Severe constipation - TMI warning!

[tracymom1]

I am 25 weeks along and have been wrestling with constipation for the entire pregnancy so far.  I have tried a whole truckload of things, and currently I am:

taking extra magnesium

drinking about 60-80 oz of water a day, and a couple cups of tea, occasionally a glass of milk 

exercising on the treadmill and doing yoga every other day

eating lots of veggies and some fruit (usually the fruit I eat is apples and blueberries - sometimes a grapefruit in the morning)

low dairy intake

started a stool softener on Wednesday - Saturday now with no results

I do not eat meat and stopped all caffeine about 3 weeks ago (herbal tea in the morning)

I rarely have the urge to go, and when I do it's about a quarter-sized amount with a lot of mucus.  I work hard for it and it is such a little bit!  Maybe every week or so I will have what looks like a "normal" BM, but it really doesn't help with the uncomfortableness in my tummy.  I tried an enema a few weeks ago and it helped, but the constipation resumed the following days.  I heard that epsom salt baths help because the mag is absorbed by the skin, but we don't have a bath-friendly bathtub so I have not been able to do this.

I am drinking so much water that I actually do not leave my house some days because I NEED to be near a bathroom because I HAVE to pee every 10 minutes!!  It is driving me crazy.

Am I just doomed to feel this way for the rest of my pregnancy?  I have never really had this problem in the past.  I am not sure what I am doing wrong!!  Help!!!

[HawaiianBlesing]

I too am now struggling with this issue.  The other day it was sooooo bad that it actually hurt to sit down.  I've started on Psyllium Husk Fiber which has seemed to help quite a bit. 

Before that it was just hard pebbles.  I used to suffer from constipation a long time ago but them finally got a handle on it.

I'm afraid to use the bathroom anywhere but home because lately every time I go the toilet ends up clogged.  Embarrassing

I also try to eat an apple before bed and drink a glass of water after it.

Hope you get some relief soon.  I finally did and can't tell you how amazing I feel.  I think I lost 5 lbs.

[clutterbug]

Have you tried a glycerin suppository?  That's what my midwife recommended during my last pregnancy for desperate times.  It's not particularly fun but since it targets what's *right there* it can be more effective at softening than taking a stool softener orally (when you are really backed up, that stool softener might not be making it all the way to the plugged up spot, kwim?).

I feel for you.  I am dealing with mild constipation right now and even that is not much fun, so I can only imagine how uncomfortable you feel.  I hope you get relief soon.

ETA:  probiotics, too, maybe...?  It's one of those things that is good for you no matter what...

[Blanca78]

I have not had it that bad, but the one time I was so backed up I was actually worried about my health/impacted bowel, etc., a glycerin suppository worked wonders. They make a kind that you can sort of inject up there so you don't actually have to insert it yourself--that's what I used.

Also, I just started making smoothies with ripe bananas, flax seed, and yogurt (plus whatever frozen fruit or juice I had on hand) and those helped--but it sounds like you might be beyond merely dietary solutions. I also take a stool softener twice a day.

Finally, have you checked the iron in your prenatals--there are types of iron you can supplement with that don't back you up as much--different types of prenatals have different types of iron supplements in them.

[Twinklefae]

Fiber - I started eating Shredded Wheat and took a fiber supplement (Benefiber chewable)

Fish oil supplements

i swear they got things moving again when I swore I was plugged up for good!

[Jayray]

I had been really constipated, too, and I started eating a bowl of granola every day (homemade--mostly oats, sunflower seeds, coconut).  It really helped.  I think something about the whole grains does it for me.  I hope you find something that works for you!!  It really is the worst.

[tracymom1]

Thanks, mamas!  I have been known to use a suppository every now and again - they only mildly seem to work - I can get out some, but nothing major.  I am also pretty confident that I am getting enough fiber - I eat a lot of fiber rich foods and take a barley/wheatgrass green drink every day that has a ton of fiber.  Maybe too much fiber, IDK 

I was able to go a little today (and oddly, I ate like total crap yesterday so maybe that's the key for me! High-fat, not high-fiber, lol!!).  I think I am just going to keep trying everything I know and hopefully I will be able to go at least once or twice a week.  I wish I liked prunes!  I just hate those little suckers!

[PAgreenmama]

i love my chia seeds!  i started taking a spoonful every morning when i was 20 weeks and i haven't had a problem with constipation since!  

[geekgolightly]

prunes! i used to think they were gross, but that was before i actually ate one. they are yummy bites of goodness and really go help me stay regular. if i eat four or five of them daily that can really clear me up.

[Dot-to-Dot]

There might be something to what you said about eating like crap!  I was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome years ago and I would always explain to the doctors that for some reason "things" went better after a big salty, fatty meal of McDonald's.  I'm not a fast food kind of person now that I've been on this health journey to fix IBS, but every now and then, especially when pregnant, I cave and have a fast food meal.  And it seriously makes me feel better!  Strange!

You're doing EVERYTHING they say to do!  Magnesium and extra water never worked for me either and the water drove me crazy because of the peeing.  I was so uncomfortable ALL the time because I always felt like I had to pee.

Stuff that helped me:

--I started some L-carnitine recently.  It has a gentle laxative effect and it seems to be working well for me.  It has many other added benefits for pregnancy as well.   I started taking it for reasons other than constipation and didn't even realize it had that benefit until a day or two later. 

--Also, I drink a homemade pregnancy tea with bulk herbs that seems to keep things moving.  It's either the nettle leaves or the red raspberry leaves, not sure which is responsible for keeping things moving. 

--Lastly, when I started drinking hot water every few hours, I noticed improvement.  I start with a hot cup of water 1st thing in the morning.  It's supposed to be very gentle on the kidneys and excellent at massaging the body awake (including the bowels).  Then I would help the peristalsis movement by doing it throughout the day.  I've grown to love my hot cups of water as much as a lovely cup of tea! 

[Dot-to-Dot]

Oh and I see someone else said, chia seeds.  Yes, I agree!  I make a homemade granola bar and I've been adding lots of chia seeds for protein and fiber.  I crumble it in some kefir with a small drizzle of real maple syrup.  It is DELICIOUS!  And I think the probiotics in kefir and the chia seeds are helping me stay regular.

[scottishmommy]

OP, have you tried digestive enzymes?

[LaurenAnanas]

I had the same thing around the same time and it totally got better!  But there was one really awful day that ended with a glove and some unpetroleum jelly. No details, but... It was horrible. I do not tend towards constipation, so it was a new, awful thing for me.

I'm back on track now, with a daily magnesium supplement, natural yogurt, prunes, water, and these incredible muffins:  http://www.farmgirlfare.com/2007/02/back-into-bran-muffins.html

Even if you're not constipated, I highly recommend that recipe: no refined sugar, no pre-made cereal, all whole grain, and the tastiest bran muffins I've ever had.

[othersomethings]

I started drinking "smooth move" tea, (basically senna) and it certainly worked within 12-18 hours. Only side effect was very painful intestinal cramps right before having a bowel movement. 

I'm so mad about the constipation thing because it's brought on hemorrhoids with a vengeance, aside from every other discomfort along with it. I've tried the prunes, the fiberous cereals, I'm already taking magnesium for something else, loads of beans, blah blah blah...

I went today and got some benefiber that i'm chugging in hopes that I can do the same thing the tea did without the cramping...we'll see how that works. I don't know if there are any side effects to taking too much benefiber. Whatever. I'm trying EVERYTHING because I do NOT want these stupid hemorrhoids to begin with, let alone within weeks if not days of pushing out a baby. That's going to be a nightmare down there as it is. 

[MamaChef]

Originally Posted by scottishmommy 

OP, have you tried digestive enzymes?

Ive tried pretty much everything but the glycerin suppositories that have been mentioned and NOTHING worked.  My problem wasnt really in the lower colon it was getting everything to digest through my body.  The digestive enzymes have been soo soo helpful.  If you have any stomach issues like ulcers or irritable bowel, dont take the ones with the HCL or they can excaberate them.  Also, sandwich the enzymes when you eat food.. dont take them at the beginning or the end of a meal or between meals.  I like the Super Enzymes by Now alot.

[tracymom1]

I may try the digestive enzymes... sounds interesting.  I already do take a probiotic, fish oil and the mag.  I stopped my prenatal because I didn't want the extra iron (I am taking a separate folic acid and choline also).  My only concern with the digestive enzymes is that they seem pretty intense - I am a little worried that they might have some kind of unpleasant effect (I seem to be rather sensitive when introducing new things like that).

 I am going to try the chia seeds and/or psylium husk.  No prunes!! Never!! Disgusting!!!!! Super-blech.  

Great advice, mamas.  Gives me a lot to think about!

[LindsayK]

Originally Posted by tracymom1 

 I am going to try the chia seeds and/or psylium husk.  No prunes!! Never!! Disgusting!!!!! Super-blech.  

I hear you on the prunes, but would you possibly consider trying the Sunsweet Plum Juice? I gave it a try when i was desperate, and not only did it work, it actually tasted pretty good. I would warm it up in the microwave and add a little cinnamon...

[AnnieA]

Originally Posted by LindsayK 

I hear you on the prunes, but would you possibly consider trying the Sunsweet Plum Juice? I gave it a try when i was desperate, and not only did it work, it actually tasted pretty good. I would warm it up in the microwave and add a little cinnamon...

I second the Sunsweet Plum juice. I cannot tolerate prune juice but the Plum juice is actually pretty good. Kind of reminds me of cranberry juice. It has blueberry juice and chicory root (I think??) so it's not straight plum juice. Probably not as effective as prune juice but if you drink enough of it, you will get results!

[fertilemyrtle]

I'm an au naturel kind of lady in general, but when it comes to constipation, there's a few CVS things I use!   (I also have enjoyed chia, omega 3's, and probiotics btw).

Citrucel powder in my first glass of water every morning, and in my last WHEN I'm going regularly.   Sounds like you are too backed up to be adding even more fiber right now.   So, skip this until you feel better.  

Milk of magnesia should get you going.   Lots of water.   Less fiber for a few days until you get a little more cleaned out.   Keep taking the stool softener if you feel like that's helping.

Once I'm working regularly, I drink a ton and make sure to eat fruits/veggies/fiber, but I also find that eating a little meat does help me.   I was severely constipated before pregnancy after my wedding (hello, stress) and an acupuncturist helped me understand that I needed meat in my diet (was basically a veg) and maybe less gluten.   It worked, along with the above recommendations.

Good luck!

[IdentityCrisisMama]

I suffer from constipation as well.  What seems to be working for me is a stool softener when it's been a while since I've gone and then a glycerine suppository as soon as I get the urge, which I kind of hold in for as long as I can.  

I also take Mag Citrate pills at nigh - for relaxation.  I wonder about the dosage for constipation relief.  Mag Citrate is sold in the pharmacy with the other old fashioned constipation meds.  Jt comes in liquid/soda form and must be a SUPER high dose.  I took it once and had liquid poo in about 24 hours.  It worked way too well to the point that I don't think it's safe as a constipation med at that dose for pregnant women.  

Oddly enough bananas have not contributed to constipation and seem to maybe even help.