.
AlisonG · 15/05/2003 22:09
I found raisins were brilliantly effective. Much better than water.
mears · 15/05/2003 23:38
Nomovements - you technically don't need folic acid any more but if you wanted to continue it on it's own you would be able to get it in Boots.
I would definately recommend stopping the sanatogen just now - at least until you have a really good clear out
nmd · 16/05/2003 10:29
With both pregnancies I found only boots syrup of figs worked, though after a few months the pharmacist made me check with my doctor who said it was absolutely fine to keep taking. Horrible!!!
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