Constipation, pregnancy & IBS

[Sallypoo]

Hi all

I am pregnant with my second baby (15 wks) and I'm suffering terrible constipation.

This is odd for me as I usually have the opposite problem due to irritable bowel!

I have been trying to be good, and so have been having museli for breakfast and two or three peices of fruit a day. Usually avoid the fruit... but have plenty of veg. The result is very unconfortable!

I would really like to carry on eating the fruit, and so wondered if anyone else has found a way of keeping this amount of fibre in their diets? while having IBS?

I drink about 6 - 10 cups of water a day, no caffine bar one cup of tea in the morning. No non-soluble fibre really as this usually makes me very bloated....

Many thanks
Sallypoo

try probotic yoghurts like actimel?

Love your name!

I have mild IBS and have actually been mostly fine in pregnancy but the last trimester I have had quite bad trapped wind pains (scaring me no end that labour was imminent!)

The only advice I can give is... porridge, that helps me loads and yoghurt helps a bit too, especially activia.

I am now at the end (37+6) and have been on iron tabs but have come off those on the midwife's advice as they make constipation so much worse and she said that at this stage I should avoid constipation, but if you are prescribed iron don't stop taking it because of constipation or at least not until the end/under medical advice.

Hi Sallypoo (good name, given the circumstances!) - as an on/off IBS sufferer myself, you have my sympathy. Sounds like you're already doing the right things, but it's all a bit trial and error and everyone's physiology is different.

I find French onion soup an amazing loosener.

I would suggest trying dried fruits, especially things like figs, but they may cause uncomfortable bloating, so be cautious.

Big beans can also be bad for bloating, but smaller pulses like lentils may help you (Indian dals maybe worth a try)

Apparently, it's better to avoid raw veg in winter time if your digestive system is a bit sensitive, so it might be worth laying off salads (not that this weather makes them that desirable anyway!)

Also, it may be that your digestion has become sensitive to certain things you were okay with before because of the unpredictable effects of pregnancy hormones. For example, it might be worth avoiding wheat-based things just to see if that makes any difference to you.

MumNW's suggestion is a good one - you could also try eating kefir, which is another cultured milk product not unlike yoghurt, but even more packed with helpful bacteria - that's supposed to be good for helping GI systems to get back on track.

Hi

It was my cat's name! Yoghurt, that would be good I'm sure... that always gives me the runs! I'll get straight on it.

Porridge / museli (oats only) has always been my saviour but since being pregnant it's not worked...

But the yoghurt, that is well worth a try, as long as I can keep it down...

Thanks so much, I'll let you know how I get on!

SP

That reminds me, if you're on iron supplements (and they are notorious for causing constipation, as fc said) you could try taking it in the form of Floradix (available from most health food stores) - many people find it easier to digest.

Probiotic yoghurt drinks, increased water intake and a serving spoon of linseeds on my breakfast every morning did the trick for me.

Have also noticed (pregnant or not) that a cafe latte always seems to get me going, like. There are worse-tasting laxatives than that.

Hope it sorts itself out.

Glycerol suppositories help to lubricate if things are very, well, stuck IYSWIM.

Yep, Floradix is a life saver and I have been taking it over the past three months of pregnancy with no digestive problems. All the above advice re: constipation is fab: I would just add my tip - LINESEED!! Marvellous if you take one or two spoons with lots of water and/or yoghurt for breakfast and not expensive at all. I think I shall be stocking up on more for post-birth pooing difficulties.

Whoops, meant LINSEED!

Hi, my sympathies. I have a terrible IBS and it has been pretty bad during pregnancy
I suffer from the opposite, but when I'm constipated I usually have prunes and then drink some hot water, first thing in the morning.
Hope it helps!

Hi all

Well I went to M&S yesterday lunchtime and bought my first probiotic yoghurt.

I was much releived by the end of the working day .

Someone at work recommended Linseed too, so have put that on the shopping order and will be using as of Sunday!

I had chilli for dinner last night and that sorted out any remaining errr disconfort this morning!!!

My husband swears by coffee for keeping him regular but I can't stand it, and it gives me an instant migraine now....

Will keep the Floradix in my but as I usually have the runs due to my IBS don't really want to resort to that unless desperate.

Many thanks for all your advice. I shall be having my yoghurt & Linseed daily now.

Sallypoo