Constipation / straining on the loo

beccyj1979 · Mar 10th, 2010, 18:47 PM

Sorry for the embarrassing topic, but I am hoping that you will be able to give me some advice / reassurance.

I have suffered terribly with constipation throughout this pregnancy and it is now the worst I have ever had - nothing I try helps, and I get so stressed and anxious thinking that nothing is going to happen that, when I do eventually 'try' I can't go.

Does constipation normally get easier after birth, or does it sometimes continue - and does anyone else ever have to strain on the toilet to go? (I have to - and that's the main thing that worries me when I am trying to go)

Beccy xx

agreeksmom · Mar 10th, 2010, 18:49 PM

get fibre drink lots of water go to the pharmacy they have medication that is safe for pregos like us! you will go back to normal

rwhite · Mar 10th, 2010, 18:56 PM

I've been having this problem too...weird thing is, I always feel like I need to go - my tummy will gurgle and I'll think "Oooh, maybe this is my clearout" (

) and get to the toilet and sit down...nothing! I can't get it out. My OH has taken to teasing me for it, it happens so often!

Are you on iron supplements? It could be those that are causing your constipation. I'm not even on them (the pregnancy vitamins I'm taking have a small amount of iron, but not nearly enough to cause constipation...), it's odd..

x

MissE007 · Mar 10th, 2010, 19:40 PM

I'm having this problem too - I think the worst I've ever had in my life, and I don't think that its helping that I'm taking two iron tablets per day as my levels are very low.

The other day I seriously had to check whether the baby was still there after I'd managed to go, it was that bad

At the moment I'm eating plenty of fruit and veg, drinking plenty but the only thing that seems to help (a bit) is lactulose. I know that constipation is a normal side effect of pregnancy though and I'm pretty sure that things will go back to normal once the baby is born...so long as you don't have to take these dreaded iron tablets like I do! Argh!

broodylocket · Mar 10th, 2010, 19:57 PM

im on iron tablets and omg, im struggling and eating fibre so gonna have a word with my midwife

Alisha1985 · Mar 11th, 2010, 07:37 AM

Its not just iron tablets that cause constipation through pregnancy. Ive only just been put on iron supplements a week ago and I was already having difficulty going the toilet. I was prescribed a substance called Lactulose which REALLY DOES work! You can buy it over the counter at any chemist without prescription for about £4.

BrightEyes · Mar 11th, 2010, 07:44 AM

A big bowl of All Bran in the morning and the world will be falling out through your bum... It's the onnly thing that works for me!!

Mar 10th, 2010, 18:47 PM	#1
beccyj1979 Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 44	Constipation / straining on the loo Sorry for the embarrassing topic, but I am hoping that you will be able to give me some advice / reassurance. I have suffered terribly with constipation throughout this pregnancy and it is now the worst I have ever had - nothing I try helps, and I get so stressed and anxious thinking that nothing is going to happen that, when I do eventually 'try' I can't go. Does constipation normally get easier after birth, or does it sometimes continue - and does anyone else ever have to strain on the toilet to go? (I have to - and that's the main thing that worries me when I am trying to go) Beccy xx

Status: Offline

Mar 10th, 2010, 18:49 PM	#2
agreeksmom Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: canada Posts: 1,186	get fibre drink lots of water go to the pharmacy they have medication that is safe for pregos like us! you will go back to normal

Status: Offline

Mar 10th, 2010, 18:56 PM	#3
rwhite Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 4,165	I've been having this problem too...weird thing is, I always feel like I need to go - my tummy will gurgle and I'll think "Oooh, maybe this is my clearout" () and get to the toilet and sit down...nothing! I can't get it out. My OH has taken to teasing me for it, it happens so often! Are you on iron supplements? It could be those that are causing your constipation. I'm not even on them (the pregnancy vitamins I'm taking have a small amount of iron, but not nearly enough to cause constipation...), it's odd.. x

Status: Offline

Mar 10th, 2010, 19:40 PM	#4
MissE007 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: UK Posts: 145	I'm having this problem too - I think the worst I've ever had in my life, and I don't think that its helping that I'm taking two iron tablets per day as my levels are very low. The other day I seriously had to check whether the baby was still there after I'd managed to go, it was that bad At the moment I'm eating plenty of fruit and veg, drinking plenty but the only thing that seems to help (a bit) is lactulose. I know that constipation is a normal side effect of pregnancy though and I'm pretty sure that things will go back to normal once the baby is born...so long as you don't have to take these dreaded iron tablets like I do! Argh!

Status: Offline

Mar 10th, 2010, 19:57 PM	#5
broodylocket Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Norfolk, England Posts: 2,276	im on iron tablets and omg, im struggling and eating fibre so gonna have a word with my midwife

Status: Offline

Mar 11th, 2010, 07:37 AM	#6
Alisha1985 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 767	Its not just iron tablets that cause constipation through pregnancy. Ive only just been put on iron supplements a week ago and I was already having difficulty going the toilet. I was prescribed a substance called Lactulose which REALLY DOES work! You can buy it over the counter at any chemist without prescription for about £4.

Status: Offline

Mar 11th, 2010, 07:44 AM	#7
BrightEyes Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 140	A big bowl of All Bran in the morning and the world will be falling out through your bum... It's the onnly thing that works for me!!

Status: Offline

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