J.R. asks from Lewisville, TX on April 22, 2009
Constipation Remedies During Pregnancy
I just found out I'm pregnant and already dealing with one "discomfort" of my last pregnancy...constipation. Can anyone give me suggestions as to "safe" options to get this under control.
I will be discussing it with my Dr., but I don't see her for my 1st appt. until mid-May. Thanks!! :o)
Featured Answers
More Answers
T.F. answers from Dallas on April 22, 2009
I exercised regularly and used Metamucil regularly. I just drank a little of it every day. My Dr. approved it. After baby, I used Colace and or Dulcolax.
I never had issues.
Good luck and congratulations!
T.S. answers from Dallas on April 22, 2009
I am currently 34 weeks pregnant and i have constipation all the time!! I have found that eating cereal with high fiber REALLY HELPS!! I try not to eat TOO MUCH of it but i have a bowl or two when i am constipated. Hope this helps!
S.W. answers from Dallas on April 22, 2009
Colace! You can get it at Walgreens or CVS. I take it with my prenatals everyday. The dr. told me not to take milk of magnesia everyday. Good Luck, I am in the same boat! :)
M.B. answers from Dallas on April 22, 2009
Metamucil can work well, but it has sugar or artificial sweeteners and colorings. I just use a pure psyllium fiber (which is the fiber in Metamucil). Konsyl brand is available at places like Walmart or online at drugstore.com. Also, you find many brands of this at Sprouts or Whole foods. Also, magnesium and vitamin C are both very helpful in this area and likely both things that will benefit you. Many, many people are deficient in magnesium and you can't take too much really - you'll know if you do because you'll get the opposite of constipation, which is why it works so well for that.
Also, you may already know but the last thing you want is to be constipated after childbirth - that was the worst part of childbirth for me. So, before I had my second I made sure to take Dulcolax
N.V. answers from Dallas on April 22, 2009
I had the same problem. What I found worked well for me was lots of water and lots of fiber-like bran bites. Occasionally using Metamucil worked well too. Good luck and congrats
E.F. answers from Dallas on April 22, 2009
Hi J.,
My Midwife recommended a holistic constipation recipe that worked like a charm:
1/4 cup of prune juice
1/4 cup of apple juice
1 teaspoon of sugar
Heat in the microwave so that it is not too hot, but very warm and drink all at once.
Best of luck!
E.
C.P. answers from Dallas on April 22, 2009
Hello J.,
Congratulations! you should be able to take 1-2 tsp milk of magnesia every day to keep it moving. 1 tsp milk of magnesia has 400mg of magnesium which is the rdi currently listed. during my pregnacies I took it for the heardburn. and also make sure I took it a couple of days before and after delivery and it was a pretty easy trip to the bathroom (after 2 c-sections...) figure out what's constipating you. By the way, if you like pears, have fun eating pears. they have as much fiber as prunes and that will help you too. Good luck! ~C.~
C.M. answers from Dallas on April 22, 2009
Check with your DR about Miralax. this was a "discomfort" for me as well with both kids. At the time, I used Colace, as Miralax was only by Rx, but now you can get it OTC and my pediatrician highly recommends it for my stubborn 3 year old who hates to do the deed... so, if it's safe for the younger generation, it may be safe for you during pregnancy. Check though...
Email