Neep Help Becoming Un-constipated

Updated on February 16, 2010
E.W. asks from South Elgin, IL
13 answers

I'm sorry if this is TMI, but before pregnancy I had IBS-C, so I wasn't very regular then, but I could take a gentle laxitive to go if I needed...but now, I am so constipated and my OB says I am too early (I am 8 weeks) to take anything but Fibercon or Fiber Choice...I have tried the Fiber Choice and it was terrible tasting (I tried orange) and am planning on getting Fibercon tonight, but was wondering if there is anything else you moms have tried...I am a picky eater, so I don't eat peaches or prunes, but will eat pineapples and pears and have been drinking the juices too...have been loading up on water...(problem was though, that the OB also had me on restrictions - as little walking as possible, no lifting over 10 lbs, etc b/c I am high risk)....what can I do - I am SO miserable!

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So What Happened?

Thank you all!
I decided to try eating a plum a day along with either some pineapple or some pears and I'm going to try the Fibercon as well.
I cannot use the miralax because my OB said I'm still too early for that...plus, I've tried it and (a) didn't like it and (b) it didn't work for me. I'm hoping once I get past the 12 week mark I can take something more to make me go to the bathroom more regularily.
(oh, and for the person who suggested, I am taking a prenatal with a stool softner, but I believe it has some iron in it too).

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J.C.

answers from Chicago on

I remember getting a prenatal vitamin with stool softener. You could also try taking a prenatal that does not have iron for a few days and see if that helps.

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M.J.

answers from Sacramento on

Benefiber makes an invisible fiber supplement you mix with water. Can't taste it, I swear. Also, consider eating yogurt, esp. greek yogurt (which is wonderful, by the way). They have probiotics, which can get your system back on track.

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B.

answers from Augusta on

when my kids are stopped up I give them blueberries.

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N.B.

answers from Bangor on

I would recommend going to your local health food store. They usually have things there that are safe for you to use while you're pregnant. I also suffer from constipation, so I know what that's like.
Also, I would recommend talking to some midwives. They are usually really good at suggesting things that are healthy and safe for you to take while pregnant for being constipated, iron deficient, and whatever else might be wrong. (I'm anemic, too.)
I hope this helped you!

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I have heard that if you eat O. orange every day, you will stay regular. Could be worth a try! Pears and pear juice or white grape juice is what I always gave my son when he was constipated...it always worked. Good luck!

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A.V.

answers from Billings on

Miralax works wonders. It's also a non-tasting, clear powder that you can add to any drink. It used to be available only by prescription. My pediatrician recommended for my son before he was two so I'm pretty sure being pregnant you could take it, but I recommend asking a pharmacist first.

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R.J.

answers from El Paso on

This is a doozy and I know the feeling. I ended up in the hospital one time I was so constipated. Had tried all the remedies and what worked for me was an enema. Disgusting but it did get things moving. Works for kids too, my son was 4 mon old and nothing was moving. We lubricated a Q-tip and inserted it slightly with a little pressure, he was pooping within 5 min. Just gotta get things moving. Hopefully you'll find some relief soon!

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T.C.

answers from Minneapolis on

Try blueberries, strawberries, prune juice (not good but hold your breath and slam a glass a day), broccoli, and there a lot of high fiber cereals out there that are very good, high fiber bread, yogurt. There are a lot of foods you can eat to help. I get that way to and the high fiber cereal i find works pretty good for me. Good luck, its not fun i know.

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D.W.

answers from Indianapolis on

Oh, I had the bad constipation issues during chemo. It's an awful feeling - especially when it's combined with hemorrhoids.

Yes, fiber will help with regularity, and vegetable inulin (main ingredient in Fiber Sure, Fiber One, etc) is a good way to get you going.

In my case during chemo, I was on daily Senna (Senacot is the name brand, senna is the active ingredient). It is vegetable based, but you should check with your OB/GYN and pharmacist to see if it's recommended during the first trimester.

The other product most widely recommended (I spent 9 years in pharmaceutical sales calling upon Primary Care providers) is Miralax. Again, you'd want to check to see if it's recommended during pregnancy.

You may also want to ask about sugar alcohols (sorbitol is the most common for constipation and is widely given in hospitals) - again, I don't know their FDA indication for pregnancy, but it's worth a call to your pharmacist to see if they can look it up for you.

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N.C.

answers from Dallas on

I had a problem when I was pregnant too. Every morning I would eat either oatmeal, or Frosted Mini wheat ceral. Worked like clock work.
HTH

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R.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

You might find it totally disgusting, but to me this was much better than metamucil/fiber choice stuff.

The ingredient that is in most of those products is psyllium
(pronounced like silly-um) powder (it's actually husks of a seed I think). You can buy the plain stuff, unflavored from Trader Joe's or another health food store. Then mix it with fruit juice and drink it fast. Everytime I was constipated when I was pregnant with my son, I would drink it and I could always go when I woke up in the morning. It's all natural with no additives, all it is is pure fiberous plant product. So it can't hurt you in any way.

Good luck. I know it's no fun. :(

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D.M.

answers from Denver on

BERRIES - blueberries, strawberries, raspberries. Avoid dairy (can be constipating). Keep drinking the water too. And despite it's horrible taste - I agree with the other poster - slam a glass of prune juice a day. It works and is much better to deal w/ for a few minutes of bad taste than days of being constipated. Good luck.

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P.G.

answers from Dallas on

There is a really awesome cereal - it's like shredded wheat but with honey. I'm not a shredded wheat fan, but these were yummy. I believe they are Kashi brand - maybe the name is Autumn Wheat? Have it for breakfast every morning. Natural fiber and yummy!

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