whats goin on? *warning, possible TMI*

[amyjeans]

please take a moment to give me your 2 cents. I am 32 weeks, due Dec 5th. I haven't pooped in 2 days, and want to desparately. I am on iron plus prenatal and feel the urge so bad all day, but cannot open up to poop. Tonight I decided to assist with an enema. No dice. nothing moved and to make matters worse, my body began pushing...like labor...like I remember. I panicked and worked really hard to settle down, and I am calm now, but my vagina is way swollen (I felt no head) but have intense pressure, my pelvis feels completely open and disjointed- like labor, and my tummy is rock hard. No waves of contractions though, just a strong desire to push.
the pushing feeling is over now, but I still am in so much discomfort, and am worried I might have started a chain reaction (like a butthead!)

I normally have big babies and perhaps it wouldn't be a big deal if he/she came sooner than later.

I got about 2 hrs of sleep last night because I can't poop, and I am losing my mind!!
Any ideas on what;s happening? Am I freaking out for no reason, or is this a concern? I never felt this with the other UC babies.

Thanks for your input! Sorry for the graphics.

[BunnySlippers]

I do not know what is going on, but what about eating foods that make you poop?
Off the top of my head I can think of coffee, oil of oregano, fruit (especially peaches), bran muffins, chia seeds.... and drink more water than you normally would.
Hope you resolve this soon.

[sosurreal09]

i resorted to mineral oil...idk if people even take that anymorebut i did growing up so thats what i did when i was constipated

[EllyMayMomma]

Add grape juice and prune juice to your list. Get a prenatal that does not have iron to take until this is resolved as extra iron is very constipating.

Chances are, that strong desire to push is just your body needing to poop, not to push the baby out. Your baby is safe where he or she is and pushing when you are not in labor won't start labor.

BUT just because your baby may be big for 32 weeks, it does not mean he or she would be more mature than any other baby born that early. I took care of a 5 lb 32 week baby and he was on the ventilator right along side the 3 lb baby. If you ever think you are in labor and you are under what ever age you consider term (around 37 weeks, normally) don't hesitate to seek help. (I am pro UC as long as a baby is not premature.)

[kittywitty]

Originally Posted by EllyMayMomma

BUT just because your baby may be big for 32 weeks, it does not mean he or she would be more mature than any other baby born that early. I took care of a 5 lb 32 week baby and he was on the ventilator right along side the 3 lb baby. If you ever think you are in labor and you are under what ever age you consider term (around 37 weeks, normally) don't hesitate to seek help. (I am pro UC as long as a baby is not premature.)

Amen to this!

If you are in that much pain or worried, I would recommend a walk in clinic or ER just to put your mind at ease. It sounds like some bad constipation. I would also stop taking the iron. It is seriously constipating. Start with some magnesium and something like Floravital for iron instead of regular iron supplements.

If you are sure it's not ptl, I would go for a long walk or swim, take a full dosage of mama calm magnesium, drink a big cup of coffee (this helps a lot of people with constipation), and drink tons and tons of water.

But if you are compacted, nothing is helping, and even with an enema nothing is coming out, I'd be worried about bowel damage and go to a hcp or clinic for some help.

[amyjeans]

thanks so much!
i agree, both dh and I feel that if I say- lets go- we are off to the er. the baby is kicking and partying (yay!) in my belly. Now I am calmed down, but get the urge to poop, and I sit, and go through the urges, but nothing substantial is coming out.
I am eating raisins, almonds, drinking tons of water and finding a peaceful place. Now I feel like I am holding back it seems, and am afraid to let go and let my body release.

[amyjeans]

oh, I also did some natural calm 2x today, about 1 tbsp. hope this works.

[dayiscoming2006]

I read eating bananas can help too.

[amyjeans]

well, I am feeling a bit better- had some relief last night and plan on doing natural calm every day. I need to keep up the iron, because I am anemic.
thanks for all your input!!

[southernmommie]

I took liquid Flouradix for my iron. You absorb more of it than pill form of any iron. And don't eat or drink the foods that inhibit iron absorbtion.

[kittywitty]

Originally Posted by southernmommie

I took liquid Flouradix for my iron. You absorb more of it than pill form of any iron. And don't eat or drink the foods that inhibit iron absorbtion.

This is what I take, also. Floravital has no angelica in it, but is a good non-constipating iron supplement. Do not take iron around the time you consume calcium!

I'm glad you feel better, OP!

[amyjeans]

okay- gotta get that stuff asap.

[HappyMommy2]

When I was on slow-fe (iron supplement that isn't floradix) I took it with one prune everyday. A prune works like magic for any constipation issues. (Don't take too many, or you will get all crampy and poopy!) And if you drink prune juice, just do a small cup, not a giant glass!!

[rajahkat]

Glad you are feeling a bit better amyjeans! I've had rotten times with constipation when pregnant. I second the recommendation to switch to a nonconstipating iron supplement if you need the iron.

And remember to drink plenty of fluids. When you are dehydrated at all, the body pulls water from the bowel contributing to constipation. Sometimes just increasing fluids is enough to help some women with constipation.

Take care!
Kat

[amyjeans]

thanks again for your input!! getting floradix and more natural calm! I definately am dehydrated because I am having contrax.
uggh, only 8 weeks left?