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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Constipation Remedies - what did the Doc recommend?

28 replies

ohgoonthen · 31/03/2010 19:47

Hi all,

I've been suffering with very bad constipation for the past 2 weeks and I have to do something about it! I've tried everything I can think of but nothing is working . Can't get an appointment with my doc. here over the Easter holidays unless I go in as an emergency which will cost a bloomin fortune so just wondering what is safe to take.
Went to the chemist and he gave me Ortisan which contains Figs, Senna and Tamarinds. It does say on the box not to use during pregnancy without medical advice but the Pharmacist says as long as I am over 3 months it's fine (I'm 15 weeks). Still a bit iffy about it though but desperate! Would one or two doses do any harm or should I stay well away?

OP posts:

blackcurrants · 31/03/2010 19:52

Oh, bad luck! I didn't see doc so I'm afraid that I don't know the answer to your question - wanted to bump this a bit, maybe someone will know.

I was lucky because a selection of prunes, kiwifruit, dried apricots, bananas, all-bran and all the water I could bear to drink worked for me. Oh, and a tsp of olive oil can also get things moving if you're not getting any oil in your diet. Hope you get some good advice soon...

Hevster · 31/03/2010 19:55

no idea if you should take it or not but a bowl of all bran a day really helped me out when nothing else would, it is about 27% fibre whereas other breakfast cereals contain loads less, worth a try if you haven't already

Dumbledoresgirl · 31/03/2010 19:57

I used lactulose through all of my pregnancies. Horrid sickly sweet stuff, not sure it did any good, but it is perfectly safe to use and you can buy it over the counter. (or get a prescription for it from the GP which would be better as then it would be free).

Montifer · 31/03/2010 20:04

My GP recommended orange juice with bits in, freshly squeezed if possible and making sure you are really well hydrated.

I also found All Bran and banana (with the large glass of OJ) helped.

Failing that Fibre sure powder dissolved into a hot drink is good, no taste or texture at all IME.

Original poster

ohgoonthen · 31/03/2010 20:20

Thanks everyone,

Will see if I can get some Lactulose or something similar and look out for some Fibre powder too!
I eat loads of fruit anyway so I don't think it's making any difference at all and if I see anymore Allbran I think i'll cry!
Will carry on munching prunes and washing them down with loads of OJ!
If nothing works, I reckon I'm bound to explode at some point

OP posts:

Dumbledoresgirl · 31/03/2010 20:29

Just want to add: as I understand it, lactulose doesn't make you go like the senna related things you can take. It simply softens what is going to come out and supposedly makes it easier to push it out. So it might not be the answer you are looking for.

MooseyMoo · 31/03/2010 21:23

I was recommended to buy some tinned pears in syrup (not fruit juice). The syrup softens the stool and worked a treat.

heather1980 · 31/03/2010 21:32

you can take senna safely in the 2nd trimester, it's not recommended in the 3rd as it may cause uterine contractions. you can also take fybogel, lactulose and Bisacodyl.
if you get very desparate you can also use glycerine suppositories.
from here

cinnamongreyhound · 31/03/2010 21:39

Drink a lot! I increased my water intake and it helped a lot. If I have a day when I'm too lazy/busy to drink 8+ glasses of water a day I suffer a few days later. Almost got the point of trying lactulose but went the next morning, that was after 6 days. I have never been constipated before even in my first pregnancy so I was really miserable! Good luck, hope you feel better soon.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 01/04/2010 09:34

Dried but still soft apricots (sold as ready to eat) seem to do a particularly efficient job on me - by god they make you windy though

BranflakeGirl · 01/04/2010 10:04

Prunes! I got some California dried prunes yesterday, worked a treat...bit windy though.

Also, have lots of water. Eat lots of raw carrots and have plenty of broccoli...and more water.

ARbaby · 01/04/2010 10:53

I can't recommend Lactulose enough. I've had some very serious pain throughout my pregnancy with constipation, causing me and my family to ring the emergency doctor on more than one occasion. One day I was in agony and my mother was worried enough to consider going to the hospital with me because of the pain I was in, however, she had the foresight to bring some lactulose with her, just in case. I took the required dose for really stubborn cases and within the hour I'd been to the loo without pain and no straining.
You don't want to end up with piles like me.

Poledra · 01/04/2010 11:02

Have you tried liquorice? Liquorice allsorts are fine and easy to buy but, if you can, try to get some natural liquorice frm a health food shop.

Does make you fart a lot though....

pamplem0usse · 01/04/2010 11:45

I'm not sure that this is recommended but I've found that a cup of coffee helps sort me out. Decaf will do fine - there's a chemical that's not related to caffeine in coffee that irritates your bowel enough to get things moving. It's literally the only thing that works for me, but then I do have a sensitive digestive system ususally!

onebyoneNOTfourbyfour · 01/04/2010 12:23

As soon as you can go to your GP and get some lactulose. I have two teaspoons each morning and also have All Bran with fruit and several pints of Ribeana a day, and this really works for me now. Before the lactulose and All Bran routine I was horribly constipated and now have a disgusting set of piles to show for it - truely horrendous and I am praying they sod-off after this baby is born!!!

AlbaRose · 01/04/2010 12:54

I've been adding a spoonful of crushed linseeds to my muesli every morning and it seems to help. Has to be the crushed ones evidently as the whole ones just come out the same the other end!
Have you thought of trying reflexology? My reflexologist massaged the part of my foot relating to the intestine - hurt quite a bit but got everything moving again!

weegiemum · 01/04/2010 12:56

Senokot was what I was given in pregnancy. Its senna!

Worked very well!

So did weetabix, fresh OJ with the bits in, rhubarb and stewed plums (prunes was a bit too much junior school dinners for me!).

NoahAndTheWhale · 01/04/2010 12:59

I find that liquorice and dried apricots help a lot.

mosschops30 · 01/04/2010 13:12

Lactulose definstely. I was taking 40mls a day during the 2nd half od my pg. It worked like a dream, and very easy to give up as it doesnt mess with the function of the bowel at all like Senna can.

Trafficcone · 01/04/2010 22:04

If you are genuinely constipated rather than just having trouble 'going' then Milk of Magneisa is excellent, but in people who aren't actually constipated it will cause violent diarrhoea!
I take lactulose daily and then use the milk of mag once a week if nothing has happened with the lactulose.

tiredfeet · 01/04/2010 22:26

TMI probably but simply reading this thread has finally got things moving for me

watersprite · 03/04/2010 02:34

Hello,

Have you tried movicol, it tastes horrible but really does work and your GP can prescribe it. Works for me and I suffered in my last pregnancy too.

schroedingersdodo · 03/04/2010 18:12

I'm sure if you do half of the things listed on this thread you will get things going! You can try those probiotic yogurts as well.

I'd recommend Lactulose, linseed, prunes, lots of water. Heard that coffee and tea are not good as they dehydrate the bowel (more specifically, they make the stool drier).

I've been avoiding senna tablets.

Oh yes, and a bit of gentle exercise is good too! Walking, swimming, stretching or doing some ioga will get your bowels moving and might help a bit...

Original poster

ohgoonthen · 04/04/2010 09:17

Hi all,

Small update on the epic constipation story !

Been taking 30ml of Laculose (dulphalac here) for a good few days and just a tiny bit of luck I must admit it was a huge relief, I was beginning to think I had a blockage!
Still on the All Bran, Prunes, Apricots, loads of water and pro bio yoghurts. Actually getting to the point now where I'm struggling to eat, I just can't fit anymore in!
Doing lots of walking with the dogs who are little confused at my new wind problem, thank goodness there are fields around my house and I have yet to meet anyone

I was starting to really worry about piles but 'going' doesn't seem to be a problem, it's the food getting from one end to the other is where im stuck!

Oh well, here's hoping I will get a nice Easter present

OP posts:

Elsa123 · 04/04/2010 11:54

ohgoonthen- I know EXACTLY how you feel! I am currently making some cream of onion soup for lunch. Guaranteed results and it does taste nice. I think I may buy some of that dissovable fibre stuff.

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