constipation in pregnancy

[nomovements]

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.

Thanks all - dh laughed when he got home last night & found the kitchen worktop covered in figs, liquorice, bran .... I'll try not to over-do it, but doesn't seem to be any danger of that so far!

I had a big dinner of lentils last night - haven't had them for ages - was supposed to be tarka dhal, but couldn't be bothered to wait to fry onions & garlic! Still nice though.

Thanks as well mears - I might just not pack them if you're sure it's ok.

Still haven't found that list of high fibre foods yet, but from memory the highest things were all bran for cereal, kidney beans and baked beans. I did eat all bran as I like bran flakes anyway, so didn't find this too hard, but did mix it with other cereals to make it more palatable. Can't remember what other cereals were like except that corn flakes have virtually no fibre at all. Not terribly helpful, I know. Will have another look for the list.

Soupdragon's tip on bran muffins is definitely the best way to eat bran, really delicious warm with butter, can get you a receipe if you like. Making me want to make some now just thinking about it...

I am 26 weeks and really constipated, with the added joy of piles as well. Didn't get them at all with my first. I eat lots of everything that people have suggested (veggie diet - lots of lentils and beans) and have been drinking gallons of water. Eventually the GP has prescribed me "Lactulose" Only been on it 2 days but it seems to be helping. The added advantage is that you don't have to pay for it!!

Found the list, here goes...

All bran - medium sized bowl (40g) 9.8g
Bran buds - "" 8.0g
Muesli - "" 6.2g
Bran flakes "" 5.2g
Muesli swiss style - "" 5.1g
Shredded wheat - "" 3.9g
Weetabix - 2 weetabix 3.9g
Shreddies - medium bowl 3.8g
Fruit 'n' fibre - "" 2.8g
cornflakes - "" 0.4g

4 rye crispbreads 4.2g
2 slices wholemeal bread 4.1g
2 slices granary 3.0g
2 slices brown bread 2.5g
2 slices white bread 1.1g

half a can of red kidney beans (200g)12.4g
half a can of baked beans (200g) 7.6g
medium jacket potato (300g) 4.2g
4 tablespoons peas (80g) 4.1g
4 tablespoons french beans (100g) 4.1g
3 tablespoons brussel sprouts (100g) 3.1g
1 medium sized onion fried in oil (100g) 3.1g
2 tablespoons broccolli (75g) 2.3g
3 tablespoons carrots (75g) 1.9g
3 tablespoons spinach (120g) 1.9g

1 medium pear (with skin)(150g) 3.6g
half medium avocado (100g) 3.4g
medium apple with skin (150g) 3.1g
medium orange (160g) 2.7g
medium banana (200g) 2.2g
medium peach with skin (110g) 1.7g
2 tablespoons raspberries (60g) 1.5g
3 tablespoons strawberries (100g) 1.1g

5 dried apricots (75g) 5.8g
5 dried prunes (75g) 4.9g
1 tablespoon almonds (25g) 1.9g
1 tablespoon peanuts (25g) 1.6g
1 tablespoon mixed nuts (25g) 1.5g
1 tablespoon mixed nuts and raisins (25g) 1.1g
1 tablespoon brazil nuts (25g) 1.1g
1 tablespoon raisins (25g) 0.5g

100g quorn 4.8g
fried spinach pakora (50g) 3.5g
fried onion pakora (50g) 2.8g
low fat potato crisps (35g) 2.2g

That's it! According to the sheet you should eat at least one fibre rich food at every meal and should aim at 18-30g of fibre per day.

Happy eating!

Aaah - the things they never tell you about pregnancy... I didn't go for WEEKS, and was getting quite desperate, like you sound... My friends were convinced I wasn't having a baby afterall, and I would finally pass a 7 lb poo!

I drank loads, ate prunes every morning, drank fybrogel, and still nothing.

In the end it was lactulose and a glycerine suppository that got things moving for me. Stool softners are no good if you are already blocked IYKWIM. And so the suppository (normally not a pleasant experience, but quite a relief I can tell you) unblocks, and lactulose helps soften everything else. Lactulose importantly is NOT absorbed by the body, and so can be taken safely in pregnancy.

So get down to the docs, and ask for them both, and you'll feel so much better...

My top tip would be kiwi fruit - I ate two a day throughout my pregnancies and they kept me going!

(I also found porridge first thing really good.)