Constipation....yuck...

Updated on August 22, 2007
J.R. asks from Overland Park, KS
20 answers

I hate to sound gross but I always get such good advice on this site, I thought I'd try again. I am recently pregnant with my 3rd (yeah!) but I am constipated (boo!) I eat a high fiber diet with mostly fruits and vegetables, all whole grain cereals, no meat as I get my proteins from eggs, beans, nuts etc. I did not have this issue with my first 2 and I am getting increasingly uncomfortable. I don't go to see my OB until the 23rd so I was wondering if any of you lovely ladies have some helpful tips to share. I would really appreciate holistic approaches as opposed to "medicines" as I really try not to put anything into my body while I'm pregnant that isn't natural/organic. Thanks in advance!!

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So What Happened?

Thanks to everyone and all of your wonderful advice. I have tried a handful of things and honestly what has worked the best was eating 2 pcs. of whole, skin-on fruit later on in the evening. An apple and a pear before bed and a morning run, I was ready to go!! Thanks again for all the advice I will keep it all in mind if the issue persists!

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K.T.

answers from Kansas City on

I have always had the same problem as well. I am 5 1/2 months pregnant myself. I have found something that works better than Metamucil. I love it. I would love to give you more info. I could give you a call.

K. Thompson
###-###-####
www.greatlifeformoms.com

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K.L.

answers from Kansas City on

Try prune juice mixed with apple juice, it masks the taste and the smell. My son used it and it got things moving so to speak.

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S.H.

answers from Kansas City on

Avoid dairy, eat as much fiber as you can stand, drink lots of water, and consider monthly hydro-colonics (a true blessing for me throughout my pregnancy last year). I recommend http://www.carolinescolonhealthcare.com/ ... Caroline is the BEST, and she has a special place in her practice for pregnant mammas.

Steff
:)

1 mom found this helpful
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A.

answers from Kansas City on

I am a mother of TWO boys BOTH pregnacies had same issues and my Dr. said Miralax which is now $9.99 at Walmart she said it was safe and NON-addictive. That helped me plus my normal fiber metamucil and of course LOTS of bannas LOTS of fruits works wonders on that part of your system. LOTS of water too. They say for a normal person 8-10 glasses a day so I drank 12 glasses a day while pregnant.

On the really gross issue talk to your Dr. right before you go to the hospital to have baby because an enema works wonders before labor if the issues continue.

Good luck!
A.

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S.D.

answers from St. Joseph on

I know it sound silly but Gerber makes a great product to help with this. You know how they have those individual juices in the baby isle. They are 100% pure and not from concentrate, best you can get. Well they make an apple - prune juice blend to help with babies who get a bit bound up. I am willing to bet that two a day until you get back on track, and then one a day from there on out should give your digestive track a gentle nudge. It may take a day or two to see full effect, but you want something natural and gentle that won't put everything out of wack. I had the same problem while pregnant and had to eats prunes because i couldn't tolerate the juice. Plus it was just too strong and gave me painful gas. I recently had a new bout and since i was out of prunes i tried one of my sons juices and it did the trick. With a better taste and much less gas. Hope this helps.

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W.B.

answers from Kansas City on

Hi J.,
I just wanted to add that I had this problem with my 4th pregnancy. I used glycerin suppositories and I ate yogurt one a day. I ate the A&E and there was one other. I tried the prune juice and there was no way, just the smell made me gag, I didn't even have morning sickness. The suppositories work the best and the easiest. Anyway hope you find some relief, soon. W.

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L.K.

answers from Kansas City on

Hi J.!

As a woman who has suffered with IBS all of my life, I feel for you. You might try some yogurt or Acidolphilus. It is a wonderful product. Taking it can take a few days to help you regulate but once you do then the constant use is very beneficial. You do not become addicted and it is an all natural enzyme. It can be purchased in WalMart, Osco, Walgreens and most other places.

Another good thing is LOTS of water and walking/low impact aerobics/Pilates. Sometimes the body needs some movement to help it along. Sounds weird but kind of like a dog who goes in circles and walks forever before it does its thing. As a last resort you can try enemas or stool softners but they are a bit uncomfortable.

If you do not have some relief soon, you should contact your doctor. It is not safe to be so constipated. You do not want to injure yourself or cause an infection.

I hope this helps. :)

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S.H.

answers from St. Joseph on

I feed my son applesauce twice a day when it gets, and when its bad a glass of apple juice too.

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S.B.

answers from Kansas City on

Milk of Magnesia was recommended to me by my OB. It has natural ingredients, works quickly and doesn't cause cramping. I also suggest you drink as much as possible-water is the best.

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M.B.

answers from Springfield on

Increase your water to 8 16oz glasses a day. That is 4 liters. It seems like a lot but it will help. The other thing that really helped me was raisan bran cereal and apple juice. Good luck.
M.

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S.D.

answers from Springfield on

Try Activia yogurt. They have a 2-week guarantee that you'll be regular or they'll refund your yogurt. I have used this with my daughter, and it really works. They have a prune flavor that seems to work especially well and it is her favorite flavor, too! Good luck!

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J.T.

answers from Kansas City on

Hi J. trying eating some apples or I know sounds gross but get some prunes they have flavored ones. Try one of those before you take any meds. or the counter. Good luck
J.

M.G.

answers from Dallas on

WATER! WATER! WATER!
Before adding a bunch of harsh juices or laxatives, most of the time it is because we are not drinking enough water. Pregnant women need more water especially during these hot summers when we are getting the moisture sucked right out of us. When I was pregnant I was drinking about a gallon of water a day. It isn't an easy task to accomplish but, with almost certainty, drinking more water will help with many other ailments you may encounter with your pregnancy.
I am a mother of five and I can tell you from experience that you will never stop learning something new from each pregnancy and, it doesn't get easier because you've done this before. Most of the time you get yet another sympton that you didn't get before.
Good Luck and God Bless,
M.

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S.S.

answers from Springfield on

When I was pregnant I had to change my "whole grain" cereal to either Shredded Wheat or Raisin Bran. They were the only two that would help with constipation. If all else failed, try Fibercon, it's bulk fiber in a tablet, and not a "medicine" really. Oh, and drink LOTS Of water and stay away from caffeinated products, even iced tea. :)

Hope this helps. I had three babies, this is what worked for me.
S.

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C.P.

answers from Kansas City on

Hi J., All the suggestions are great, but along with those I have 2 suggestions. One is while lying down, take both hands using your fingers & pushing down, rubbing in a clockwise & then counterclockwise in a spiral around your stomach, intestines. There's about 25 feet rolled up inside!! Just keep massaging! Do twice a day. Also, you can get glycerin suppositories at the drug store.They soften up the stool & keep ya moving. I had nausea my whole pregnancy & eating, drinking that stuff was not an option. Also, whenever my kids were constipated (even as little babies), it worked like a charm. Feel better & good luck, C.

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S.M.

answers from Kansas City on

With my first pregnancy, I bought some metamucil powder, opened it, looked at it, thought "oh yuck" - and I guess it scared my system into moving. lol

And then I discovered that mexican food worked wonders for me. That only worked while I was pregnant, which is strange, but I ended up eating a lot of tacos that pregnancy.

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L.K.

answers from Springfield on

Prune juice will work. Hot coffee works great, too. One cup can do the trick. Decaf or regular, it doesn't matter. Nurses often tell people to drink hot coffee to get things moving. I worked with some nurses that would tell people to have one prune juice and one cup of coffee. If that didn't work then they would call the doctor. They rarely had to call the doctor.

A.S.

answers from Kansas City on

Have you tried prunes or prune juice yet? I also took a couple of the metamusil capsules when prunes didn't work, my doctor said those were just fine.

M.A.

answers from Kansas City on

Hi J.,

It so common while pregnant! There are two things that I know that work, one is Colace that they say it's safe but I would call the doctor or nurse and ask anyway.
What I used to do and I asked my doctor when I was pregnant is put some mineral oil in my dinner salad, about a teaspoon or more if needed, usually it helps a lot the next morning. You have to be careful with this though, some people gets diarreah with it.... not me!
Also activia yoghurt is great if you eat one every day.

Hope it helps!

Mariana Abadie
www.MyKidsFirst.com

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M.P.

answers from Kansas City on

i know it sounds odd. but i found sunflower seeds to be a great help while i was pregnant with my son... a hanful did wonders. Of course, lots of water as well. Good luck.

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