Constipation

[Kaye86]

Hi all, can anyone please help me, is there anything that can be taken while pregnant to help relieve constipation? I am in so much pain now with it. Please help.

[kay2010]

The safest way is by eating fibre enriched foods. Fibre helps you go

[Skyblueboston]

Walking and drinking a lot of fluid, this is what helped me pregnacare vitamins contain stool softener.

[Envgirl]

Hiya, I had this problem, mango juice and all bran for breakfast sorted me out. Also avoid BRAT Bread, Rice, Apples and Toast which help to bind you up. Hope this helps, it was quite painful at times for me but has been much better since following the above and since I passed 12 weeks. Good luck x

[kellykdv]

I suffered with this in my previous pregnancy and to avoid it this time I've drunk a glass of prune juice every morning and it's done the trick, thought I'd especially have problems once I started taking iron tablets a couple of weeks ago but have still been ok on the prune juice, prunes are good too!

[ritz21]

Maybe you may also want to change your pregnancy vitamins - I was better with pregnacare, but on a holiday to Amsterdam i took the new pregnancy vitamin and it seems to have a lot more iron (I can taste it on my tongue).

I asked my doctor to write a prescription for stool softener as fibers and juices were not helping me sadly

[LunaD in reply to ritz21]

Totally agree, I took a multivitamin with iron in it and was SO constipated. When i stopped taking it I was much better!

[Peanut1]

I suffer really badly with this as I already had ibs with chronic constipation, unfortunately had to stop my other meds as too strong and now on lactulose prescribed by doctor which isn't helping vey much.

Definitely say off apples, if you do want bread have whole grain, but don't eat too much.

A lot of fluids and fruit and veg, try to avoid eating too much veg like, cabbage sprouts, broccoli, beans etc when constipated as this will can cause a lot of gas and when you're already constipated can be incredibly uncomfortable and painful.

[Mumble-bee]

Hi there

I have suffered really badly with constipation for the last 3 months (I'm five and ahlf months now). I tried all the things the books and blogs recommend - drinking loads of water, eating high fibre foods, lots of fruit and veg, but nothing helped. I ended up crying my eyes out to a midwife who sent me straight to the doctor. I had been taking Lactulose already but the doctor said I needed to take more. I now take it twice a day, and slightly above the 20ml dose the bottle recommends, with a large glass of water. It took a few days to kick in but the last 3 weeks have been bliss. I still only 'go' twice a week, but it is so much easier and I feel like a new person.

I really sympsathise and feel for you. Unless you have experienced it, it's impossible to understand how horrid it makes you feel. I had back pains because I couldn't stand up straight! I hope you get it sorted soon. Go to the doctors and make them prescribe you something. Everyone is different, and prune juice does not work in every case!!!

[Nimmy]

I found dried apricots and prunes helped me. they're also high in minerals.

[HanyKuc]

Everybody knows to drink more water, eat more fibre and be active. My advice is to get Fibogel, I think 10 sachets costs around £3, you can buy it from supermarket or chemist. I used it on top of all the above plus prunes, warm water on an empty stomach and lots of fruit & veg. But this was the only thing that started things moving :o)) 34 weeks now and have been only using it when I got quite desperate and it works. Good luck!

[LunaD]

Drink lots of water and eat pulses, I also found dried apricots really helpful and am taking benefiber in my tea. I would be careful if you are taking any vitamin tablets as ones that contain iron as they can really bung you up, I had to stop taking them! You can get specific iron supplements which do not cause constipation. Fybogel is awfy good also.

[DrFluffy]

Prunes and licorice all sorts (5 of each a day)! Works real wonders!!! I had terrible abdominal pain with consipation in my first trimester! It eased by 14 weeks (thankfully!!)