Well, I'm about to go into labor here but I never once got constipated. I read about it, but it's like an urban legend to me. However, I wonder if I have just done things differently and that's what helped.

First, I'm a vegetarian. I don't eat a lot of meat. This isn't the solution necessarily but it might be why I never had a problem.

Second, I was so so thirsty from the 5th week, so I really drank a ton of water everyday. I would wake up in the middle of the night and guzzle the 12 ounces next to my bed, then get more. It was like I couldn't get enough.

Third, when they told me I was iron deficient in the 2nd
trimester and I had to add iron supplements, I panicked that this would cause me to become constipated since I read so much about it. I started taking 4 tsp of benefiber every morning in my protein shake.

Fourth, the only thing I craved were apples and oranges until the 6th month. But even after I got off my fruit kick, I still didn't have trouble.

It's not like it used to be for me, but I'm regular and don't go more than a day without going.

Watch what you eat, don't eat a lot of junk food or processed food and drink a ton of water.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for all of the great suggestions! I'll give them a try. Also, since this is an anonymous forum (so what better place to ask?)...but after having this terrible constipation for about 2 months, could I have developed a hemmorhoid? It hurts so bad when I finally do go - the pain is right at the exit, if you know what I mean. Just in one very specific spot, as if there's something there that's getting irritated every time I go. Is that what a hemmorhoid feels like? Never hurts at any other time. So embarrassing...I'm sorry to share all that.

Yep. Don't be scared or shocked if you eventually see some bright red blood on the stool, either.

Thanks for all of the great suggestions! I'll give them a try. Also, since this is an anonymous forum (so what better place to ask?)...but after having this terrible constipation for about 2 months, could I have developed a hemmorhoid? It hurts so bad when I finally do go - the pain is right at the exit, if you know what I mean. Just in one very specific spot, as if there's something there that's getting irritated every time I go. Is that what a hemmorhoid feels like? Never hurts at any other time. So embarrassing...I'm sorry to share all that.

Colace and lots of water every day, apples, broccoli, hummus.

Plum juice! It tastes a whole lot better than prune juice, and it really works!

starbucks

miralax or colace. I get constipated daily if I'm not using one of those even when I drink tons of water and eat a bunch of prunes. My dr said it was okay for me to take either but specifically recommended colace.

Regular aerobic exercise, three liters of water/day, and eating at least 30 grams of fiber/day. That kept me pretty regular during my pregnancy. Fiber One bars were a godsend...

Are you taking a prenatal with extra iron? You might want to switch to one without iron. Also, about two tablespoons of flax seed a day (in yogurt) works for me. Metamucil or Citrucel might also be a gentle option. The other suggestions about regular exercise, water consumption and prune juice are also good.

16 cups of water a day.

Regular exercise. Really try walking half an hour per day. Made a big difference.

It only got worse for me as time has continued - I eat prunes daily (like 6) and drink a glass of water with the orange metamucil in it, AND take a stool softener pill every day. It's terrible, but it's better than getting so backed up.

Half a glass of prune juice everyday did the trick for me.

Me TOO! I'm only 6 weeks and the rest of my symptoms are mild- but the constipation is bad already. I've started eating a fiber cereal with raisins in the morning - seemed to help today. I also just bought those fiberful ends & pieces (dried fruit) from Trader Joes. Crossing my fingers it will get better, but plan on asking my Dr. for his recs this week during my visit. Obvious point- but be sure you're hydrating.

Only in the 1st tri but I am so constipated. I've been taking CVS brand fiber capsules but they're not helping. I don't think I've ever been constipated in my whole life until I got pregnant. What really works?