This may count as TMI

mamaj1220 · August 2013

Ladies please someone help. I have been so freaking constipated my insides hurt and anything I take to help my body has decided needs to be puked up. I am so uncomfortable I'm in tears! This just started a couple days ago and everything my doc has suggested is what's coming up. Does anyone have a natural way (other then fiber bc there's a lot in there already) to help?

KFED103 · August 2013

Prunes?

Btw, are you against a stool softener?

peitri · August 2013

I know you said no fiber, but in 1st tri I used Metamucil. Not the tastiest thing ever, but it did work for me. I hope you find something that works soon!

mamaj1220 · August 2013

Ah I have not tried prunes! Pregnancy brain combined with oh so fun aching in my belly made me not remember. Thank you girls!

cherylnicole · August 2013

I've always used Colace when pregnant...not sure if you've tried that or not.

cherylnicole · August 2013

Or you can always try a suppository. May not be your idea of a good time, but it'll get the job done!

AwaitingAAmiracle · August 2013

I have heard that the glycerin suppositories work wonders. I haven't tried them though. Hope you get some relief quickly.

katebusse · August 2013

Eat popcorn. Seriously, either the popcorn Indiana stuff or the plain old wise butter popcorn. They work like a charm!

MarieC78 · August 2013

I would def do an enema. It isnt glamorous, but you need relief!

watercolor5 · August 2013

What have you tried? Fiber is the natural thing that works, so prunes, pears, peas, peaches, etc all work because they have fiber in them. There's soluble and insoluble fiber, and one will make you more constipated and the other will help. I take metamucil or citrucel pills to relieve constipation.

Meds wise you can take milk of magnesia, or use a stool softener like colace, or do a laxative like miralax or dulcolax...

I'd start with a fiber pill, and if it doesn't work, try colace next (in addition to the fiber pill), and if that doesn't work, go to milk of magnesia, miralax or dulcolax as my last resort. Luckily most stool softeners and laxatives are safe to take while pregnant. Dulcolax does come in a suppository as well, and it will definitely work that way, but you want to be damn sure you need it before you resort to that (and I think that's a prescription at that point.)

ETA: I'd give fiber a day or two to work before adding a stool softener, and give that a day or two before adding a laxative... good luck.

shoeflypie · August 2013

I've been using probiotics, kale chips and ridiculous amounts of water. Like enough water that you feel like you're gonna puke. I've also eaten dried figs since our fig trees need more time.

MEP923 · August 2013

Miralax works wonders but it usually takes a few days to kick in. If your doctor OKs it, keep using it even after you go and it will keep you going regularly so it doesn't happen again. There is really no taste to it when mixed with juice or something like that. I don't see why your doc wouldn't OK it because my son's pediatrician and his surgeon have him on adult doses of it and he is only 3.

lp0 · August 2013

Coffee always does it for me, or Apple juice. Or like the others suggested a suppository.

Mills0309 · August 2013

Eat some oatmeal for breakfast! It does the trick for me.

sleepymonkey · August 2013

I have had to resort to using a fleet saline enema a few times this pregnancy. It's not as bad as it sounds and does help. My ob all said occasionally using dulcolax is ok as well but an enema works faster. Once you're "cleared out" I recommend taking citrucel daily if you can. It really helps me now that I started taking it regularly, and is doesn't upset my stomach or make me gassy like other fibers.

leahraewku · August 2013

LP0198 said:

Coffee always does it for me, or Apple juice. Or like the others suggested a suppository.

If all else fails, coffee does it for me too.

Lmsr17 · August 2013

My prenatal vitamin has 50mg colace in it and I have no trouble. Oatmeal and prunes are also good!

kaiteygrl · August 2013

Apples with skin. I also use the gummy fibers daily. Good luck, that's like the number one reason I'm happy to be out of the first trimester! Hope it doesn't come back for the third!

ranaverde · August 2013

Whatever you're eating for fiber, be sure to chase it with a ton of water. Otherwise it will make things worse.

And you may want to talk about this with your doctor, because if you're really well-blocked, adding more mass to the problem isn't going to help. You might need some help getting unblocked first.

RockiesNugget · August 2013

Go for prune juice instead of just prunes as it will work faster, though not the best tasting. I would chase mine with a glass of water too.

MelAnnDi · August 2013

You need to be drinking a ton of water, or the fiber will absorb everything and make it worse.

ReggieLou13 · August 2013

MarieC78 said:
I would def do an enema. It isnt glamorous, but you need relief!

Agreed. They are miracle workers while pregnant. My ob said if I don't go every 3 days to use one.

northport6 · August 2013

This sounds...like the worst thing ever. I'm actually finding myself wanting to, like, say a prayer for you. Please let us know when it resolves. Preferably in hilarious gif format.

CandiP523 · August 2013

Smooth Move tea!

edenkeever · August 2013

I've found that good quality organic honey will do the trick. A huge heaping spoonful. I did this with DS while we were potty training too--he was refusing to go and would wind up constipated quite often. Honey almost always worked.

Eggerkr · August 2013

Enema? You poor thing, you sound miserable!

BreeIsbell · August 2013

Have you been able to go for a nice long walk?? I can eat anything I want that I think will help but if I don't walk and get stuff moving down there not a thing will actually happen ;;)

BreeIsbell · August 2013

CandiP523 said:
Smooth Move tea!

This!

margaerytyrell · August 2013

I've had issues all pregnancy with constipation.
I take a colace in the AM and PM and eat about 6 prunes though out the day. Prunes work well because they're high in sorbitol. Sorbitol basically floods your colon with water to move things out of there. Drink a lot of water too. You'll find relief soon enough.

kkaty · August 2013

I. Take 4 probiotics every night before bed- works like a charm

kaiteygrl · August 2013

I wonder how many of us were constipation experts prior to pregnancy LOL

mamaj1220 · August 2013

LP0198 said:
Coffee always does it for me, or Apple juice. Or like the others suggested a suppository.

Funny thing is I wanted apple juice so bad last night and wouldn't you know that worked! I never knew apple
Juice would help with this issue haha! Thanks ladies for all the help

swirl25 · August 2013

Glycerin suppositories are miracle workers! (Don't do regular enemas, they aren't considered safe during pregnancy) Colace, Metamucil, etc aren't going to help what's already there blocking things up -- you need to get that out first. The suppository will definitely do the job. They saved my life in the beginning when I was majorly constipated in 1st tri. The kiddie ones (Pedialax, I think it's called) worked just fine and they are less, ahem, intimidating...