Pregnancy Constipation
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Anonymous
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Sigh. I've always been a little constipated (ie every other day pooper and often can't go on vacations or when sharing a bathroom on trips). I drink tons of water and have a diet with a large amount of vegetables. Definitely get at least 5 servings.
I'm 12 weeks pregnant and every day it's a struggle. My stomach (intestines?) hurts and I'm only able to go every 4th day. I'm eating 4 prunes a day, taking colace 3x a day, drinking hot coffee in the morning and eating a good diet. The second I got pregnant I could tell that my digestion slowed WAY down (I can feel it just with my stomach because I stay full much longer). Everything is soft when I finally get the urge. I had a hemorrhoid from giving birth before and don't want that to come back. Any tips or help? |
Anonymous
| Have you tried adding Mirilax? |
Anonymous
| Metamucil! Two big glasses every day. |
Anonymous
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What type of colace and have you cleared it with your doctor?
Miralax will bulk your stool (like metamucil will, but I find miralax easier to drink and less likley to cause bloating) so that you have the urge more regularly. My doc said it was fine to take daily while pregnant. |
Anonymous
I didn't know there were multiple types of colace, but it's docusate. She cleared it during my last pregnancy. I'm only 12 weeks so I've only met with my doctor once and don't have another meeting until 18 weeks. I've taken metamucil a long time ago and it upset my stomach more. I'll google the miralax during pregnancy. I have some in my medicine cabinet, but didn't like that it was habit forming. |
Anonymous
| This is probably not good advice and I'm sure my doctor would not agree, but recently I was horribly backed up (tried days worth of colace and metamucil unsuccessfully) and skipping my prenatal vitamin that day helped get things moving. |
Anonymous
Iron in particular can cause you to become backed up. if you're anemic and on an extra iron supplement on top of your prenatal, it can be even worse. |
Anonymous
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+1 to iron being an issue. I switched to floradix for iron supplementation (plant based liquid form of iron that doesn't constipate), then took a prenatal that didn't contain iron.
I had horrible constipation during my last pregnancy, and my provider recommended magnesium supplements. |
Anonymous
| Try steel cut oatmeal for breakfast with a cut apple mixed in for more fiber |
Anonymous
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OP here. I do take a prenatal with iron, but I've been on it for 5 years (took it while breastfeeding too). I like the iron because I always thought that's why I wasn't so tired while pregnant.
Steel cut oats sounds really good. I will make it. |
Anonymous
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Try natural calm from Amazon - it's a magnesium supplement that was recommended by my OB and worked incredibly well for me. I have very similar issues to you.
It's completely safe to take while pregnant and breastfeeding - any magnesium that your body doesn't absorb will be excreted. Bonus is that it helps with anxiety and sleep, especially if you are magnesium deficient. |
Anonymous
| I’m the same way! Not certain if you can take it in 1st tri, but nightly cocktail of senna + colace. There are mommy boards claiming it can produce contractions, but there is zero scientific evidence to support this. I wouldn’t mind it either 37 weeks and no room for bowels or baby to move. Lol |
Anonymous
| When nothing else helps, over-the-counter glycerin suppositories always do the trick |
Anonymous
| Eating a little bit of kimchi every day actually really helped me when I was struggling with this earlier in my pregnancy (along with generally eating a high fiber diet and drinking lots of water). |
Anonymous
I also added in flax seed but even that wasn’t enough an. I needed Metamucil. |