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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Awful constipation, HELP!!!

28 replies

splatt · 15/04/2010 06:25

OK, I know this is a bit of a horrid topic but I'm getting to the end of my tether.

I am 14 weeks and suffering with horrid constipation. My own fault as I was on nights last week and always eat badly (ie no cereal, little fruit etc) because you eat at funny times etc. Anyway have since eaten a load of fibre and laxatives to little effect.

Now sorry to be blunt but it is there I just can't shift the damn thing (how I'll ever push a baby out I have no idea!!!) Was thinking a suppositry might help soften, ie attack from the other end. Are they safe in pregnancy does anyone know. Can I get over the counter as am too embarrassed to ask doctor and not seeing midwife for another 6 weeks and she is impossible to contact between times.

OP posts:

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franke · 15/04/2010 07:17

Don't know about immediate relief - ask at the pharmacy. But then have a glass of prune juice every day to keep things moving.

babynumberthree · 15/04/2010 08:49

For me a combination of bran flakes, several litres of water and omitting prenatal vitamins do the trick, but it usually takes a day or two to work through! Can't imagine suppositories will be safe in early pregnancy.

Dalrymps · 15/04/2010 08:59

Hmm, you say you're too embarassed to ask a doc but I think you should, they can probably give you something to sort it quick and they'll have heard it all before.

I think you can take lactulose whilst pg but I don't know if it works on whats already there iyswim?

I had bad constipation too. I had a small glass of prune juice each day and forced myself to eat a bowl of sultata bran each day and eat 2 satsumas a day. You don't have to eat the cereal for breakfast, could be any time of day. Drink lots of water too...

Hope you get it sorted, I know how awful it is!

parkj83 · 15/04/2010 09:05

I get this too, I eat a handful of dried apricots every day, and also at least one bowl of fruit and fibre too.

Lactulose/exlax can help, but not sure if it's ok when pg.

emsyj · 15/04/2010 09:08

I have always suffered with constipation, pre-pregnancy included, but I do find that drinking a huge amount of water help, also exercise. If you can go swimming then that might help you - the more you can do on a regular basis, the better. If you could manage 3 fairly longish sessions a week (slow is fine, just keep going) I do find exercise and in particular swimming is really good for getting things going.
I think lactulose is safe after the first trimester, ask the pharmacist. You can get it over the counter. Prune juice is utterly and I can't stomach it, but believe it works wonders. Drink drink drink the water though - even when you're not thirsty.

MorrisZapp · 15/04/2010 13:55

I use a suppository every day. My bowels shut up shop the day I got my bfp, even though I eat a v high fibre diet.

If you've never used a suppository before you're in for sweet and almost immediate releif! Make sure you're at home and have plenty of time and privacy the first time. I always run them under the tap before er, inserting them. They don't go in very well otherwise.

They cost 2 quid for 12 in superdrug or sainsbury's. Boots used to sell them but don't any more (or perhaps they've just moved them to behind the counter).

Good luck!

Original poster

splatt · 15/04/2010 19:03

Thanks all.
Have been to Boots who said all I could have is lactuloase so trying that. Fingers crossed.

Have been trying so hard with fibre, have weetabix for breakfast and plenty of fruit and veg. Drinking loads is difficult as my job really isn't one where you can easily leave to go the the loo and I need to go often enough as is!

Fingers crossed the lactulose works!

OP posts:

harley85 · 15/04/2010 20:12

weetabix every morn and orange hi fibre senkot suff is great, really helped for me

plantsitter · 15/04/2010 20:15

Fresh orange and fizzy water (loads of it) always does the trick with me. Orange juice with bits in.

Can I recommend you try not to strain too much if it's not working? Just that, well, I had horrific piles during pregnancy and don't recommend them...

DomesticG0ddess · 16/04/2010 07:33

A few prunes usually helps me. Agree, don't strain! The lactulose should get to work, I have used that before too.

Miffster · 16/04/2010 07:56

Psyillium husk is safe? It's inert in the body ( not absorbed).
It's just natural plant fibre, which you drink lots of water with and it

It passes out as it is through the intestines and is excreted in the stool. What it does do is swell up in the intestines, increasing the bulk of the stool. Being mucoid (mucous-like) in nature it also coats the stool, making it easy to pass out.

Don't take it at the same time as food or vitamins though, as it can prevent absorption of the goodies inside. Have it separately, with a lot of water.

Only thing that works for me. Available health food shops. Can be bought loose or in capsule form.

ASAPWW · 16/04/2010 09:10

Have you tried linseed? It works for me, I put a heaped teaspoon on my muesli along with some prunes and it seems to keep me moving. It also very good for you.

krugerparkrules · 16/04/2010 09:16

liquorice for some reason always helped me!
(other than that prunes and apricots good)

marmitelover · 16/04/2010 10:09

Totally empathise with this! I find a generous tablespoon of linseed (in yoghurt or cereal) once a day has kept things gloriously regular.

Good luck!

pimskie · 16/04/2010 12:34

I got a huge bottle of lactulose and a box of suppositories prescribed by my GP and they did the job. (plus no prescription charges due to pregnancy so they came for free .
Am 39+ weeks now and it's come back, so am using the lactulose again (bottle was so huge there was plenty left) and Fybogel (available in supermarkets and safe in pregnancy) and it made everything really nice and soft...
Otherwise, prunes and dried apricots are good too.

Romilly70 · 07/05/2010 12:54

I am 15 weeks, but my constipation turned out to be caused by dehydration (was also vomiting) & stress and 2 days ago had a lovely stay overnight in hospital on a drip; so my initial advice is please do not be too embarassed to see a doctor as you never knwo what the underlying cause is...

I am now trying to drink as much water as possible, going for walks to keep my bowels movign as much as possible. also try and eat easily digestible foods. I also find chewable acidophilus tablets after a meal

Bumblingaround · 07/05/2010 15:21

my sympathies - know exactly how you feel! Lepicol is the best product i've found, you mix it with orange juice and it's like drinking sawdust but SO worth it.
take care!

glasgowmandy · 12/05/2010 18:42

i had it terrible!! i didnt go for about 3 weeks and i was in tears with it! my mum made me a bran loaf! get lots of fiber into you, that helped me a little, although i know this sounds absoltley awful but i was so didtressed with it that i had to (and by the way i know all of you are gunna go oh my god sick!!! but when you are in that much pain you will do anything!!) i sorta had to help myself if you get what i mean, almost like picking your nose!!! im sorry girls but it was the only thing that worked for me and i cryed for about 2 days with relief. its either that or a doctor does it for you and personally id rather do it myself than save that embarrasment, god im blushing writing this but it was a matter of life and death lol x but it did work!! x

JazzieJeff · 13/05/2010 11:33

This is horrible, absolutely horrible but prune juice (it comes in a glass type jar in Tesco) is an absolute fail safe. It'll have you moving in no time. It took about 8 hours (had a glass before work, quite a big glass actually...) and I swear down, I was running up my front drive on the way home to get to the loo. Glasgowmandy, I relate to the feeling of relief... it was a beautiful thing. DH came upstairs to find his crazy wife sitting on the toilet and laughing with a slightly mad, crazed edge
So yep, utterly disgusting, and only for use for the desparate, but it works.

Twittle · 13/05/2010 12:01

I have found that a couple of tablespoons of linseed on my cereal in the morning works wonders and it doesn't taste horrible (which I find prune juice does although to be honest if you are 'bunged up' anything is worth a bad taste if it works)!!!!! Also I try and drink a couple of litres of water a day which helps and walking or swimming, difficult I know if you work shifts but worth trying if you can - but linseed is a definite winner - you can get it in health food shops and supermarkets!

Good Luck!

I am hoping that the constipation I have experienced in the past will set me in good stead for labour!!!!!?????!!!

peanutpie · 13/05/2010 12:09

I had this last week and it has now eased. Thankfully! as it was really awful. I'm 28 weeks by the way.

This is what I did...went to a health food shop and they gave me a thick prune juice and a packet of linseeds. I put a tablespoon of linseeds in a pint of water and drink if after about 6-7 hours. It's a bit gloopy and grim but supposed to be good for you!

Anyway I tried that for two days and it didn't work well, although it got me going a bit more.

So I added in 2 spoonfuls of lactulose a day which I got over the counter at the chemist. This draws water to the bowel apparently. This is the only thing that gave me proper relief (the day after) and allowed me to go quite easily.

You have my sympathies as I felt horrible not being able to 'go'.

tafi · 13/05/2010 12:13

laxatives force your stools out and it seems you haven't been in a while so the pain will be horrible, so what you need is something to soften like dulcoease.although check you are allowed first.then you really must alter your diet,but you already know that!plenty of wholegrains and water,as well as dried fruit.your GP should also give you a sickly liquid medicine for constipation,i've forgotten the name but it really keeps things soft.finally honey,if you neglect to alter your eating habits,you will get piles and that's not something you want.i ended up with my GPs fingers stuck up my rear with him exclaiming 'you are loaded'.you've been warned!

Mimi1977 · 13/05/2010 13:00

tafi how hilarious (and humiliating!)

I'm suffering at the moment too and weetabix/bran flakes just not hard core enough for me so I have to have All Bran which is a bit like eating cardboard for breakfast. On my second day and things are moving very very slowly.

glasgowmandy · 13/05/2010 15:25

i thin kit has to be the worst feeling in the world by far!! id rather go through the after math of a section again than be constipated lol, everything all the girlies have wrote is right, and get lotsa fiber in you im told that can help? xx

tafi · 14/05/2010 12:30

mimi1977,i have heard that too much hardcore fibre can make things even harder, so maybe have more fluid to help things along,i would especially recommend prune juice. also any juice with bits in like pineapple... about my GP experience,humiliating dosen't even begin to cover it. I imagined him talking to his GP friends as you do, regailing them with the story of the patient he'd seen today!needless to say, i summarily switched doctors,thank you very much.

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