Constipation- how long is too long?

Kinderteach78

Hopefully this isn't TMI! Been backed up since Friday and nothing is helping. Taking colace since Sunday, ate chili on sun, mon and today, raisin bran for breakfast for past 3 days, lots of water, fruit! Tried coffee this morning but nothing. How long do I keep waiting?! Lol what else can I do? I'm so uncomfortable and don't want to strain too much! Thanks!!

Kinderteach78

Yikes! Both sound scary!

Kinderteach78

I'll have to call to see what they say

kmc84

I agree-call your OB. It's been too long!

I hope you get some relief soon!

mrs.willie

It totally sucks! With DS, I was on Zofran and taking the daily max of colace. At one point, I went a week without being able to go. By the time it finally worked, the stomach pains were really bad. It was almost worse than labor. Thankfully, it's (only) been a few days here and there this time around. Ugh! I would def check with your OB so it doesn't get worse. Hoping it decides to come out soon for your sake!

1220winterbride

Do you exercise? if not try going for walks, that made a huge difference for me!

not to freak you out but my sister had a large baby and she experienced fecal impaction. It was an emergency and her treatment was very unpleasant. they told her not to let more than a few days elapse between bowel movements.

 (let me also add that she had chronic constipation her entire life and used laxatives often prior to pregnancy)

Sunny B

Ugh I'm sorry you're dealing with this.

My OB suggested Colace or Miralax.

I also just bought a Squatty Potty. It should be here today, and I'm hoping it helps. I'll let you know if it works, if you are interested!

KT416

I'm on Zofran which can delay me a little bit. I think the longest was roughly a week, so I probably wouldn't get too worried yet, but that's just me.

If you don't go today, try having raisin bran and OJ w/ pulp tomorrow and then exercise or even pick up and clean the house or anything to get your body moving after you eat. It usually does the trick for me. Good luck!

Lady2010

See what your OB says - hopefully they can advise you on something to provide relief.

One recommendation now - or once you are better - add 3 to 5 dried pitted prunes to your daily diet.  They have changed my life!  I have only had to take Colace maybe 5 times total thus far - and most of that was earlier on before I knew about the prunes.

TMI but I was never super regular prior to pregnancy but in my 1st tri I of course became concerned due to horror stories I heard of severe constipation, hemorrhoids, etc.  My best friend recommended them to me and seriously - they have changed my life (for the better).  They don't taste bad and they travel easily!

And of course staying hydrated, and walking/exercise is good too. 

Good luck!!!

Edited to add note about colace

Kinderteach78

I don't exercise much anymore but teach kindergarten ... So I'm on my feet all day! I'll try prunes for sure and call my OB. I have IBS and get constipated occasionally but nothing like this! Thanks for all the suggestions!!

Kinderteach78

@Sunny B‌ what is a squatty potty?! If it helps, I'd use it! Lol

Sunny B

I saw it on Shark Tank. It's basically a stool to help you get it the optimal position for full elimination haha.

https://www.amazon.com/Squatty-Potty%C2%AE-Toilet-Stool-Original/dp/B008G9B11E/ref=sr_1_1/185-5279815-8790062?ie=UTF8&qid=1416333826&sr=8-1&keywords=squatty+potty

gsancho

I tried a stool the other day and it helped minimize straining!  

I have always had problems and sometimes can go a week without anything happening.  But if it gets too painful, I've had to use a suppository before.  Normally, I would take a special tea, but I don't think it's recommended to take while pregnant.  I've also heard that diluting sea salt in warm water and chugging a glass of it helps pretty quickly...but it sounds too gross for me to try.  A friend of mine swears by it.  I'd talk to your doctor before trying something, though.  

bears1011

LOL @gsancho! I assume you meant you tried a stool softener? when I read the sentence it made me crack up! Just sounds funny

happygirl1013

If I go more than 3 days, I get hemmroids.  Talk to your OB, you want to get this solved asap because hemmoriods are super painful

bears1011

Hahaha oh now I feel silly! Thanks for clearing that up @IFinTN‌! Oh well, got a good laugh

gsancho

Yes, @bears1011 @IFinTN an actual stool!  I think it was on my BMB that someone mentioned it once, and in a moment of desperation a little more than a week ago, I tried it out.  It really helped me get in a better position for straining - no freakin' clue why.  DH now shakes his head every time he walks into the bathroom and sees a little stool by the toilet.  Hahahaha!

Sunny B

A stool for stool makes everything confusing!

Kinderteach78

Oh my gosh, this is too funny! My OB suggested prune juice for now but everything worked out before I had to drink it- thank god! Got some anyways along with prunes that I will eat every day from here on out they also said I may have been overdoing it with all get fiber and that could make it worse. Thanks for all the advice and input- esp the ones that made me LOL

BeckyP005

Omg just got through this thread cracking up! Happy to hear your ok

gsancho

OMG, now I'm getting ads for the official poo stool on Facebook.  It's $25 at Amazon, if anyone is interested....or just get a cheap-o stool from Target.  $25 for a poo stool seems like a lot!

hopeby2015

LOL!

@Sunny B‌ - When I started reading this thread I was gonna recommend the stool from shark tank too! This is what's actually convinced me to have a birthing bar during labor! Lol!

Pintobean39

Future reference, citrus fruit is good for constipation because it's fiber and liquid. I once went a week after being on pain meds and got impacted. Let me just say the relationship between my husband and I has reached a whole new level. I now don't let it get past day 3 or I'm eating a whole bunch of citrus, using fleet suppositories, drinking that nasty shit that taste like bad orange sugary crap. I also only take zofran if I just can't survive anymore, that stuff is the devil.

dp21

Colace is just a stool softener, it won't make you go.  But buy some miralax, it is safe during pregnancy.  I use it occasionally and have a box in the house just in case.  My poo is definitely not the same, can't wait to have post pregnancy poo back!!!   If you are going the fiber route, make sure to drink plenty of fluids with it.  I bought prune juice too and decided it's too yucky for me, would rather take miralax in some grape juice. 

Ecarabeo217

So glad it worked out, lol! But deifinitely Miralax is an option. The "old-school" postpartum nurses swear by a cocktail of half prune juice, half OJ in the microwave for maybe 20 secs (just enough to warm it up a bit). I've tried it and. Swear it's like liquid drano!