in pain cos I can't pass a motion...

[owwwwww]

I've changed my nickname, as this is a bit, well, embarassing!

I felt the urge to go about 1/2 hour ago, but despite trying (admittedly not too hard, as I'm worried about baby, I'm about 23 weeks) I've only managed to pass a little bit. Problem is I haven't been for a good few days (I've never been regular), and I can feel it's too big too.

I'm worried about pushing too hard, as I don't want to hurt/dislodge by accident/distress LO, but also because when I had DS, I had tearing, or I was cut (not sure which) and ever since, I've had difficulty passing stuff. It bloody hurts!

Any tips for helping pass this? I usually try to eat dried fruit, and wheaty things to help keep me regular, but I slacked these past couple of weeks, and now I'm paying for it big time.

BTW I've tried ex-lax, and dried apricots so far - those 2 together helped me pass the little bit I have. I haven't got any lactulose unfortunately.

How long should I leave it before seeking medical advice?!

Ask if you can use Movicol whilst pregnant, I am using the paediatric version on Ds at the moment, its magic!

Draws water from the bowel to soften whats there.

HTH

Ive been there! It's awful. Last pregnancy I couldn't go sometimes for days, eventually it settled out.

First wheat makes it worse.

Also first thing in the morning (so that it pushes everything on) eat a kiwi with the skin. More fruit during the day, pears are best (the royal fruit) apricots like you were eating are great. Tons of water, always at least 3/5 pieces of fruit a day. Be careful if you decide to use bran flakes they swell up inside absorbing fluids and can actually make things worse.

Try cooking a few vegetarian meals, things with onions and lentils. Even baked beans on wholemeal toast will help.In fact if you just ate a serving of heated up baked beans now, you'll probably go!

And again, water, water, water.

Good luck.

lol Riven, no, I don't think I'll be doing that... ok I'll phone the doc tomorrow, see if I can get an appt,

I know what you mean about the whole too hard thing, will try for the suppository, or that movicol stuff - I must say I've not heard of that one before, but I'll try anything once!

thank you x

you are not going to accidentally shit the baby out

I second Movicol.

You can buy Movicol over the counter, just need to check its ok in pregnancy.

I am 23 wks too and in exactly the same boat; until last night
Prune juice is good, but for me a tried and tested result is produced from one spoonful of coffee and 3 of instant hot chocolate.
I can't stand coffee, therefore am not used to it that much, but you can't taste it in this way..
Works within hours every time for me; NSR (my new abbreviation=No Straining Required..!
Give it a bash!

Also - soups, you need to have wet foods in your diet to soften things up!

a physio woman told me during last pregnancy that the best thing to do is to sit on the loo with a footstool or a box or something under your feet, helps get the muscles relaxed enough to shift things without straining so much. Don't know why it works exactly, but I've found it makes a real difference. Particularly good after the birth when things are healing and you really don't want to strain.

lots of fruit, all bran (not bran flakes), you can get lactulose fromm over the counter, thats safe for pregnancy, like another poster said sometimes its all too impacted at the bottom end so softening wont help much, a suppository is the best way forward. theres no shame in seeing the dr, constipation in pregnnacy is hugely common, last thing you want is to strain too much and give yourself piles and end up in even more pain!

Sounds disgusting but in the past I've managed to pass by squatting over a bucket of hot water (I seem not to feel anything passing that way) but it's not worked this time.

Nothing has changed, but I'm feeling urges to push, although I'm trying not to (haven't got the energy for one!!) Thing is, I'm winding down for bed, and I'm worried now I'm gonna mess the bed...!

The coffee thing... that's an idea! I haven't drunk caff'd coffee in months, so that might work.

I just really want to pass this now, so I can relax and sleep in peace

Fybogel helped relieve really bad constipation for me - takes a day or two to work though.

Thank you all,

just spoke to the doc (no movement yet, just an extremely bad night...!) and I'm off to get suppository and lactulose for future avoidance,

I can't wait...! (daft, eh?!)

and I'm stocking up on the dried fruit too

morning and big sympathy to you.

I third movicol, absolutely amazing stuff (and believe me, I've tried them all....)
just a small warning with lactulose - it can cause trapped wind so be careful to not take too much too soon...(looong story i've told elsewhere here but i too had an embarrassing trip to hospital, terrible contractions...internal rummage released what my DH still calls the loudest fart ever heard)(felt better though )

and everyone is right on the water, water, water front. keep hydrated and your body doesn't have to work as hard. and remember all this when BFing - it can cause the same problems.

Good pooing!

it's gone!

thanks to 2 suppositories, 10mls of lactulose, and all your suggestions x

Thank you, I am pain-free... (sort of!)

and off elsewhere too... lol!

I get this also, so uncomfortable, and also leaves me worrying if i'm straining and harming the baby. im nearly 18wks. and i just feel so bloated all the time, im not showing yet to be honest, (i suffered from bloating before hand, not nice.. x