Advice for constipation

[GJ78]

Hi all

Pregnant with my first, 11 weeks so I need L plates!! I have been slightly constipated for a couple if weeks now, only going to the toilet approximately once or twice a week without much success! I'm taking pregnacare so not sure if it's the iron? Any help or tips? Anything you can recommend?

Thanks in advance x

[candiceandsesame]

Hiya. I suffered with this too. Niw 38wks and have the opposite problem. The only thing that worked for me was lactulose syrup. Which you can get from the chemist. Just make sure you drink plenty of water with it.

There are diet things like prune juice, dried apricots etc but nothing helped me except the lactulose.

Good luck with your pregnancy xxx

[GJ78]

Thank you so much, I'll get some tomorrow xx

[Hidden]

Lactolose....fybogel...or syrup of figs. ... the first 2u can get on prescription and thedr will prob give ua few boxes of fybogel... get the orange flavour and the first 2u can take regularly to keep u regular but I'd say the syrup of figs is a quick remedy will work overnight x

[lou42]

Ooo I feel your pain and frustration!

As a long term sufferer I recommend water water and more water! I also get on with psyllium husks in pill form (other stuff like drinking wallpaper paste).

You should seek advice before taking bulking agents like fybogel or psyllium husks, and any form of laxative. Many aren't recommended in pregnancy.

Hope you manage to get it sorted! Xx

[Hidden in reply to lou42]

Hi lou42 can I just ask where u get the psyllium husk from? I'd much rather take a tablet instead of fybogel

[lou42]

Sell it in holland and Barrett. Have wash the buggers down with lots and lots of water at the time and throughout the day but very natural compared to other options! Good luck, and my sympathies xx

[Hidden in reply to lou42]

Thank you

[Hidden in reply to lou42]

Just to let u know they do it on Amazon 500x500mg for either 12 or 18 pound can't remember but worth a look x

[seh303]

I suffered in the first trimester too and didn't want to take tablets so made up my own muesli with oats, flax seed, linseed, bran, apricots, prunes, raisins, seeds and other dried fruits and nuts. So good for the baby and was regular as clockwork good luck x

[Cokd657]

I too feel your pain, I really struggled up until about 20 weeks but like others I would recommend lots of water. Try to find a natural solution first, which will make you feel better....cut down on any bunging foods like bread (particularly white bread). foods which have helped me are bran flakes, activia yoghurt, fruit in general but when I felt really bad I added prunes to my yoghurt, which helped. But all of it needs water. Good luck!

[GJ78]

Thanks all - off to the shops!! X

[yogi]

Plums worked for me x

[Hidden]

Apparently honey is great for constipation shame I can't stand the stuff!

[DrFluffy]

Before hitting laxatives, have you done all the sensible things? Making sure you are drinking enough water being key - you need far more than before you were pregnant and thirst isn't a reliable indicator of 'fluid balance' when pregnant... The downside is even more trips to the loo!

Eat more fruit and fibre - apples ( including the pips as they contain peptin) can help.

I had terrible problems, presumably from the small amount if iron in pregnacare, and found prunes amazing (nasty, but amazing!) with a few licorice alsorts thrown in! Prunes also sorted my breastfeeding constipation out (now why does no bugger warn you about that one???) where fybogel and lactulose both failed.

What I would say though, is never take any 'formal' laxative without a conversation with your GP... While not proven significantly harmful, they can have an effect on other medications and on your body. Xx

[GJ78]

Thank you. I drink loads of water as it's the only thing I drink I've never liked tea, coffee or juice so I'm always full of water. Thanks for the tips I have some prunes and will stock up on more fruit including apples (with pips)

Thanks so much x

[Lovestar]

I'm 25 weeks and I've been having problems with constipation too for a few weeks now and tried everything - walking & drinking plenty of water (which I do anyway), prunes, fybogel, lactulose - and none of them worked! So I went back to Boots and got glycerin suppositories which the pharmacist was happy to give me once I assured her I had tried everything else. It's not exactly ideal but it did work, I'm going to persevere with all of the usual methods of treating constipation but will definitely use the suppositories again if needed. Hope you find a solution x

[uruztiwaz]

Feel for you GJ78 I had real problems with constipation too, weird though it sounds my MIL said to try a slice of wholemeal toast drizzled with olive oil and a bit of honey. Worked a treat and tasted OK too! Also helped a little with the nausea as relatively dry (compared to my usual bran flakes and milk).

Hope you're feeling better soon x